I had read the book and seen the 1949 version many years ago, so when I spotted this on Acorn's streaming service I couldn't resist it. The mini series really shows its age. I don't mean that as a put down, quite the opposite, it is just noticeable for its absence of swearing, especially four letter euphemisms for sex, no gay or transgender characters and no graphic sex. What a relief!
The melodramatic story has all the makings of an opera or musical. Transported convicts having served their sentence are paroled (ticket of leave) and encouraged to stay in Australia where they can buy land and start their own businesses. Given that they had to pay their own fare back to England, and that poverty and lack of employment are what drove them to crime in the first place, Australia must seem a land of opportunity especially as there is a desperate need for skilled workers, tradesmen and artisans. Not all emigrants are convicts, however, there is a class distinction between the working class, the former convicts and impoverished aristocrats out to get rich.
The story concerns a couple who have became rich landowners despite the husband having been transported for a crime he did not commit. While waiting for him to serve his sentence his wife who had followed him to Australia has turned to drink and despite her aristocratic lineage, is an outcast. There is an element of 'Gaslight' as the wife is being kept drunk and frightened out of her wits by a scheming housekeeper out to snare the husband, and whose lies drive away the young man trying to help. Letters go missing, false accusations abound, servants pilfer and gossip, misunderstandings, jealousy and thwarted true love, but in the end all is sorted out, the housekeeper is sent packing, and everyone lives happily ever after.
While watching the series I was imagining the opening chorus as the convicts arrive in Australia and are inspected and assigned to the overseers, Then later a dramatic coloratura at the dinner where Lady Henrietta appears worse for drink. Charles Adare is the young bright eyed tenor. Samson Flusky the baritone singing of how he came to be transported. Miss Milly the evil housekeeper a contralto. Comic relief is provided by the servants. Elegant dancing at a governor's ball, energetic Irish jigs and songs as the servants carouse out in the barn. There is a scene at the Aboriginals camp and later back at the house, lots of dramatic arias before all is resolved.
The melodramatic story has all the makings of an opera or musical. Transported convicts having served their sentence are paroled (ticket of leave) and encouraged to stay in Australia where they can buy land and start their own businesses. Given that they had to pay their own fare back to England, and that poverty and lack of employment are what drove them to crime in the first place, Australia must seem a land of opportunity especially as there is a desperate need for skilled workers, tradesmen and artisans. Not all emigrants are convicts, however, there is a class distinction between the working class, the former convicts and impoverished aristocrats out to get rich.
The story concerns a couple who have became rich landowners despite the husband having been transported for a crime he did not commit. While waiting for him to serve his sentence his wife who had followed him to Australia has turned to drink and despite her aristocratic lineage, is an outcast. There is an element of 'Gaslight' as the wife is being kept drunk and frightened out of her wits by a scheming housekeeper out to snare the husband, and whose lies drive away the young man trying to help. Letters go missing, false accusations abound, servants pilfer and gossip, misunderstandings, jealousy and thwarted true love, but in the end all is sorted out, the housekeeper is sent packing, and everyone lives happily ever after.
While watching the series I was imagining the opening chorus as the convicts arrive in Australia and are inspected and assigned to the overseers, Then later a dramatic coloratura at the dinner where Lady Henrietta appears worse for drink. Charles Adare is the young bright eyed tenor. Samson Flusky the baritone singing of how he came to be transported. Miss Milly the evil housekeeper a contralto. Comic relief is provided by the servants. Elegant dancing at a governor's ball, energetic Irish jigs and songs as the servants carouse out in the barn. There is a scene at the Aboriginals camp and later back at the house, lots of dramatic arias before all is resolved.
