The Patriots (TV series)

The Patriots was an Australian television drama mini-series. A period-drama, it aired for 10 episodes on ABC in 1962.[1]

The Patriots
Ad in The Age 7 Jun 1962
Genrehistory
Written byPhilip Grenville Mann
Directed byColin Dean
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Running time30 mins
Release
Original networkABC
Original release27 May (1962-05-27) –
27 July 1962 (1962-07-27)

This was among a series of period dramas produced by the broadcaster, being preceded by Stormy Petrel (1960) and The Outcasts (1961), and followed by The Hungry Ones (1963). The first two had been written by Rex Rienits but this one was written by Phillip Grenville Mann.[2]

The cast included James Condon as William Charles Wentworth, who gets into trouble while running a newspaper called The Australian[3] (note: no relation to the current newspaper of the same name).

Telerecordings (also known as kinescope recordings) of the episodes are held by National Archives of Australia.[4]

Premise

William Wentworth runs a newspaper which brings him into conflict with Governor Darling.

Cast

Episodes
  • Ep 1 – 27 May (Syd), 10 June (Mel)
  • Ep 2 – 3 June (Syd), 17 June (Melb) – Wentworth becomes involved in a breach of promise suit
  • Ep 3 – 10 June (Syd) 24 June (Melb) "The Governor Acts" – Wentworth protests against "rubber stamp" governorship
  • Ep 4 – 17 June (Syd) 2 July (Melb)
  • Ep 5 – 24 June (Syd) 9 July (Melb) – "Full scale war"
  • Ep 6 – 1 July (Syd) 15 July (Melb) – "Pistol Duel" – a duel is fought between William Dumrareq and Robert Wardell
  • Ep 7 – 8 July (Syd), 22 July (Melb) – "A Marriage in Sydney" – Sarah marries William
  • Ep 8 – 15 July (Syd) 29 July (Melb) – "A Court Martial"
  • Ep 9 – 22 July (Syd) 5 Aug (Melb) Darling's answer to Wentworth's impeachment is to hold an official inquiry to the death of Private Sudds
  • Ep 10–29 July (Syd) 21 Aug (Melb) – final ep

Production

In January 1962 the ABC announced it would make a third historical series, an unofficial sequel to Stormy Petrel and The Outcasts.[5] The first two were written by Rex Rienits but this one was written by Phillip Grenville Mann, an Australian who had worked in London and replaced Rienits as drama editor at the ABC. "I hope that any factions in it are not dubbed 'goodies' and 'baddies'," said Mann. "When men of principle disagree it does not necessarily follow that they become either heroes or scoundrels. Tragedy – and drama – can sometimes be found in men who act which absolute integrity and in direct conflict with the needs and desires of the people."[6]

Designer Phil Hickie spent four months designing 17 sets, plus the costumes and props. More than 200 gallons of paint were used.[7]

The series aired in June.[8]

Reception

The Australian Women's Weekly said she "thought "The Patriots" was a wonderful story that could have had added excitement if it had been played at a quicker pace. I wish it had been done in five one-hour episodes."[9]

References
  1. "Chosen for their Likeness". The Age. 7 June 1962. p. 14.
  2. "New Serial with Emphasis on Our Fight for Freedom". The Age. 8 March 1962. p. 22.
  3. "The Patriots". IMDb. 27 May 1962.
  4. ""The Patriots"". The Australian Women's Weekly. 6 June 1962. p. 10. Retrieved 4 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "ABN plans third historical TV serial". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 29, no. 35. Australia. 31 January 1962. p. 17. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. Marshall, Valda (3 September 1961). "TV Merry Go Round". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 92.
  7. Marshall, Valda (20 May 1962). "TV Merry Go Round". p. 90.
  8. ""The Patriots"". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 30, no. [?]. Australia. 6 June 1962. p. 10. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Double ballet triumph". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 30, no. [?]. Australia. 15 August 1962. p. 17. Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
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