Rats in the Ranks 30 Years On: Director Bob Connolly's Regrets 2026

Bob Connolly, the legendary Australian documentary filmmaker, still harbours regrets about his iconic film Rats in the Ranks, even 30 years after its release. The film, a fly-on-the-wall account of political skullduggery at inner-Sydney's Leichhardt Council, remains one of the most celebrated documentaries to come out of Australia. Yet Connolly, now 81, reveals he has "huge regrets" about how the film was perceived.

The Making of a Landmark Australian Documentary

Released in 1996, Rats in the Ranks was directed by Bob Connolly and his late partner, Robin Anderson. The duo spent 10 months embedded in Leichhardt Council, capturing the machinations of Mayor Larry Hand and 11 disparate councillors, including four Labor representatives. The resulting film was a raw, often humorous portrayal of local politics, but it also sparked controversy.

Connolly recalls that the press coverage focused on the negative portrayal of the councillors, which he felt was unfair. "The entire press coverage was basically: 'we loved the film but we hated the councillors who are all low lives'," he says. "And it's rankled with me for 30 years." Some on the left were furious, seeing the film as an attack on a progressive council.

Bob Connolly's Regrets and Reflections

Despite the film's acclaim, Connolly's regrets stem from the unintended consequences of his work. He and Anderson developed a deep sense of duty of care for their subjects, having spent months documenting their lives. "When we make five 90, 95-minute films, you live through a period of someone's life which is very often stressful, which is lonely, which has high stakes," Connolly explains. "And you really do develop a duty of care for the subjects."

Anderson, Connolly's professional and life partner, died in 2002 at age 51. Her final film, Facing the Music, chronicled a campaign to save the University of Sydney's music department. Connolly's reflections on Rats in the Ranks are tinged with both pride and pain, highlighting the ethical complexities of documentary filmmaking.

Key Takeaways from Connolly's Career

• Rats in the Ranks is a seminal Australian documentary that continues to provoke discussion 30 years on.
• Director Bob Connolly expresses regret over the negative portrayal of councillors, which overshadowed the film's nuance.
• The film underscores the ethical responsibilities filmmakers have towards their subjects.
• Connolly and Anderson's partnership produced five award-winning feature documentaries, leaving a lasting legacy.

The Legacy of Rats in the Ranks

Three decades later, Rats in the Ranks remains a touchstone in Australian documentary filmmaking. Its unflinching look at local politics has influenced generations of filmmakers. The film's raw depiction of human frailty and ambition continues to resonate, even as its director grapples with its aftermath.

Connolly's career, marked by a commitment to storytelling that is both intimate and critical, serves as a reminder of the power of documentary to shape public perception. His regrets are a testament to the deep connections formed during the filmmaking process and the responsibility that comes with capturing real lives.

Comparison: Rats in the Ranks vs. Other Australian Documentaries

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