The Pearlers (1949): cast, story & where to watch
1949 · Film
Released in 1949, The Pearlers is a documentary film directed by Lee Robinson, running about 11 minutes.
What it’s about. Beautifully filmed in black and white, this classic short film looks at pearling in the late 1940s. It goes on board the boats that work off the coast of Broome, Western Australia, from March to December each year. Crewed mainly by Aboriginal, Malay and Chinese men, they work six days a week from sun up to sun down—replenished occasionally by supply boats that also take away their hauls of pearl shell. The film captures the atmosphere, the detail and the danger involved in the search for shell as the divers in huge metal helmets and layers of clothing under their suits dive two at a time, each with one person tending their airhose and another their lifeline.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Pearlers page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Pearlers tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Pearlers (1949)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Pearlers change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- When was The Pearlers released?
- The Pearlers was released in 1949, with a runtime of about 11 minutes.