Lucinda Brayford (1980– )

Based on the novel by Martin Boyd (1946) this miniseries tells the story of many generations of a family who migrate from England to Australia and eventually back to England, suffering ... See full summary »

Stars:

Wendy Hughes, Sam Neill, Barry Quin

Cast

Credited cast:
Wendy Hughes	...	Lucinda Brayford
Sam Neill	...	Tony Duff
Barry Quin	...	Hugo Brayford
Edmund Pegge	...	Pat Lanfranc
Carol Burns	...	Julie Vane
Stephen Oldfield	...	Stephen Brayford
Virginia Rooksby	...	Mrs. Fabian Parker
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jamie Adamson	...	Stephen Brayford - as a boy
Kirk Alexander	...	Paul Brayford
Michael Boughen	...	Roland Roberts
Paula DeBurgh	...	Muriel Vane
Laurie Roberts	...	Bill Vane
Penelope Stewart	...	Heather Vane

Storyline

Based on the novel by Martin Boyd (1946) this miniseries tells the story of many generations of a family who migrate from England to Australia and eventually back to England, suffering poverty and becoming social climbers. The family's social ambitions lead to conflicts between Lucinda and her parents over the attentions of Tony Duff. She therefore marries wealthy Englishman Hugo Brayford and moves to England with him. A series of failures and adulterous episodes in England lead to her experience of "geographical schizophrenia" and personality disintegration.

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Plot Keywords:

based on literary | independent film | based on novel | character name in title

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

200 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

All show with no go

One of a number of ABC mini-series released to DVD in late 2005, this has to be the least interesting. In the hands of an uninspired director, it gives the appearance of a stage play, with little movement of the camera. Often the characters are allowed to cross the screen for minutes without any movement. Such would be fine if the story held genuine interest, but seriously, it doesn't! The story is humdrum, to say the least.

On the plus side, the other production values are fine. Sets and costumes are brilliantly mounted. And Wendy Hughes turns in an excellent performance. The same can be said for Sam Neill, but his character 'Tony Duff' disappears before the series is halfway through.

You need to watch for changes of locations and time period, as these aren't always obvious. I lost track of many minor characters by the third episode, but figured I couldn't write a fair review unless I stuck it out to the bitter end.

A far better example of the ABC's mini-series of the time is 'Come in Spinner'. Or for something different, 'Edens Lost'. One aspect common to all is a great transfer, but most are 'bare bones' with no extras, unlike, for example, the brilliant 'Seven Little Australians'.