Joh: Last King of Queensland

Jun 7, 2025

1h 39m

★ 0.0

A captivating and cautionary portrait of one of Australia’s most controversial politicians, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, whose career can be seen as a playbook for the Trump era.

Overview

Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen reigned over Queensland for 19 tumultuous years (1968–1987). Hugely popular, he presided over enormous growth, but corruption raged under his tenure, as did electoral manipulation and often violent suppression of dissent. This film tells Joh’s story through rare archival footage and revelatory interviews, exploring a life shaped by a hard yakka, god-fearing upbringing on his family’s farm. Trump’s spectre is evoked in Joh’s famously mangled and meandering way of speaking – brilliantly dramatised by Richard Roxburgh – alongside his unyielding execution of power and the desperate denial of his final days in office.

Genres

Documentary

Joh: Last King of Queensland Trailers

Cast

Himself

Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Self

Matthew Condon

Self

Bob Katter

Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Richard Roxburgh

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0.0

Takeover

Jan 1, 1980

About Aborigines and Australian politics. On 13 March 1978 the Queensland Government announced its intention to take over management of the Aurukun Aboriginal Reserve from the Uniting Church. The people of Aurukun complained bitterly, believing that the Church was more sympathetic to their aims and fearing that the State was merely seeking easier access to the rich bauxite deposits on their Reserve. When the Federal Government took the side of the Aborigines the stage was set for national confrontation. Shows the situation at Aurukun during those crucial three weeks.

0.0

The Campaign

Nov 21, 1996

Follow Australian politician Paul Keating's 1996 election campaign told from the perspective of Santo Cilauro who traveled in the media pool.

0.0

Men Of Capricorn

Jan 1, 1965

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0.0

Fantome Island

Jul 13, 2011

In 1945, at the age of seven, a young Joe Eggmolesse was diagnosed with Leprosy. He was immediately removed from his family and home and transported under police escort over a thousand kilometres to be confined on an island for the treatment of the disease. For the next ten years, a leprosarium for Aboriginal people became his home. A lush tropical idyll off the north east coast of Australia, Fantome Island was the home to a close knit community of indigenous 'lepers' who made the most of their existence as people living on the fringes of the marginalised. Now as a 73 year old Joe reflects on his indelible Fantome years. His incredible, poignant story offers a profound insight into one of Australia's hidden histories.

6.0

Blurred

Mar 12, 2002

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7.0

He Died with a Felafel in His Hand

Aug 30, 2001

A search for love, meaning and bathroom solitude. Danny goes through a series of shared housing experiences in a succession of cities on the east coast of Australia. Together these vignettes form a narrative that is surprisingly reflective.

5.4

The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course

Jul 26, 2002

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6.7

Swimming Upstream

Feb 27, 2003

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6.5

Police Story 4: First Strike

Feb 10, 1996

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0.0

Granite Highway

Sep 1, 2025

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5.2

The Delinquents

Dec 21, 1989

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6.3

Gettin' Square

Oct 9, 2003

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4.3

Rikky and Pete

Jun 9, 1988

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5.6

Dark Age

May 21, 1987

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6.8

The Riddle of the Stinson

Jul 25, 1988

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5.9

Age of Consent

May 13, 1969

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6.1

Paperback Hero

Mar 25, 1999

An Australian truck driver writes romance novels. His engaged, tomboyish, crop duster best friend's name, Ruby Vale, is unasked used as author. Complications arise when his novel takes off. Will they remain friends or...?

Joh: Last King of Queensland

Overview

Genres

Joh: Last King of Queensland Trailers