Perhaps not as well known as some of the other early long distance pilots, Charles Kingsford Smith is credited with the first lengthy Pacific flights, and going between Australia and New Zealand which I guess isn't as easy as it sounds, especially in the 1920's. Ron Randell, an Australian born actor who had some success in American films and on television, plays Smith (nickname Smithy), a hero in World War I who decided to use his flying experience to expand commercial flights. He is dissuaded from his dreams at first, but that doesn't stop him, and this would lead to his early death ironically the same year that Will Rogers and Wiley Post passed away while flying.

This Australian film was one of their first major releases, released by Columbia, and quite above average. Randell is excellent, quite distinguished and handsome, and it's the type of part had it been an American film and cast with someone more well known would have garnered them an Oscar nomination. Randell certainly belongs on any runner-up list. Ken G. Hall, an icon of Australian cinema, ended his career on a very high note with this one. There are a lot of tense moments as Smith tries to prove he can achieve his goals, and considering that this was less than 100 years ago, still important details in the history of aviation as we know today. Thus an important film for that reason and for advancing Australian cinema.