- Actors: Colin Friels, Diane Cilento, Robert Coleby, Jeremy Coote, Samantha Eggar
- Directors: Rob Stewart
- Producers: For the Term of His Natural Life - Complete Series - 2-DVD Set
- Format: Import, PAL
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 2
- Classification: 15
- Run Time: 283.00 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B003LAMMVG
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 53,920 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Australia released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: In 1830s England, a young aristocrat (Colin Friels, Malcolm) is unjustly convicted of stealing a watch, and is banished for life to a penal colony in Van Dieman's Land. Meanwhile, back in England, an imposter lays claim to the young man's inheritance. But justice will not be held prisoner! ...For the Term of His Natural Life - Complete Series - 2-DVD Set
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This was an "I saw it years ago, will I still like it now?" purchase. It is still a brilliant piece of dramatic story telling.
In the early part of the nineteenth century, Richard Devine learns a shameful (by 1800s standards) family secret and is forced to assume a new identity, Rufus Dawes. Unable to defend himself against a charge of robbery, he is transported to Van Dieman's land "For the term of his natural life". He soon makes enemies among prisoners and guards alike, and endures the brutal regime by holding on to hope, even if he knows it to be false hope, of justice being done. Having escaped against the odds, a selfless act once again plunges him into the hell of the penal colony. His only hope of salvation lies with a traumatised child and an ineffectual preacher.
Almost four and a half hours in length, presented in 3 parts with perfectly judged cliffhangers, this is thoroughly engrossing and the time flies by. Colin Friels heads a superb cast, largely unknown outside Australia, with a performance that never fails to convey Rufus' hope and frustration. Patrick Macnee is also excellent as the colony commandant, never once bringing Macnee's iconic role of Steed to mind with his pitch perfect performance.
Most viewers will be surprised, possibly alarmed, by a lucky charm in one part - but this story is set over a hundred years before the ancient Sanskrit symbol of the wheel of life was subverted to it's present association. It can sometimes still be found in it's original meaning on old carvings in cathedrals and other places of worship. It's just the filmmakers staying true to the original story published 1870 - 1872.
The grim regime of prison colonies is excellently depicted, but far from being just a reminder of the brutality of a previous era, this is also a belting adventure story, with plot twists, betrayals, sudden turns of fortune that will keep you glued to it. Above all it is a portrait of the power of hope to sustain a human being to endure the worst of hardship.
In the early part of the nineteenth century, Richard Devine learns a shameful (by 1800s standards) family secret and is forced to assume a new identity, Rufus Dawes. Unable to defend himself against a charge of robbery, he is transported to Van Dieman's land "For the term of his natural life". He soon makes enemies among prisoners and guards alike, and endures the brutal regime by holding on to hope, even if he knows it to be false hope, of justice being done. Having escaped against the odds, a selfless act once again plunges him into the hell of the penal colony. His only hope of salvation lies with a traumatised child and an ineffectual preacher.
Almost four and a half hours in length, presented in 3 parts with perfectly judged cliffhangers, this is thoroughly engrossing and the time flies by. Colin Friels heads a superb cast, largely unknown outside Australia, with a performance that never fails to convey Rufus' hope and frustration. Patrick Macnee is also excellent as the colony commandant, never once bringing Macnee's iconic role of Steed to mind with his pitch perfect performance.
Most viewers will be surprised, possibly alarmed, by a lucky charm in one part - but this story is set over a hundred years before the ancient Sanskrit symbol of the wheel of life was subverted to it's present association. It can sometimes still be found in it's original meaning on old carvings in cathedrals and other places of worship. It's just the filmmakers staying true to the original story published 1870 - 1872.
The grim regime of prison colonies is excellently depicted, but far from being just a reminder of the brutality of a previous era, this is also a belting adventure story, with plot twists, betrayals, sudden turns of fortune that will keep you glued to it. Above all it is a portrait of the power of hope to sustain a human being to endure the worst of hardship.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What can I say! An amazing film that is moving, powerful, exciting and insightful of the experiences of the Australian convicts. Colin Friels gives an outstanding performance. Although made many years ago, this film has not dated. A brilliant film that will keep you gripped to your seat!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
FOR THE Term of his natural life DVD
12 Sep 2011
Amazon Verified Purchase
Interesting story and generally well told and acted, however the 2nd Disk was faulty and kept stalling. I was disappointed with the the second disk of the DVD; it appeared hastily constructed and a rush to get to the end of the film. Possibly due to lack of capital. The book is an Australian Classic and the DVD does not match its majesty or the general misery experienced by the convicts. The depiction of Port Arthur was incorrect with modern tiled rooves and not the high rock or brick walls of the early prison era.
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