Against The Wind Complete TV Series (1978 Australian series) (4DVD set) (Dutch Import)

2010 Dutch release. 
Region 2

13 episodes across 4 discs, almost 17 hours of viewing.

Discs and packaging as-new 

Rare and sought-after Australian drama that aired around the world in 1978/1979 that included the memorable theme "Six Ribbons" which was also a hit at the time.

NOTE: The packaging text is in Dutch, but the episodes are in English. Optional subtitles are Dutch only

Against the Wind is a 1978 Australian television miniseries. It is a historical drama portraying both the British rule of Ireland, and the development of New South Wales and Australia.

Jon English won the Logie Award in 1979 for "Best New Talent" for his role in the miniseries as "Jonathan Garrett". It was the first major Australian TV production to be broadcast in the United States.


Plot

Set during Australia's colonial era over the period 17981812, the series follows the life of Mary Mulvane, a daughter of an Irish school master. At 18, she is transported to New South Wales for a term of seven years after attempting to take back her family's milk cow which had been seized by the British "in lieu of tithes" to the local proctor. She endures the trial of a convict sea journey to New South Wales and years of service as a convict before her emancipation and life as a free citizen. During the journey out she makes a lifelong friend of fellow Irish convict, Polly, and in the course of the series we see their friendship continue, Polly's relationship and life with taverner Will Price develop, and Mary's relationship with Jonathan Garrett grows, leading to eventual marriage when both have served their term. Together they face the difficulties of establishing a farm and a young family in the new country, and must deal with the tyranny of the corrupt military running the colony. It is based on factual events of the Garrett Family (as stated in every episode) and the last episode recites what became of the Garretts: they had 5 children and now have many descendants.

Cast

    Mary Larkin as Mary Mulvane / Mary Garrett
    Kerry McGuire as Polly McNamara
    Jon English as Jonathan Garrett
    Warwick Sims as Ensign Greville
    Frank Gallacher as Will Price
    Fred Parslow as Captain Wiltshire
    Gerard Kennedy as Dinny O'Byrne
    Hu Price as Jonas Pike
    Lynn Rainbow as Louisa Wiltshire
    Charles Gilroy as Amos
    Julia Blake as Cook
    Bryan Brown as Michael Connor
    Jim Danton as Thief
    Jane Clifton as Convict Woman
    Jonathan Hardy as Sam Fitchett
    Peter Gwynne
    Walter Pym as Judge Advocate
    Anthony Hawkins as Surgeon Balmain
    Vincent Ball as Governor Macquarie
    John Stanton
    Roger Oakley as Father Dixon
    Lulu Pinkus as Jenny
    Tim Robertson as Holt
    Sean Scully as John Macarthur
    Peter Cummins as Isaac Nichols

Episodes

1    "The Seeds of Fire": Ireland in 1796/97 is seething with rebellion and suppression. Mary is arrested and convicted of theft. She is sentenced to seven years of transportation to New South Wales.
2    "The Wild Geese": February 1797Mary departs Cork for Sydney, meets Polly and survives the long journey to Sydney.
3   "A Question of Guilt": May 1797Mary arrives at Westbury Farm near Parramatta. Polly takes up with Will Price in his country pub.
4   "The Flogging Parson": June 1797Polly prospers with Will. Mary moves up in the farm pecking order.
5    "An Agreement Between Officers and Others": The officers conspire to remove the head overseer and retain free use of convict labour.
6    "A House on the Hill": There are many events but the most important one is the marriage of Mary and Jonathan.
7    "The Tree of Liberty": Disgruntlement against the NSW Corps and government is rife among the convicts and freed settlers.
8    "When Kings Go Forth to Battle": The Battle of Vinegar Hill near Parramatta ends badly for the rebels. Martial law is established.
9    "The Farmer's Friend": A farm is foreclosed upon. Martial law is suspended.
10    "A Matter of Life and Death": Mary gives birth amid much drama. Jonathan goes to jail.
11    "The Spirit of Enterprise": Jonathan struggles to profit from his harvest, but Will comes up with a solution.
12    "The Whip Hand": After the illegal still is discovered, Polly must give evidence against Will.
13    "The Windfall Summer": Polly and Mary both struggle while Jonathan and Will serve time.