BAZ LUHRMANN - AUSTRALIA BECOMES HOMELAND'S SECOND BIGGEST HIT

AUSTRALIA BECOMES HOMELAND'S SECOND BIGGEST HIT

BAZ LUHRMANN's World War II epic AUSTRALIA has become the the country's second highest grossing film of all time - despite the picture receiving a string of negative reviews.
The Moulin Rouge director spent four years and $130 million (£87.6 million) on the homage to his homeland - which stars Aussie actors Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
But the high profile stars and huge budget failed to impress film experts - who gave the movie a lukewarm reception upon its release last November (08).
However, the negative press failed to discourage consumers heading to theatres across Australia - putting it just behind Crocodile Dundee as the country's second biggest earning movie, taking in A$36,786,730 (U.S.$23,528,302/£16,596,280).
Twentieth Century Fox representative Marc Wooldridge says, "The on-going box office success of Australia has been outstanding, and a unique testament to the way the film has been embraced by this country."
Australia has grossed almost $200 million (£142 million) worldwide to date.