King of the Coral Sea

STARRING: CHIPS RAFFERTY, BUD TINGWELL, ROD TAYLOR

When Ted King, Captain of a pearling lugger discovers a body floating in the Torres Strait, he becomes unwittingly embroiled in a people smuggling plot. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery he is joined by his first mate, Jack Janeiro and the recently arrived owner of the pearling company, city playboy Peter Merriman. Merriman has to prove himself worthy, not only to the crew but also to win the affections of Ted's daughter, Rusty.

Produced by and starring Australian film legend Chips Rafferty (The Overlanders), this romantic action packed adventure features Rod Taylor (The Birds) in his first feature film role, Ilma Adey and Charles 'Bud' Tingwell as the dashing Merriman.

The film was beautifully shot around the exotic locations of Queensland's Thursday Island and the Torres Strait, including scenes of the pearling industry at that time. Director Lee Robinson had earlier made Pearlers, The a short documentary about pearl diving off Broome, and was keen to revisit this theme for his second feature film. The underwater diving sequences were all filmed off Green Island, near Cairns.

King of the Coral Sea was a box office success on first release and stands the test of time as an exciting matinee thriller.

DIGITALLY REMASTERED BY NFSA