"Death in Brunswick", written by Boyd Oxlade, was first published as a novel in 1987. The story was based on his experiences as a cook in an inner suburban Melbourne rock'n'roll club and the time he spent as a grave digger at a local Melbourne cemetery. Digging by day, cooking by night, and somehow finding time to write on weekends, Oxlade wrote a remarkable first novel - a black comedy oozing with style, pathos, and merciless self-parody. Carl Fitzgerald (Sam Neill), one of life's major casualties, is in his thirties, leading a life that's heading nowhere. He lives in a ramshackle house, is out of a job, has been dumped by his wife, and has a domineering mother who insists on dropping in to tell him what a loser he is. But Carl is determined to change things. [further plot details snipped for those who haven't seen it] Through sheer determination and perseverance, and a bit of luck thrown in for good measure, Carl stumbles his way through the minefield that is his life. Love conquers all in this original offbeat treasure, and in the end, Carl, resplendent in tuxedo and neckbrace, finds true love. "When I first read the galleys of the book in 1986 I was immediately struck by its sense of humour and ribald anarchistic plot", said director John Ruane. "It only lacked one thing and that was a satisfactory ending. Boyd just decided one day that he's finish the book after lunch and dig a grave or two in the afternoon." Oxlade and Ruane wrote the first draft of the script together in late '87. That draft reflected strongly the tone of the book - dark, wonderfully vulgar, and packed with larger than life, but recognisable characters. Ruane wrote the next series of drafts with producer Timothy White acting as script editor. "We tried to make Carl more charming, hapless, a sort of innocent surrounded by thugs. A character who unknowingly takes everyone around him to the utmost limits of their tolerance and endurance and then asks them for a cup of tea," said White. The final script attracted the male leads, Sam Neill and John Clarke, with its inventiveness, irreverance, its humour, and anarchistic delights. Sam Neill describes Death in Brunswick as a weird psychodrama, a celebration of cultural diversity, an inner suburban nightmare, and three days in the life of an innocent fool. "Carl is like most of us; we're all kind of hapless people who muddle through life as best we can and Carl's life is an extreme muddle at this stage. At the same time he finds the redemption of love, something we all seek and need," Neill said. John Clarke plays Carl's friend Dave, "and boy does Carl need friends," says John Clarke. A long suffering and generous spirited man, his main function is to rescue Carl from the appalling circumstances which befall him through no fault of his own and to run a bit of damage control on Carl's life. The role of Carl's girlfriend in the film is played by Zoe Carides, best known for her appearances in tv series such as "Edge of the Wedge" and "Acropolis Now" and a series of popular television commercials. Phil Judd, who wrote the soundtrack, was a founding member of "Split Enz" and wrote the majority of the band's early material. He won an AFI award for his score for "The Big Steal", and also composed the score for Gillian Armstrong's feature "Starstruck". It was a very challenging assignment," said Philip. "...I even taught myself to play the Bazouki, in a very rudimentary fashion".