Donald Crombie

Donald Charles Crombie (5 July 1942 – 25 March 2025) was an Australian film and television director. He is known for the films Caddie, The Irishman (1978), Cathy's Child (1979), Playing Beatie Bow (1986), and Selkie (2000), and also for his work on several TV series, including Flipper (1995–1997) and McLeod's Daughters (2001–2002).

Early life and education Donald Charles Crombie was born on 5 July 1942 in Brisbane, Queensland. and studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

Over his long career (as of 2008 – 46 years in total, with 35 years as a freelancer), he directed feature films, telemovies, mini-series, drama series, documentaries, and commercials, and also wrote film and television scripts.

Recognition and honours Crombie's 1967 short documentary Is Anybody Doing Anything About It? won a Silver Award at the Australian Film Awards (AFI Awards). In 1970, his film Personnel or People? won a Bronze Award in the Educational category of the AFI Awards In 1979, Cathy's Child was nominated for the AFI Award for Best Film.

His 1981 film The Killing of Angel Street premiered at the 32nd Berlin Film Festival, where it received an honourable mention. The couple had four children, three of whom worked in radio, theatre, or film. who went to school and was friends with Justin Kurzel.

Filmography

Feature films The Choice (1971) Caddie (1976) The Irishman (1978) (also writer) Cathy's Child (1979) The Killing of Angel Street (1981) Kitty and the Bagman (1983) Playing Beatie Bow (1986) Rough Diamonds (1994) (also writer) Selkie (2000)

Television Stacey's Gym (1973) Who Killed Jenny Langby? (1974; docudrama film; also co-writer) Do I Have to Kill My Child? (1976) (also writer) Cyclone Tracy (1986) (miniseries) The Heroes (1988) (miniseries) The Alien Years (1988) (miniseries) The Saint: Fear in Fun Park (1989) The River Kings (1991) (miniseries) Heroes II: The Return (1991) (miniseries) The Feds: Terror (1993) Time Trax (1993–1994) The Celluloid Heroes (1995) (documentary series) Flipper (1995–1997) Tales of the South Seas (1998) McLeod's Daughters (2001–2002)

Other Aircraft at Work (1966) (documentary) (also writer) Is Anybody Doing Anything About It? (1967) (short documentary for the Commonwealth Film Unit; also writer) Sailor (1968) (documentary) Top End (1968) (documentary) Our Land Australia (1972) (documentary) (also producer, co-writer) Robbery Under Arms (1985) (cinema and a television miniseries release)