We Won’t Tell You That You’re Dreaming – This Tattoo Inspired by ‘The Castle’ Is Very Real – Littered With Garbage

Written by Australian film and TV comedy greats, Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, and Rob Sitch, The Castle is a 1997 comedy-drama which follows the Kerrigan’s, a working class Australian family battling to keep their home.

The Castle was filmed in 11 days, with the entire project taking just five weeks to complete. In that short period of the time, an Australian film classic was created and is still beloved by many almost 25 years later.

The Kerrigan’s are considered lower working class – they don’t have a lot, but cherish what they do. They’re a close-knit family who feel rich, happy and content; their home is their castle, hence the film’s title.

Fighting the compulsory acquisition of their home (for airport expansion) and those of their neighbours, the trial goes all the way to the High Court of Australia.

Several changes were made to the US version of the film, including the removal of some uniquely Australian terms, along with television shows and car brands mentioned. If you can get your hands on the original Aussie version, we suggest you do.

With how often certain Aussie films – The Castle included – are quoted or shared in GIF form in everyday life, we’re shocked there aren’t more tattoos out there.

We especially love this piece by Clare Clarity, and we never thought we’d say this about a tattoo of a bug zapper. It’s such an obvious ode to The Castle if you’re familiar with the film, otherwise it’s an obscure reference and certainly makes for a unique tattoo.

Muriel’s Wedding is a tattoo collector fan favourite – even Agro ice creams have more fan tattoos than The Castle. Let’s change this.

Just off the top of our heads, we can list off several tattoo ideas if we were to get our own piece inspired by The Castle. How about a sponge cake, jousting sticks, greyhounds, a tow truck, the pool room, that handmade ceramic, or that photocopier that never works? There is, of course, also the option to get a portrait of one of the film’s characters in a traditional, neo trad, or realism (or any style, really) style.

Whatever you do, don’t try being like the Kerrigan family and attempt to barter with a tattoo artist over the price. They don’t appreciate that, and not only will they tell you that you’re dreaming but they may even refuse to tattoo you.