Book That Shook the World, The (ATOM Study Guide)

The Book That Shook the World is a historical essay film that delves into the controversy and uproar brought about by the publication in Australia and in Europe of The Little Red Schoolbook, where in many countries it was banned. It also looks at the repressive censorship laws Australia lived under in the sixties and early seventies.

The Book That Shook the World shows how change was brought about by the actions of people willing to risk jail for their anti-censorship beliefs. Using The Little Red Schoolbook and other publications of the time, it traces the change and development of censorship laws and attitudes in Australia, asking in conclusion, as the film is brought up to date – how far have we really come?

At the same time it is often an amusing look at the cultural hypocrisies Australians were living under, and the sometimes hilarious lengths to which authorities went to prevent change, while others tried to bring change about. Featuring a mixture of experts, participants of the time and questioning narration all inter-cut with clips from the period such as news archives and publications, the period comes to life.