The original film was released in 1986 and grossed $2,500,000 at the New Zealand box office making it one of the most successful local films of the 1980s. In Australia it grossed $4,317,000 which is equivalent to $11 million in the 2017 market.
The release follows this year’s passing of the original comic strip creator and movie co-writer Murray Ball, as well as the voice of Wal – John Clarke. The original hit soundtrack which features Dave Dobbyn, Herbs and Ardijah spawned the massive hits ‘Slice Of Heaven’ and ‘You Oughta Be In Love’. As well as an expanded booklet that will include archived photos and sketches the DVD will have included a making of doco plus the original music videos.