In Australia's impressive pantheon of indigenous sportsmen - Anthony Mundine, Arthur Beetson, Yvonne Cawley, Cathy Freeman, Johnathon Thurston and so on - Lionel Rose towers above everyone else. He's one of this country's true champions, and also one of its first Aboriginal superstars. When bantamweight boxer Rose took Japanese champ Fighting Harada to school and took out the world championship, he captured the hearts of a nation. 250,000 people hit the streets to welcome him home in a massive ticker tape parade, and he later went on to a successful recording career, delivering two hit singles, one of which was written by Johnny Young. Lionel Rose's story is a classic rags-to-riches tale, and also an essentially Australian one.

This beautifully constructed documentary from director Eddie Martin (following up the impressive Jisoe) is a fantastic portrait of this complex hero. Cinematic in tone and feel, Lionel boasts creative, glistening cinematography by Germain McMicking, fluid editing from Ken Sallows, and a restrained, evocative score from Cezary Skubiszewski - this is a real film, unlike many docos. Martin also hits just the right tone in terms of respect and investigation: it's clear that he loves his subject, but the director certainly doesn't shy away from looking at Rose's brushes with the law, his occasional and near destructive lack of motivation and commitment, his overly relaxed attitude toward his finances, and his seeming lack of comprehension about his own importance.

Eschewing comment from journalists and boxing experts (which proves to be an excellent move), Martin instead uses extensive interviews with Rose himself (surely the most unassuming world champion in the history of boxing), as well as his nearest and dearest - the result is a stunningly intimate documentary that stands as a fine testament to a truly great Australian.