Film Synopsis:
Eternity is the true story of the enigmatic Arthur Stace, best known as Sydney’s ‘Mr Eternity.’​
The story opens on a board-room of creative executives planning the theme for Sydney’s Millennium New Year celebrations. An agreement is reached to honour the iconic sidewalk art of Arthur Stace. Travelling back in time to New Year 1899, we find cheeky, 14-year-old Arthur locked in a police cell, once again apprehended for riotous behaviour and drunkenness, until his older sister Minnie arrives to demand his release. The following morning Arthur is sent to visit his father at Parramatta Lunatic Asylum before travelling by train to his new foster family in Port Kembla, where he will work in the mines. When Arthur's father dies some five years later, Arthur returns to Sydney for the funeral. Deciding to stay on at Minnie’s Brothel, he becomes involved in numerous criminal activities that include running sly-grog, gambling, theft and gangs.
In 1916, Arthur enlists in the Great War and, is wounded in battle. Arthur returns to Sydney to find his remaining family have either died or left town. He picks up odd jobs here and there, but his severe alcoholism makes him virtually unemployable. Meanwhile, the city has moved on without him and is now at the mercy of far more dangerous thugs and criminals. Arthur lives on the streets; a derelict and chronic alcoholic, ‘always hungry, aways broke and always drunk.’
On the hunt for food one night, Arthur wanders into a men’s meeting conducted by the Reverend RB Hammond. Hammond strongly influences Arthur in changing his life for the better. Arthur never drinks again, but his journey of recovery is not without obstacles.
At church one evening, a fellow WW1 veteran, speaks on eternity and Arthur is deeply moved. From that moment, he covertly begins to write ‘Eternity’ on the streets in chalk, a calling that will occupy him every day for the next 35 years. Arthur’s life reaches a high note when he falls in love with Pearl Dawson, a no-nonsense woman with a heart of gold.
The mystery of ‘Mr Eternity’ has Sydney captivated, with much chatter dominating newspapers and talk-back radio programs. No one suspects a reformed alcoholic and church cleaner is behind the distinct and emotional artistry. But by 1956, Arthur is persuaded to give an interview to The Telegraph, and his identity is revealed. Soon after, Arthur will discover that ‘Eternity’ has impacted the city in unimaginable ways.