The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce (2008)

Eight men escape from the most isolated prison on earth. Only one man survives and the story he recounts shocks the British establishment to the core. This story is the last confession of Alexander Pearce.

Director:

Michael James Rowland

Writers:

Nial Fulton, Michael James Rowland

Stars:

Adrian Dunbar, Ciarán McMenamin, Dan Wyllie

5 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adrian Dunbar	...	Philip Conolly
Ciarán McMenamin	...	Alexander Pearce (as Ciaran McMenamin)
Dan Wyllie	...	Robert Greenhill (as Daniel Wyllie)
Don Hany	...	John Mather
Bob Franklin	...	Matthew Travers
Chris Haywood	...	Robert Knopwood
Tony Llewellyn-Jones	...	William Sorrell
Richard Green	...	Edward Brown
Tony Goodfellow	...	Alexander Dalton
Peter Dowling	...	Thomas Bodenham
Matthew Preston	...	William Kennerly
Martin Jacobs	...	John Cuthbertson
Bill Young	...	Gaoler Bisdee
Socratis Otto	...	Fine Young British Officer
Carl Rush	...	Constable Logan

Storyline

In 1824 and the British penal colony of VanDiemen's Land is little more than a living hell. Chained to a wall in the darkness of a Hobart cell, Pearce is visited by Father Connolly,the parish priest of the fledgling colony and a fellow Irishman. The harrowing confession Pearce makes, shocks the priest and the British establishment to the core.

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Plot Keywords:

sarah island australia | sydney australia | macquarie harbour | brutality | knopwood | 

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Taglines:

Hunger Has No Limit

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Horror | Western

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Knopwood refers to the Irishmen, Pearce and Connolly as having grown up amidst 'famine and ferment'. The famine to which he is likely referring is the Irish famine of 1740-1, caused by a severe winter.

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Goofs

The position of the hood on Pearce's head when is to be hanged changes between when it is first put on (covering down to the bridge of his nose) and when he takes the sacrament (down to his forehead).

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Quotes

Robert Knopwood: This is bad for the colony. I hope your man is going to be repentant at his hanging?
Philip Conolly: His salvation depends on it.

User Reviews

top marks

The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce blew me away... it is by far the most intense piece I've seen in ages. Not in the least gruesome or hard to watch - on the contrary, it is beautifully shot and paced, with a haunting soundtrack and scenery out of this world. You could have heard a pin drop at the preview screening at Clones Film Festival this year. Excellent performances from Ciaran McMenamin, Adrian Dunbar and the rest of the cast. And a true story of complete desperation at the end of the world. The last taboo.... I couldn't decide if the film should have been longer or if I'd seen enough after barely an hour. I believe the latter to be the case - it packs such a punch in such a short time and is so well edited that it's job is well and truly done.

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

25 January 2009 (Australia)

Also Known As:

A Última Confissão de Alexander Pearce

Filming Locations:

Central Highlands, Tasmania, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD1,350,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Essential Media & Entertainment, Essential Viewing Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby SR

Color:

Color