Larry Hand, the mayor of Leichhardt, faces a tough reelection battle in 1994. The documentary captures the final weeks of the local council's mayoral elections in Sydney. Filmmakers Bob Connolly and Robin Anderson gain access to private meetings among Hand and his Labor Party rivals. As tensions rise, ambitions clash and alliances shift. The film presents a detailed account of the political maneuvering and personal conflicts that shape local governance. It offers a candid look at the dynamics of power in Australian politics.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

See Larry Hand's political strategies in action.
Meet the key players of the 1994 Leichhardt elections.
Find out how local politics shaped Australian culture.

Did You Know

Rats in the Ranks won the Silver Plaque for Social/Political Documentary in 1996.
The film grossed $200,000 at the Australian box office.
It was screened at over forty film festivals.
The documentary won the Critics Choice Award for Documentary at the Sydney Film Festival in 1996.

Perfect For

Local Australian politicsElection campaignsDocumentary enthusiasts

Read full Deep Dive →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed Rats in the Ranks?

Rats in the Ranks was directed by Bob Connolly and Robin Anderson.

What awards did Rats in the Ranks win?

Rats in the Ranks won multiple awards, including the Silver Plaque for Social/Political Documentary at the Chicago International Film Festival in 1996 and the Critics Choice Award for Documentary at the Sydney Film Festival in 1996.

How much did Rats in the Ranks gross at the box office?

Rats in the Ranks grossed $200,000 at the box office in Australia.

Awards & Festivals

Sydney Film Festival

1996 • Official selection

Chicago International Film Festival

1996 • Official selection

Awards & Festivals

Comments

What are people saying?

Rate this film:

7.8/ 10(4 ratings)• TMDB

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