The Mango Tree (film)

The Mango Tree is a 1977 Australian drama film directed by Kevin Dobson and starring Geraldine Fitzgerald and Sir Robert Helpmann. Lead actor Christopher Pate is the son of actor Michael Pate who also produced the film.

Michael Pate was a neighbour of Robert McKie, who wrote the novel. Pate opted it and tried to find a writer to adapt it into a screenplay but ended up doing it himself. The budget was raised from the Australian Film Commission, GUO Film Distributors and the Bundaberg Sugar Company the latter invested a third of the total sum. The budget was originally 650,000 but production of the film was delayed bymonths by which time inflation meant it had risen to 800,000.Michael Pate originally wanted to direct the film himself but the AFC did not want him to write, produce and direct, so insisted he find a director. Pate proposed Michael LindsayHogg, son of Geraldine Fitzgerald, who was unable to do it. Bruce Beresford almost directed until the South Australian Film Corporation, who had the director under contract, intervened and prohibited him from making it. Then in February 1977, two months before shooting was to begin, Pate hired Kevin Dobson. ........

Source: Wikipedia