The original novel was a best-seller in its day. This screen adaptation was about as convincing as a junior high school production. Nothing seemed to work ... accents were inconsistent and inaccurate, delivery was appalling, script was poorly constructed. Sets, costumes, sound, make-up and lighting were ridiculously caricatured. At times it seemed as if the whole thing were supposed to be some sort of joke. I kept waiting for a punchline which never arrived. As it progressed, I felt more and more uncomfortable and acutely embarrassed that overseas viewers might think that we're actually proud of material such as this.
It's hard to understand how such a talented group of Australian actors could put their names to such amateurish rubbish.
Such a disappointment!
