AustLit

Based on the novel by Patricia Wrightson, The Nargun and the Stars follows Simon, a heartbroken and orphaned boy from the city, who goes to live with cousins on a remote country property. Hidden in the depths of the property, he discovers a variety of creatures from the distant Dreamtime. But not all are benevolent, as Simon discovers when the threat of development wakes the stone Nargun.

With an overt environmental message and a strong focus on Indigenous Australian mythologies, The Nargun and the Stars attracted positive interest from reviewers, though Greg Flynn noted in the Australian Women's Weekly that the Potkoorok's voice is 'the fruity vowel sounds of the regrettably late Noel Brophy', and adds 'Surely the Aboriginals never imagined their swamp-dwelling monster sounding like a music hall turn?' Ultimately, however, Flynn noted that 'As with fantastic children's stories, it's the creatures and the gimmicks which make the programme fascinating. But the plot does have its merits. Although the series takes a while to pick up speed, once the Dreamtimers appear most viewers should be captivated by this story of the bush defending itself against the crass hand of man.'

Source: Australian Women's Weekly, Wed. 23 September 1981, p.145.