Bill Hunter – In tribute – Final Film from a legendary actor.

Australian premier horse racing is the setting for a new movie which will be release in cinemas across the country Thursday.  “The Cup” is based on the 2002 Melbourne cup winner’s jockey, Damian Oliver who rode Media Puzzle to victory, days after his brother was killed in a racing accident.   The late and great Aussie actor Bill Hunter plays Media Puzzle’s trainer, The King of The Track, Bart Cummings.

Bill Hunter died from Inoperable cancer with family and friends by his bedside in May, aged 71.  Star of stage and Screen for half a century, with roles in Aussie films such as Gallipoli, Newsfront, Muriel’s Wedding, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Strictly Ballroom.

Tributes flow after hearing of Mr. Hunter’s passing.  The PM, Julia Gillard who said, “Mr. Hunter played a key role as an acclaimed actor in helping to define Australian culture over five decades on screen and on stage,” she said.  “He told us Australian stories in an Australian voice at a time when we were debating and developing our sense of nation.

Russell Crowe remembers at age 6, his first on screen appearance working with Hunter on Spyforce.  Hunter was a supporting character on the show, Captain Pollock,
“Very sad to hear about Bill Hunter a Unique talent,” he tweeted.  “I first met Bill in 1970 on the set of Spyforce. Thanks for the entertainment mate, RIP.”

It was believed Bill lived like a true blue Aussie bloke, he smoked cigarettes and drank beer with his mates but accorded to ex-wife, Rhonda Roberts, Bill only had a beer at lunchtime and that was that.  Bill wasn’t an international star like Heath Ledger or Nicole Kidman, and Bill perhaps not had been the main star in most of his films, it seemed the majorly of Australian movies over the 30 years Bill Hunter supported the main actors.   In the Australian entertainer scene, Bill will be surly missed.  The Cup stars Steven Curry (who is known for his performance as Graham Kennedy in The King), Daniel MacPherson, Jodi Gordon, Shaun Micallef and Tom Burlinson .  Simon Wincer who directed “Phar Lap” in 1983 shows his passion for horses by making this film.  Simon goes horseriding on his farm everyday.