The Getting of Wisdom (film)

The Getting of Wisdom is a 1977 Australian film directed by Bruce Beresford and based on the 1910 novel of the same title by Henry Handel Richardson.
The film is set in 1890s Victoria, when Laura (Susannah Fowle) enters an exclusive Melbourne ladies' college based on Presbyterian Ladies' College. The film follows her struggle for acceptance, conformity, romance, friendship and achievement over the next four years. Lesbian overtones between a schoolgirl and a music teacher are made explicit in the film, more so than in Richardson’s novel.
It also starred Barry Humphries, John Waters and Terence Donovan, and featured early career appearances by Kerry Armstrong, Sigrid Thornton, Noni Hazlehurst, Maggie Kirkpatrick and Julia Blake.
A musical theme runs through the story, with piano works by Beethoven, Schubert and Thalberg played by Sarah Grunstein.
Plot.
Laura Rambotham is sent to attend boarding school in Melbourne at the turn of the century. During her second year she tells everyone about a made-up romance between herself and the school's minister, Reverend Shepherd. She forms an attachment with her music teacher, Evelyn. When Evelyn leaves, Laura throws herself into her studies and wins the school literary and music prizes.
Production.
Bruce Beresford wanted to make the film after "The Adventures of Barry McKenzie" (1972) and tried to get finance from Reg Grundy. Grundy said he would think about it if Beresford made a McKenzie sequel. Beresford made "Barry McKenzie Holds His Own" (1974) but Grundy declined to make "Wisdom".
The film was the first production from the newly formed Victorian Film Corporation, who provided $100,000 with additional funding from the Australian Film Commission and the Nine Network. Six thousand girls were interviewed for the school pupil roles. It was shot at the Methodist Ladies' College and in the town of Eddington in January and February 1977.
Box office.
"The Getting of Wisdom" grossed $982,000 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $4,517,200 in 2009 dollars.
Awards.
"The Getting of Wisdom" was nominated for five AFI Awards in 1978 and won in the Best Adapted Screenplay (Eleanor Witcombe) category.