Ealing Studios were interested in making a feature film in Australia after the war, and assigned Harry Watt to find a subject. He came up with "The Overlanders" (1946), a story of a cattle drive during war time (based on a true story) and gave the lead role to Rafferty who Watt called an "Australian Gary Cooper." Rafferty's fee was £25 a week. Ealing Studios were so pleased they signed Rafferty to a long term contract even before the film was released. The film was a critical and commercial success and Rafferty was established as a film star.