AustLit

Now an extremely obscure text, Timelapse, aired in 1980, followed the struggle for revenge of computer genius Douglas Hardy: cryogenically frozen in the late 1970s after a failed assassination attempt by corrupt politicians, Hardy is accidentally awoken in 1991, to find that the politicians of his own time have only increased their power. In this new fascist future, Hardy seeks revenge against those who tried to kill him.

In a 1981 interview with star Robert Coleby, Greg Flynn notes that 'Although a rocketing success with sci-fi enthusiasts, Timelapse received few critical bouquets' ('Robert Coleby: Levkas Man is Everyone's Cup of Tea', Australian Women's Weekly, Wed. 25 Feb. 1981, pp.170-71).

For example, one particularly scathing contemporary review (by Cul Cullen) notes:

'There is a whisper abroad that Colin Free wrote the script. I can't believe it. I hope he sues those responsible for this vile slander. ... Cleverly, the ABC has slotted Timelapse against very popular shows on the commercial channels. That way, you see, it might slip by unwatched by anybody.

'And no awkward questions will be asked as to why public money is wasted on such inept nonsense.'

Source: 'Culled Out', Australian Women's Weekly, Wed. 14 May 1980, p.213.

However, Albert Moran, in his Guide to Australian TV Series, says instead that

'Timelapse was a surprisingly good thriller cum piece of adult science fiction much in the manner of the excellent British cult series Prisoner starring Patrick McGoohan. However, where Prisoner was ultimately metaphysical in suggesting the impossibility of either escape by the central figure or his capacity to overcome his captors, Timelapse chose to be more pragmatic in having Hardy finally defeat his enemies.'