REVIEW: JOH: Last King of Queensland
Directed by: Kriv Stenders
Written by: Kriv Stenders & Matthew Condon
Produced by: Veronica Fury, Alan Erson
Production Company: WildBear Entertainment
Streaming now on: STAN
The name Joh Bjelke-Petersen still sparks fierce debate in Queensland — and JOH: Last King of Queensland, the powerful new documentary directed by Kriv Stenders, is set to reignite those conversations with intensity and insight.
Co-written by Stenders and acclaimed journalist Matthew Condon, and produced by WildBear Entertainment, this documentary is a captivating and cautionary portrait of one of Australia’s most polarising political figures. It arrives at a time when the echoes of authoritarian populism are felt across the globe — and Joh’s story feels more relevant than ever.
For 19 turbulent years (1968–1987), Joh ruled Queensland like his own personal kingdom. While he presided over rapid economic growth and development, his tenure was deeply marked by corruption, media control, gerrymandering, and violent suppression of civil dissent. This documentary pulls back the curtain on both the man and the machine behind the power.
Stenders, a Queenslander himself, crafts a narrative rich with rare archival footage, illuminating interviews, and evocative storytelling. The film paints a vivid picture of Joh’s life, shaped by a strict, religious upbringing on his family’s Kingaroy farm, and explores how those values morphed into a hardline political philosophy.
Richard Roxburgh delivers a remarkable voice performance, channeling Joh’s distinctive, meandering speech in a dramatized narration that is both haunting and strangely familiar. His portrayal reminds us just how ahead of his time Joh was in shaping media optics and public manipulation — parallels with the Trump era are drawn with eerie clarity.
Condon’s contributions as co-writer ground the film with historical authority and deep journalistic context. Having lived through and written extensively on this period, he’s the perfect match to help unpack Joh’s legacy.
For me personally, JOH: Last King of Queensland struck a chord. I lived through that era as at age of 11 years I with my family, came to Brisbane to live from Melbourne in 1967. My Parents voted for Joh as was that generation that were under his spell and as growing up and understanding more what a beast he was in how he ruled the Police force and as I entered the arts world more and had friends arrested in marches so like many at the time, I left Brisbane for Sydney to escape the growing political tension for a while, only to return in the lead-up to his dramatic resignation in 1988 — a moment I remember vividly. Watching this brought back the stark divide he created: people either adored him or deeply opposed him.
The film doesn’t shy away from that divide. It gives space to supporters and critics alike, offering a nuanced but uncompromising look at his controversial reign. It also features firsthand stories from those who lived and worked through those turbulent years, adding raw authenticity.
JOH: Last King of Queensland is not just a documentary — it’s a historical reckoning. It’s compelling viewing for anyone interested in politics, power, and the legacy of leadership gone unchecked. Highly recommended — catch it now on STAN.
Caroline Russo Review Photos from STAN
