This work investigates the development and evolution of the Australian film industry from the turn of the 20th century through 1977. Authors Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper provide a comprehensive historical account, utilizing extensive archival research and primary documentation to map the growth of domestic production. The text argues that the Australian cinematic landscape was shaped by unique cultural, economic, and political pressures that defined its distinct national identity during this period.

Experts and film historians frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for understanding the early decades of Australian cinema. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a thorough and well-documented record of a previously under-researched subject area.