A fascinating new DVD on Australian legend, Ned Kelly, has been released by ScreenSound Australia, the National Screen and Sound Archive.

The Glenrowan Affair, made in 1951 is the only film to date to have been produced in actual Kelly country. It tracks the rise and fall of the infamous bushranger and showcases the beautiful countryside of northern Victoria.

Directed by Rupert 'Quickie' Kathner, the story behind the Ned Kelly feature is almost as dramatic as the events portrayed on screen. In 1947 producer Harry Southwell, who had already made three films based on the Kellys ('The Kelly Gang [1920], 'When the Kellys Were Out' [1923] and 'When the Kellys Rode' [1934]), recruited Kathner to help him make another. The two went to Benalla, Victoria, to 'Kelly' country. However, during the production of a trailer for the film they had a serious disagreement. Their relationship soured and Southwell left, taking the script for the film with him. Kathner took on the role of director but within a month the crew asked him to leave - which he did!

However, undeterred, Kathner returned to Benalla with his own crew and a new Kelly film, which was released as The Glenrowan Affair. For a short while the two companies, with Southwell once more at the helm of his own film, worked on their respective films side by side. Eventually the situation got the better of Southwell and his crew, and they packed up and left.

Undaunted, Rupert Kathner persevered and in August 1951 The Glenrowan Affair was released. Benalla-born VFL football hero Bob Chitty is credited as starring in the film, however there is conjecture as to whether he actually does. He certainly appears in A Message to Kelly, which is included on this DVD. It is worth noting that Charles 'Bud' Tingwell is the film's narrator.

Packed with special features and extra footage this DVD is a great nostalgia trip for fans of Ned Kelly or historical Australian films. It contains rare archival footage such as a 1933 newsreel interview with a man claiming to be 'the real Dan Kelly', the trailer A Message to Kelly, the original The Glenrowan Affair trailer, plus picture galleries, biographies and much more.

This DVD is a great showcase of the fun and funny side of fifties filmmaking.

The Glenrowan Affair is on sale now at ABC shops and video retailers or it can be ordered by calling ScreenSound Australia's mail order on 1800 677 609. Retail price is $24.95 (Plus postage + packaging if utilising the mail order service.)