"Mary Bryant" (2005) TV mini-series

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Peter Andrikidis

Writer:

Peter Berry (writer)

Release Date:

30 October 2005 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Her courage paved the way to their freedom

Plot:

A young woman is transported to the New South Wales penal colony in 1788.

Plot Keywords:

Slave | Disease | Strength | Prisoner | Thief

Awards:

6 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Romola Garai	...	Mary Bryant
Jack Davenport	...	Lt Ralph Clarke
Alex O'Loughlin	...	Will Bryant
Sam Neill	...	Governor Arthur Phillip
Tony Martin	...	Martin
David Field	...	Thomas
Garry McDonald	...	Reverend Johnson
Dan Spielman	...	Cox
Stephen Curry	...	Allen
Abe Forsythe	...	Sam
Alice McConnell	...	Elizabeth
Linal Haft	...	Sgt. Ryan
Genevieve O'Reilly	...	Allcia
Brittany Carney	...	Charlotte
Leo Jampinjinpa Wayne	...	Woollarawarre Bennelong

Also Known As:

The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant (Australia) (long title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence including rape, sexuality and some nudity.

Runtime:

Australia:480 min (2 parts) | USA:185 min (DVD version)

Country:

Australia | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

Granada Television

Trivia:

Had a budget in excess of $15 million, making this the largest television mini-series ever made in Australia.

Quotes:

Clarke: Wilfulness is the root of all sin. Each of us has a daily battle to rein ourselves in, and you - you were the test I failed, twice.

This mini-series is a must see!

Mary Bryant was a remarkable person and this mini-series starred remarkable actors who held together a wonderfully moving recollection of a dark time in the history of Brittan and the beginnings of Australia. It frightens me that my country was essentially founded with such atrocities and in such inhumane ways. I knew of the injustices that would later come about with more force for the Aboriginal people, but scarcely thought of the convicts that were dumped there. I had never really looked at the first fleet the way I did when watching the series, it opened my eyes and those of all of us who've seen it, that I'm sure. All in all there were top film making and superb character portrayals in a very important story to remember of the right of each human being to live and to have redemption from there (often petty) mistakes. I will be listening up for Alex O'Lachlan's name in the future and am sure to follow Romola's acting career with deep interest.