This film, based on Marcus Clarke’s complex novel of the convict days, begins in England with a murder on Hampstead Heath. Rufus Dawes is wrongly arrested and sentenced to transportation, as a convict, to Van Dieman’s Land. The bitter life of the convicts is depicted, culminating in Dawes’ escape. In disguise, he joins a boat to sail to freedom and on board meets his long lost love, Sylvia.
Cast includes George Fisher, Eva Novak, Dunstan Webb, Jessica Harcourt.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Previously on display
22 April 2019
ACMI Viewing Booths
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
300828
Audience classifications
G
Mediatheque - all ages (ACMI classified)
Subject categories
Feature films → Feature films - Australia
Literature → Australian literature - Film and video adaptations
Sound/audio
Silent
Colour
Tinted
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)