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person or book cover
Rufus Dawes (Colin Friels) and Sylvia Vickers (Penelope Stewart) in For The Term of His Natural Life (screen cap)
form y separately published work icon For the Term of his Natural Life series - publisher   film/TV  
Adaptation of His Natural Life Marcus Clarke , 1870-1872 single work novel
Issue Details: First known date: 1983... 1983 For the Term of his Natural Life
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Based on the novel by Marcus Clarke, this is a relatively faithful adaptation, though Moran (in his Guide to Australian TV Series), tracing the connections between this narrative and various other nineteenth-century works, suggests that

For the Term of His Natural Life ceases to have anything much to do with the convict cycle in the mini-series that extend from Against the Wind to The Fremantle Conspiracy. Instead it has a lot more to do with series such as Return to Eden. Indeed, in viewing the series, the viewer experiences a strong surge of pleasure not only in the narrative but in the handsomeness of the settings and costumes, and cinematography but most especially in the star/character recognitions.

The program used a number of international actors (largely, Moran suggests, to increase saleability to overseas markets), including Patrick McNee (The Avengers) and Anthony Perkins (Psycho). At a cost of $5.6 million, it was the most expensive mini-series so far produced for Australian television, but was comparatively well received in Australia and distributed overseas.

Exhibitions

8047809
7993667
8018691
8014658

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • c
      Australia,
      c
      :
      Patricia Payne Productions ,
      1983 .
      person or book cover
      For The Term of His Natural Life title screen (screen cap from promotional trailer)
      Extent: 6x60min. episodesp.
      Description: Produced on videotape; colour
Last amended 11 Nov 2011 13:55:58
Settings:
  • Port Arthur, Tasman Peninsula, Forestier Peninsula - Tasman Peninsula area, Southeast Tasmania, Tasmania,
  • c
    England,
    c
    c
    United Kingdom (UK),
    c
    Western Europe, Europe,
  • 1800-1899
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