The Far Country (miniseries)

The Far Country is a 1972 Australian mini-series based on the novel of the same name by Neville Shute. The novel was adapted for television on the ABC, consisting of six episodes. It started on 9 February 1972.[1]

The Far Country
Genredrama
Based onnovel by Neville Shute
Screenplay byDavid Whitaker
Directed byEric Tayler
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
ProducerEric Tayler
Camera setupLloyd Sheils
Running time45 mins
Production companyABC
Release
Original networkABC
Original release9 February (1972-02-09) –
15 March 1972 (1972-03-15)

Premise

Jennifer Morton travels from England to Australia where she stays with some distant relatives. She falls in love with Czech miner Carl Zlinter who works at a neighbouring lumber cap.

Cast
  • Bernadette Hughson as Jennifer Morton
  • Graham Corry as Carl Zlinter
  • Peter Gwynne as the grazier Jack Morton
  • Betty Dyson as Jane Morton
  • Georgina West
  • Peter Corbett
  • Edmondo Falzone
  • John Meillon
  • Ben Gabriel
  • Stewart Ginn
  • Colin Hughes
  • David Whitaker as Dr Wilkinson

Production

Director Eric Tayler had made the mini series Dead Men Running for the ABC the year before. Shooting of the six-episode series took place in Bandaleer Downs, Tarana, Sofala, Vittoria, Mullion Creek Orange and Bathurst, and at the ABC's Gore Hill studios.[2][3]

The scripts were written by English writer David Whitaker who also appeared in a small role.[4][5]

Episodes
  1. 9 February 1972
  2. 16 February 1972
  3. 23 February 1972
  4. 1 March 1972
  5. 8 March 1972
  6. 15 March 1972

Reception

The Age said "the serial successfully evokes the parched pastoral poetry of a remote sheep station in 1951. Eric Tayler shepherds the show's actors, and animals, with laconic skill... performances... attest to a growing expertise in Australian teledrama." The critic also praised the camerwork although felt it "wasted on a love and jealousy tale so naive and sudsy."[6]

Another critic for the same paper thought it "has plenty of good outdoor shots and fresh air, yet somehow lacks robustness and enough zing to hold the interest. A fault could be... not enough liberty has been taken with a story too telegraphic for television."[7]

References
  1. Marshall, Valda (16 January 1972). "ABC announces a big line up in 72". Sydney Sun Herald. p. 95.
  2. "What city folk think of the rural recession". The Canberra Times. 7 February 1972. p. 13. Retrieved 8 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "NEVIL SHUTE STORY ON TV". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 39, no. 38. Australia, Australia. 16 February 1972. p. 9. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970–1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p193
  5. "Role for adaptor". The Age. 3 February 1972. p. 29.
  6. Pinkney, John (11 February 1972). "Tariff men fiddle, film men burn". The Age. p. 4.
  7. Televiewer (24 February 1972). "Teletopics". The Age TV Guide. p. 2.
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