Where Angels Fear To Tread (1997)

Documentary, Biography, Health

Length: 55 minutes 8 seconds

Synopsis

Northern Territory medical practitioner Dr Philip Nitschke assisted terminally ill patients to die after the Northern Territory passed the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. Seventy five percent of Australians support euthanasia but the federal parliament, through the Andrews Bill, later overturned the Northern Territory bill. The film explores the political situation in 1995–96 through the point of view of Dr Nitschke.

Curator’s notes

A politically interesting film that examines the workings of a senate committee and the parliament in enacting legislation. It also graphically examines the frustration of a doctor trying to terminate the suffering of his patients.

Writer, director Nicola Woolmington’s credits include, Einstein’s Wife, Paying for the Past, Sky Trackers And Searching.

Production company Annamax Media
Producer Penny Robins
Executive producer (ABC) Mike Rubbo
Director Nicola Woolmington
Writer Nicola Woolmington
Composer Martin Armiger
Cast Annette Blonski
Tony Stevens
Nicola Woolmington

Acknowledgements

Produced in association with the ABC.

Produced with the assistance of the Film Finance Corporation.

australian screen