OPINION — When I think about The Castle, I think of it as the little movie that could.
The low-budget, unassuming Aussie flick came out in 1997, the same year as Hollywood blockbusters like Titanic, Men in Black and My Best Friend’s Wedding, to name a few.
No one thought this story of one man’s fight against the government to protect his family home would become a cultural phenomenon in Australia – yet, it did.
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To this day, The Castle is just as amazing to watch as it was almost 29 years ago.
It’s one of the best movies ever made. The quotes, the characters, the humour – everything works, and no other movie has even come close.
There’s many reasons why this movie is so special and still adored by millions, so I thought I’d dive into a few:
1. It captures the Australian spirit like no other
The Castle isn’t just a story about a Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton) fighting to keep his home. It’s a story about who we are as Australians.
Home ownership has always been important to us, and in a time when property prices have made this increasingly difficult, it’s heartwarming to see someone who has managed to achieve it in his own special way.
The film elevates the idea that a house isn’t just bricks and mortar – it’s a home, a symbol of our sanctuary and the heart of family life.
2. It’s hilariously quotable
When I was asked to interview some of the cast of The Castle this week – Michael Caton, Stephen Curry and Anthony Simcoe – I jumped at the chance, and immediately began quoting some of the movie’s most famous lines.
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Some of my colleagues recognised them, others weren’t as familiar. But 9honey readers certainly were, flooding our social media posts with quotes they know, love and still use today from the movie.
These included, “Tell him he’s dreaming”, “Straight to the pool room”, “How’s the serenity?” and “It’s not a house, it’s a home.”
Then there’s the family lawyer, the humble Dennis Denuto, who tries to rely on “Mabo” and “the vibe” to defend his client’s home.
Absolutely iconic.
3. It’s a love letter to family
The Kerrigans are an unapologetically suburban Melbourne family who don’t have a lot of money, but what they have they treasure.
At their heart is Darryl (Caton) the ever-optimistic patriarch, a man whose unwavering love for his family knows no bounds.
His wife, Sal (Anne Tenney) is the warm, steady anchor. Their eldest, Tracey (Sophie Lee), is the newlywed hairdresser, navigating married life with her kickboxer husband, Con (Eric Bana).
Then there’s the youngest brothers – Steve (Simcoe), the family “ideas man” who is always looking for a bargain buy in The Trading Post, and Dale (Curry) the quiet observer who knows just how lucky they are.
Wayne (Wayne Hope), despite being in prison for armed robbery, misses his family a lot and spends his time staring at a photo of them, dreaming of a day he is released.
No matter what situation they find themselves in, the love always remains and any achievement – big or small – is celebrated.
Then there are the scenes of their family dinners, with Dale complimenting his wife’s cooking most nights, including her rissoles, sponge cake and chicken with “seasoning”.
He never forgets how lucky he is and by openly expressing this in front of his family, they never do either.
In the face of extraordinary hardship, this a family that loves each other. Everyone wants a family who loves and accepts them for exactly who they are, and that is what the Kerrigans do.
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4. It’s nostalgic and iconic
From the cul-de-sac in Coolaroo to the backyard BBQ, the greyhound races, the powerlines, The Trading Post, and the neighbours next door, The Castle is drenched in Aussie suburbia.
The film isn’t trying to be Hollywood. It doesn’t pretend.
And because of that, it achieves a kind of authenticity and humour that resonates not only with Australians but with anyone who’s ever been part of a small, proud community.
5. It changed Australian cinema
The Castle proved you don’t need a massive budget, international stars, or sweeping landscapes to make a great Australian film.
You just need heart, humour, and an understanding of the people you’re writing about.
The movie was written and produced by the Aussie production company Working Dog, also responsible for the film The Dish and as well as TV series including Frontline and Utopia.
Working dog was formed by Australian actors Santo Cilauro, Rob Sitch, Jane Kennedy, Tom Gleisner, and producer Michael Hirsh.
This team knew Australia, and their success as film and TV makers showcase this perfectly.
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The Castle was made for just $750,000, a low amount for any movie. In comparison, Titanic, which came out that same year, had a budget of US$200m ($303m).
The investment into the little movie that could was well worth it, making just over $10m at the Australian box office and a further US$6m ($8m) in the states.
Final thoughts
This week, when I sat down with Caton, Curry and Simcoe, listening to them share memories of filming the movie perfectly demonstrated the final reason this movie was a smash hit and continues to be adored.
“We knew it was good. We had no idea it would go off the way it went off,” the actor told me as he reunited with his on-screen sons for the first time in 25 years.
This was a cast that loved the script and believed in the movie. They thoroughly enjoyed reuniting to relive that special time.
And that’s not just sentimentality.
That’s the vibe.
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