Banished

I can't believe the people slagging off this TV series as being historically inaccurate. If it was to stick to the true letter of historical accounts then it wouldn't be called a "drama" series, it would be a rather dull documentary. Instead this series attempts to draw the viewer into a plausible set of scenarios and relationships that develop as the convicts and marines get to know each other in their new home. Having watched the behind the scenes from the DVD, the writer explains that the absence of Aboriginal contacts in the show was to avoid only paying token reference to them here and there and focus on the narrative of the main characters. Perhaps if a second season is able to get funding then there may be more scope to introduce the aspects of interactions with the aborigines and hopefully show them to be the peaceful people that they are, albeit conflicted by the encroachment of their resources and lands, and the abuse of their women at the hands of brutal marines. This was a really enjoyable series and I only hope an opportunity arises for season 2 to be produced. Great acting by all involved and very realistic sets. Curious to know where the outdoor scenes were was filmed. It's a beautiful area.

I'm sorry Lavina but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the locations and the acting but I have to admit there wasn't the brutality as there would have been in the early stages of the settlement of the real Australia. I also found that certain things didn't look true to life eg When the woman gets flogged shes up and walking the same day after 25 lashes (I don't think so)flogging would have been a major injury which would have needed several days if not weeks to get better. There also wasn't the broad spectrum of ages in the prisoners, there was no age limits to who was transported from children as young as 5yrs through to the elderly and most were sent for as little as supposedly stealing a piece of bread.

Wife and I sadly just finished the last episode only to discover no more seasons are coming. Hopefully BBC will correct this and produce another season. While a few historical licenses were taken for the drama, the acting, the scenery, the story lines, etc, were all outstanding. Thanks to Netflix for showing this in the U.S.

So surprised about the negative reviews of this. I think this was an excellent piece of scriptwriting, so emotive and interesting. No, it may not have been 100% historically accurate but it is drama not a documentary, so should not be expected to be. In fact, I had never heard much of the story of the Australian convicts before, and given that this was based on many true stories, I found it very interesting; usually this time period does not normally interest me but the exploration of power, duty and morals of this period were great. After such good character development and acting, I was in tears after the events of the last episode. Beautiful portrayal of humanity.

I have to be lucky I was exposed to Australian history at quite a young age even for it to be taught in a fascinating manner. I have since maintained a healthy passion for Australia's Colonial History in particular, mainly between the first fleet of 1788 and pre-1901 federation anything before then was Indigenous culture and outsiders Exploration.

'Banished' is particularly inspired by historical events after the landing of the first fleet, and really examines the life and times of the convicts and naval authority of the Penal Colony that would become known as Sydney.

I can honestly say the overall quality of the series was really impressive. There's enough compelling drama and insight into the lives of the convicts and settlers, mostly fighting for survival and civil rights and disobedience challenging the authority. I also loved the genuine sense of historical authenticity reflected in the series' production design, costumes and aesthetics along with some fantastic performances from a talented ensemble cast I admire.

Although the series merely mentions the presence of 'Natives'. It absolutely doesn't show it, which is questionable due to the local Aboriginal tribes feeling the political upheaval of the British Colonists settling on their land. Aborigines now more refer to the First Fleet's colonization as an 'invasion'. I do have enough respect for screenwriter Jimmy McGovern who created this show, along with many other respectable screen writing credits. Even after developing 'Redfern Now' which focused on the lives of Aborigines in Modern Australia he would've had some sense to delve deeper into pressure of the colonist's conflicts with the Aborigines faced at the time.

However, I did really enjoy the series for what it is. If you enjoyed this I recommend 'The Timeless Land', 'The Term of His Natural Life' (1983), 'Against the Wind', 'The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant' and the more recently critically acclaimed miniseries 'The Secret River'.