The ‘Australian’ print is one of 6 ‘Exhibition’ LPPs that were struck in 1983.
Yay for my guess! That’s pretty much what I was thinking (trilogy screening). I’m not at all surprised the owner is protective given the rarity.
Question - you said it could be scanned if you brought the scanner to him - what if we paid to fly him out to the scanner instead? If that were possible it’d cost a lot less, but then again I suppose he may not be able to keep the film as check baggage which would an issue.