I wasn’t old enough to experience the phenomenon of Crocodile Dundee when first released in 1986 but now, as a wily movie veteran, I can appreciate its place in movie history. Its social impact was huge, but the most staggering statistic related to dollars. It’s been almost 40 years since it premiered in cinemas and yet, despite the impacts of inflation, no Australian film has surpassed its take at the local box office (it took in $47.7 million AUD).

Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee is an 87-minute documentary which serves as an epilogue to the original film’s success. It’s clearly targeted at existing fans but, if taking along younger friends, it may also generate first-time views of the Aussie classic and provide a worthy history lesson (not sure it’s taught in schools).  A recent 4K restoration, scheduled for a May 2025 cinema release, will help fuel that interest.

This film could be described as three distinct acts.  It opens with the background to the key players, is followed by the making/shooting of Crocodile Dundee, and closes with an exploration of its success and cultural legacy.  Many interviews are used, some current day and some archival, but the two key people featured are star Paul Hogan and his longtime collaborator, John Cornell.  Their inspiring friendship is at its heart, loving assembled by Cornell’s wife, Delvene Delaney, who serves as the documentary’s co-director.

There are wonderful titbits of information to leave you smiling – from the famous “this is a knife scene” and how they picked the right take… through to the way the movie was sold to Paramount for distribution in the United States.  It also serves as a homage to the craftspeople involved.  Hogan and Cornell had never made a movie before and so they hired an experienced crew to make up for their shortcomings.  In addition to obvious matters like casting, the film offers insight into the costumes, cinematography, and music score.

Above all else, Love of an Icon tells a bloody good rags-to-riches story.  Two little known actors from Australia with limited experience created, arguably, this country’s most successful movie.  Hogan won a Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy, they both earned an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay, mum-and-dad investors made bucketloads of cash, and it was the second highest grossing movie of 1986 in the United States (behind Top Gun).

Astutely edited by the experienced Paula Grusovin (the footage weaves together seamlessly), Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee is a great watch.