Basically the series tells our history. But yeah, its not good. It re-enforces those stories, that you hear about but never fully got the whole picture. This documentary series about the beginnings of modern Australian...from the view of those who shot died for cattle, stolen from their parents, raped, got sick from nuclear bomb testings, removed from their lands, discriminated and controlled in every aspect of their lives.
Over the past 221 years, Australia, has gone though a lot. You can not say every aboriginal is right and every white person is evil. But if you look at history its pretty clear that racism isn't just words like it is today. We do have a lot of evil in our past and sometimes you hope this was documentary was a fictional work.
This documentary really does explain our past well...Tells of the beginning of Sydney, the stolen generations, the civil wars, the nuclear testings, the murderous killing fields, the freedom ride of black rights, are just some examples of what to expect in this series.
But really you have to use your imagination and listen to the words more..as there is only a handful pictures (due to the periods covered before film/photography was widely used in some parts)and a many epic shoots over the landscape. Told using excellent narration, interviews and the words written down by those directly involved. The music is fantastic.
But like I said its not the production values that make this series what it is. Seriously the claims made in this series will change your view of Australia, however when your watching this (especially if live overseas) you have understand, that a lot has happened in recent years and for the most part this sh*t doesn't happen anymore..or at least I hope so.
I can connect to the history of this as I am white, but my Nana has told me about the slums on the edge of her town in Northern NSW when she was younger, this street I live in right now WAS part of the slums land that the blacks lived on. I was born and grew up in Sydney/Central Coast so the story of Bennalong and the fact that I am a descendant of the first fleet and Arthur Phillip makes it an important part of my history too.
I brought the series on DVD, it was at the back of the shelf, in the only place in my large country town that sells it. I watched some episodes on television before, but missed out on most of them. Let me tell you, I never buy DVDs, I am 19 and I got no money to do that. But this one is worth it and I will keep it for the rest of my life.
This series is available for viewing on its website for free.
