The Secret River

Good concept but lacking substance. Weird take on how the mob lived up the Hawkesbury, twice we see the boat going up river with smoke signals being used by apparent lookout guards stationed on both sides of the river every couple of hundred metres. Aside from that, it was partially believable but glossed over depth to drive the action to the inevitable massacre. The main character flip flopped between harmonising with the blacks to irrational rage, supposedly so he could take part in the massacre so as to the fit the agenda that all settlers had to massacre some blacks to build their estates (he didn't condone raping the chained woman, but murdering men, women & children was AOK). Lame duck ending.

This production was pure excellence from the opening scenes. From the outset, the audience was catapulted into early colonial Australia. The grit, the grime, the smells. Every experience was visceral and you really felt for the characters as they negotiate the foreign landscape and society. The epic journey down the river delivered snapshots of early colonial life.

The screenplay was sublime. It was authentic. The characters were believable and their personal desires and dreams seemed realistic. The performances were sound and the director shies away from being overly sentimental.

This telemovie is subtle, engrossing, beautiful to look at and makes complete emotional sense.

The first part is not slow – it depicts the migrant experience and presents multiple perspectives so the viewer can understand the shadings and shiftings of viewpoint. This makes the second part work because the viewer sees the ethical dilemma as real and visceral.

Does Thornhill protect his family or does he take a huge chance that would place him outside of his own society and expectations?

The scenario depicted shows why Australia developed the way it did. A tragedy that realistically could not have been avoided.