The Last Outlaw | |
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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 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 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
Production
[edit]The 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
[edit]The 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