The Last Outlaw is a 1980 Australian four-part television miniseries based on the life of Ned Kelly. It was shot from February to May 1980[2] and the end of its original broadcast, in October–November 1980, coincided with the centenary of Ned Kelly's death.[3][4][5]
| The Last Outlaw | |
|---|---|
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Brian May |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Roger Le Mesurier |
| Cinematography | Ernest Clark |
| Editor | Philip Reid |
| Running time | 380 minutes (95 min each) |
| Production company | Pegasus Productions |
| Budget | $2 million[1] |
| Original release | |
| Network | Seven Network |
| Release | 20 October 1980 |
The complete miniseries has been released on region 4 DVD in Australia by Umbrella Entertainment.[6]
Cast
edit- John Jarratt as Ned Kelly
- Steve Bisley as Joe Byrne
- Elaine Cusick as Mrs. Kelly
- Lewis Fitz-Gerald as Tom Lloyd
- John Ley as Dan Kelly
- Ric Herbert as Steve Hart
- Peter Hehir as Aaron Sherritt
- Debra Lawrance as Maggie Kelly
- Sigrid Thornton as Kate Kelly
- Tim Eliott as Steele
- Leslie Dayman as Jack Lloyd
- Anthony Hawkins as Superintendent Hare
- Anne Scott-Pendlebury as Mrs Devine
- Frank Gallacher as Detective Ward
- Julia Blake as Mrs Scott
- Lulu Pinkus as Helen
Production
editThe mini-series was made by Pegasus Productions, the company of Ian Jones and Browyn Binns. They had made the hugely popular mini-series Against the Wind.[7] Jones had long been interested in the story of Ned Kelly and did extensive research. "I recognised the impossibility of his situation in a frontier society," said Jones. "He was the centre of a tragedy which could have been avoided."[8] Jones wanted to make the series in part to make amends for his dissatisfaction with the 1970 film Ned Kelly.[9]
Filming took six months.[1]
Reception
editThe mini-series was considered a ratings disappointment.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b "Actor John Jarratt to play role of Ned Kelly". The Canberra Times. Vol. 54, no. 16, 138. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 1 December 1979. p. 12. Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970–1995 (1996), p.210, Oxford University Press.
- ^ "Ned Kelly: Misfit or Murderer?". The Australian Women's Weekly. Your TV Magazine supplement. 8 October 1980. p. 24. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ "Ned Kelly: Bushranger". The Australian Women's Weekly. Your TV Magazine supplement. 22 October 1980. p. 21. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ "Ned Kelly: Bushranger". The Australian Women's Weekly. Your TV Magazine supplement. 5 November 1980. p. 22. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ "The Last Outlaw DVD". Umbrella Entertainment.
- ^ "Battle for ratings". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 February 1980. p. 5.
- ^ "Ned Kelly". The Sydney Sun Herald. 5 October 1980. p. 58.
- ^ "Ne[?]elly[?]isfit or murderer?". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 48, no. 19. Australia, Australia. 8 October 1980. p. 24 (FREE Your TV Magazine). Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Lewes, Jacqueline Lee (5 June 1983). "Million$ of Viewing". Sydney Sun Herald. p. 47.
External links
edit- The Last Outlaw at Iron Outlaw
- The Last Outlaw at IMDb
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