For the Term of His Natural Life (1929)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
	George Fisher	...	Rufus Dawe / John Rex
	Eva Novak	...	Sylvia Vickers
	Dunstan Webb	...	Maurice Frere
	Jessica Harcourt	...	Sarah Purfoy
	Arthur McLaglen	...	Gabbett
	Katherine Dawn	...	Mrs. Vickers
	Gerald Kay Souper	...	Major Vickers
	Marion Marcus Clarke	...	Lady Devine
	Arthur Tauchert	...	Warden Troke
	Beryl Gow	...	Sylvia Vickers as child
	Compton Coutts	...	Reverend Meekin
	Mayne Lynton	...	Reverend North
	Carlton Stuart	...	Commandant Burgess
	William O'Hanlon	...	The Crow
	Arthur Greenaway	...	Lord Bellasis

Storyline

Based on the Australian classic by Marcus Clarke, the story of convict Rufus Dawe was based on fact and reflects that of many convicts of Australia's early days. Rufus Dawe has been wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit, and sent to the harsh penal colony of Van Diemen's Land, Australia - for the term of his natural life. In his attempts to escape the colony forever, he falls in love with a warden's daughter, Sylvia, confronts his sinister lookalike John Rex, and the evil convict Gabbet. American director Norman Dawn's movie adaptation strays from the original book but retains a strong visual style, especially in climactic crowd scenes. It is notorious as the movie that was meant to launch Australia into the world movie market, but instead cost investors thousands after the coming of sound stymied its potential for overseas success. Written by Camille Scaysbrook <verona_beach@hotpop.com>  

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