The Dunera Boys (TV 1985)

At the start of WWII the British Government decided to arrest all Germans in the UK no matter how long they had been here. Among those arrested were many Jewish refugees and many who were ... See full summary »

Director:

Ben Lewin

Writer:

Ben Lewin

Stars:

Joseph Spano, Bob Hoskins, Joseph Fürst

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Spano	...	Alexander Engelhardt
Bob Hoskins	...	Morrie Mendellsohn
Joseph Fürst	...	The Baron (as Joseph Furst)
Mary-Anne Fahey	...	Naomi Mendellsohn
Simon Chilvers	...	Col. Berry
Steven Vidler	...	Tropp
Moshe Kedem	...	Rabbi Aronfeld
John Meillon	...	Brig. Templeton
Warren Mitchell	...	Mr. Baum
Paul Mason	...	Friedkin
Kirk Alexander	...	Capt. Webber
Julia Blake	...	Mum
Max Bruch	...	Artaker
Sally Cooper	...	Kath
Marcel Cugola	...	Aviam

Storyline

At the start of WWII the British Government decided to arrest all Germans in the UK no matter how long they had been here. Among those arrested were many Jewish refugees and many who were fully assimilated. This film records the story of a group who were sent to a POW camp in Australia aboard the Dunera.

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Plot Keywords:

world war two | based on true story

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Also Known As:

A Dunera számüzöttjei

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jethro Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

200 min 200 min (4 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

A really nice film - really deserves an outing on DVD!

I have a VHS copy of this but it is a poor transfer. The film (originally seen on TV) is well worth seeing with an interesting and at times quite moving plot and fine performances, especially by Bob Hoskins, Warren Mitchell and Joseph Spano. It is surprising that it never seems to have been repeated either on TV or in the cinema. Far worse TV films seem to be dragged up from obscurity for a DVD release and I'm amazed this one hasn't been given the same treatment and transferred to DVD, it could become a cult classic! The performances of a host of Jewish character actors portraying the 'little Vienna' created in the East End of London (and again in the Australian Outback)is both amusing and reminds us that that the Nazis may have been (so far) the most egregious and extreme race haters but they didn't (and don't) have a monopoly when it comes to incomprehension and hostility towards asylum seekers!