For the Term of His Natural Life (TV 1983)

In 1830's England, a young man from a good but troubled family is unjustly convicted of stealing a watch. He's transported to Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania) where he suffers under the enmity ... See full summary »

Director:

Rob Stewart

Writers:

Marcus Clarke (novel), Patricia Payne,

Stars:

Anthony Perkins, Patrick Macnee, Samantha Eggar

Cast

Credited cast:
Anthony Perkins	...	Rev James North
Patrick Macnee	...	Major Vickers
Samantha Eggar	...	Mrs. Vickers
Diane Cilento	...	Lady Elinor Devine
Rod Mullinar	...	Lt. Maurice Frere
Robert Coleby	...	John Rex
Susan Lyons	...	Sarah
Penelope Stewart	...	Sylvia Vickers
Colin Friels	...	Rufus Dawes / Richard Devine
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jeremy Coote	...	Frank Edgely
Damon Herriman	...	Blinker
Glynn Nicholas	...	Kirkland
Henry Salter	...	Troke, prison warder

Storyline

In 1830's England, a young man from a good but troubled family is unjustly convicted of stealing a watch. He's transported to Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania) where he suffers under the enmity of Lt. Frere while falling in love with Sylvia, the Warden's daughter. Meanwhile, back in England, an imposter lays claim to the young man's inheritance.

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Plot Keywords:

sailing ship | bare chested male bondage | bare chested male | prison | forced labor | 

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Taglines:

Justice Will Not Be Held Prisoner

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 June 1985 (UK)

Also Known As:

Me timima ti zoi tou

Filming Locations:

Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$5,600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmco Limited, Patricia Payne Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

520 min 520 min (6 Episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the only filmed version of this story which has been made for television.

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Connections

Version of For the Term of His Natural Life (1927)

User Reviews

Settle down and enjoy the (lengthy) journey!

Overall a great adaption to TV of the classic novel. Colin Friels does an admirable job of playing the protagonist, Rufas Dawes, and the chemistry between him and Rod Mullinar (Lt. Frere) is excellent. Whilst the plot remains by and large true to the novel, the writers of this made-for-TV version for some reason felt it necessary to give the movie a 'happily ever after' ending, hence the last hour or so of this lengthy movie is drastically different to the story originally told by Marcus Clarke. None-the-less, worth the watch if you enjoyed the book, or simply for the historical aspect (the Australian convict era). So be prepared to settle down and enjoy the (lengthy) journey!