Australian mini-series & short run tv series (inc. link to poll/vote)
by dfle3 | created - 24 Jan 2014 | updated - 2 months ago | PublicTitles in alphabetical order.
I'll extend this list to include series like "Phoenix" and "Janus" which were some 26 episodes in total screened over two years. My intention is to list programmes that were designed for a short run only, not shows which were axed after a short while due to low ratings etc.
Vote here:
http://www.imdb.com/poll/Td7uxaf4TuU
Since this poll went live before I could tweak it, I'll just now add other titles which I would have included in an extended list if I had had that opportunity...I'll mark them with an asterisk "*".
P.S. I could have done a Brownlow style voting system, personally...i.e. top 3, from 1st:
3 points - Through my eyes
2 points - Vietnam
1 point - Seven little Australians
It's a toss up for the top spot between my top pick and 2nd pick. I also could have given "Return to Eden" a spot too. Some other titles have nostalgia value too but it would be too much of risk to name them without revisiting them sometime.
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1. 1915 (1982)
360 min | Drama, War
Two young men from the country join the army and leave for World War I.
Stars: Scott McGregor, Scott Burgess, Sigrid Thornton, Jackie Woodburne
Votes: 130
ABC TV, 7x1 hour episodes.
2. The Adventures of Long John Silver (1956–1957)
30 min | Adventure, Family
Swashbuckling made for TVs episodes staring 'Legend' Robert newton as Long John Silver and argh 'Jim Larrd' as they face many new adventures......
Stars: Robert Newton, Connie Gilchrist, Kit Taylor, Eric Reiman
Votes: 183
Very surprised to see this was an Australian tv show! Stumbled upon this reference on the website classicaustraliantv.com. Apparently Australia's first ever tv series! The site says, in part:
"The first television series to be produced in Australia was made before we had television. The Adventures Of Long John Silver was a 26 episode, half-hour series made for the English and American markets...It is somewhat ironic that this should be Australia's first television series".
3. A Fortunate Life (1986)
371 min | Biography, Drama, History
Four part biopic about classic Australian author A.B. Facey (1894-1982). Born in a large impoverished family, uneducated and illiterate, he had to fend for himself since he was eight, and as a recruit in WWI, he was sent to Gallipoli.
Stars: Bill Kerr, Dorothy Alison, Dale Randall, John Ley
Votes: 113
4. Against the Wind (1978)
617 min | Drama, History, Western
Mary Mulvane, an 18 year old Irish girl, is transported to New South Wales for seven years for doing little else than protecting her own property. She must endure the horror of transport to... See full summary »
Stars: Mary Larkin, Kerry McGuire, Jon English, Warwick Sims
Votes: 946
5. Alice to Nowhere (1986)
Not Rated | 110 min | Crime, Drama, Horror
A nurse who has been hired to staff a remote outpost in the Australian outback unwittingly carries a stash of jewels taken in a foiled robbery. The robbers track her to the outback, and are... See full summary »
Stars: John Waters, Steve Jacobs, Rosey Jones, Esben Storm
Votes: 89
* Returning this title to my original list.
6. All the Rivers Run (1983–1990)
400 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
Orphaned after a shipwreck off the Victorian coast of Australia, the beautiful and spirited Philadelphia Gordon finds both love and adventure aboard a paddle-steamer on the Murray River.
Stars: Sigrid Thornton, John Waters, Darius Perkins, John Alansu
Votes: 710
* Returning this title to my original list.
7. Anzac Girls (2014)
60 min | Action, Drama, History
The true stories of extraordinary young women who witness the brutality and heroism of war and rise to meet the challenge.
Stars: Georgia Flood, Antonia Prebble, Laura Brent, Anna McGahan
Votes: 1,553
Saw promotions for this mini-series on ABC TV. It just looked awful. It seemed written on the same level as a soapie. Was listening to talkback radio today (14/08/2014) and it was revealed that one of the writers had actually written for the successful soapie "Home and away"...which explains it. She also wrote for the more 'serious' "Underbelly" show.
Most of the talkback was negative on this show and only two or three stating that they would give it another episode or two before deciding whether to continue watching it or not. Not exactly a ringing endorsement!
That being said, I probably wouldn't have been inclined to watch this even if I hadn't of been put off by the promotions or the negative talkback calls.
8. Anzacs (1985)
165 min | Drama, History, War
Following the lives of a dozen Australian soldiers who served in the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during World War I which follows them from the 1915 battle of Galipoli, to ... See full summary »
Stars: Andrew Clarke, Paul Hogan, Jon Blake, Megan Williams
Votes: 845
*
9. A Town Like Alice (1981)
301 min | Drama, Romance, War
Set against the brutal chaos of World War II, a love story begins that will take two lovers through a living nightmare of captivity, across three continents and two decades.
Stars: Helen Morse, Bryan Brown, Gordon Jackson, John Lee
Votes: 1,057
10. Bangkok Hilton (1989)
90 min | Drama, Thriller
The story of Kat Stanton, an Australian woman searching for her father who, whilst travelling back from London to Australia via Thailand, makes friends with Arkie Ragan, a photographer. Kat... See full summary »
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Denholm Elliott, Hugo Weaving, Joy Smithers
Votes: 5,132
11. Better Man (2013)
Drama
Exactly how much risk would you take to save your brother? For Van Nguyen the answer was whatever it takes and the devastating consequence of his attempt to traffic heroin from Cambodia to ... See full summary »
Stars: Remy Hii, Jordan Rodrigues, Hien Nguyen, Aileen Huynh
Votes: 238
Based on a true story about a convicted drug smuggler who is sentenced to death.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Man_(miniseries)
12. Blue Murder (1995)
198 min | Crime, Drama
Set in 1980s Sydney, this acclaimed mini-series tells the story of the relationship between corrupt Detective Roger Rogerson and one of Australia's most infamous criminals Neddy Smith.
Stars: Richard Roxburgh, Tony Martin, Steve Bastoni, Gary Day
Votes: 1,112
Two part mini-series on ABC TV.
13. Bodyline (1984)
330 min | Drama, History, Sport
Dramatization of the 1932/33 Test cricket series between England and Australia. Played in Australia, the series gained notoriety in Australian and worldwide cricketing history for the fact ... See full summary »
Stars: Hugo Weaving, Gary Sweet, Jim Holt, Rhys McConnochie
Votes: 839
14. Boy Swallows Universe (2024)
TV-MA | 58 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
In 1980s Brisbane, a precocious boy and his selectively mute brother embark on a suburban odyssey of love, redemption, and retribution after their family is torn apart by a drug lord.
Stars: Simon Baker, Bryan Brown, Phoebe Tonkin, Anthony LaPaglia
Votes: 16,895
* New addition to this list.
15. Brides of Christ (1991)
Drama
Diane, a young woman growing up in Australia in the mid 1960s, walks away from her fiancé to join a convent after being sure she has a calling to the faith. The Catholic Church and its ... See full summary »
Stars: Brenda Fricker, Sandy Gore, Josephine Byrnes, Lisa Hensley
Votes: 700
"The morning after Brides of Christ debuted on ABC, in the spring of 1991, Channel Nine boss Kerry Packer phoned his chief programmer. “Did we pass on that nun s_t?” he demanded to know.".
https://www.theage.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/brides-of-christ-the-drama-that-continues-to-resonate-30-years-later-20211015-p590gp.html
16. Brock (2016)
Biography, Drama, Sport
A unique story about Australian car racing legend Peter Brock. He was the man that started the whole Holden vs Ford rivalry in the early 70's. This story takes a look at his colourful life.... See full summary »
Stars: Matthew Le Nevez, Brendan Cowell, Ella Scott Lynch, Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Votes: 99
* About the legendary Australian racing car driver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brock_(miniseries)
17. Cash and Company (1975)
622 min | Action, Drama, Western
Wanted by the law, likeable bushrangers Sam Cash and cigar smoking accomplice Joe Brady are men with purpose and the know how to stay one sneaky step ahead of the authorities.
Stars: Serge Lazareff, Penne Hackforth-Jones, Gus Mercurio, Bruce Kerr
Votes: 43
* 13 x 1 hour episodes. Spawned the follow up series "Tandarra".
18. Catching Milat (2015)
Crime
Follows the life of Ivan Milat, the backpack killer.
Stars: Richard Cawthorne, Geoff Morrell, Malcolm Kennard, David Field
Votes: 674
Based on the true case of the notorious serial killer Ivan Milat (the backpacker murders), who everyone thinks of now when the phrase "The Belanglo state forest" is mentioned.
19. Changi (2001)
345 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A six-part miniseries which follows six young Australians who go to war, full of confidence and bravado. They land in Singapore in 1942, just in time for surrender. With 15,000 others, they... See full summary »
Stars: Stephen Curry, Anthony Hayes, Leon Ford, Matthew Newton
Votes: 418
20. Clickbait (2021)
TV-MA | 46 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When family man Nick Brewer is abducted in a crime with a sinister online twist, those closest to him race to uncover who is behind it and why.
Stars: Zoe Kazan, Betty Gabriel, Phoenix Raei, Adrian Grenier
Votes: 60,303
* An article in The Age newspaper, 25/01/2024 says "technically classed as a foreign production in Australia", so a query as to whether it belongs in this list.
21. The Circuit (2007–2010)
TV-14 | 312 min | Drama
A magistrate and a group of court officers and lawyers make a regular five-day, 2,000-kilometer round trip to bring justice to remote communities in northwestern Australia.
Stars: Aaron Pedersen, Kelton Pell, Tammy Clarkson, Marta Kaczmarek
Votes: 424
Hopefully I've linked to the right entry at this site. Wikipedia states that the series I have in mind ran for 2 series with 6 episodes in each, for the years 2007 and 2009-2010, on SBS TV.
22. Cloudstreet (2011)
342 min | Drama
The lives of two working class Australian families who come to live together at One Cloud Street, over a period of twenty years, 1943 - 1963.
Stars: Kerry Fox, Geoff Morrell, Stephen Curry, Essie Davis
Votes: 574
23. Correlli (1995)
Not Rated | 543 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Kevin Jones arrives at Blackstream prison beaten and suffering from brain damage-a state he wasn't in at sentencing. Something happened to him during his transfer, and though the prison psychologist tries to help him remember...he can't.
Stars: Deborra-Lee Furness, Hugh Jackman, Sue Jones, Tenley Gillmore
Votes: 207
Putting this here on the assumption that it was intended as a short run series and not axed after one series.
This is apparently the show where Hugh Jackman and Deborah-Lee Furness first met and fell in love...they're now married and have been for a long time.
24. The Cowra Breakout (1984)
50 min | Action, Drama, War
In August 1944, 1104 Japanese prisoners of war at the Australian POW camp at Cowra stage a mass breakout. Four guards are killed in the escape, and 231 prisoners die by wounds sustained or ... See full summary »
Stars: Alan David Lee, Dennis Miller, Tracy Mann, Andrew Lloyde
Votes: 140
*
25. The Damnation of Harvey McHugh (1994)
50 min | Drama
Harvey McHugh just wants a permanent job in the civil service. Unfortunately, he works for a minister who thinks nothing of resorting to corruption, murder, terrorism, and using Harvey as a... See full summary »
Stars: Aaron Blabey, Monica Maughan, Philip Quast, Ronald Falk
Votes: 49
*
26. Deep Water (2016)
Not Rated | 55 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When a young gay man is brutally murdered near Bondi Beach, Detectives Tori Lustigman and Nick Manning are assigned to investigate. After more bodies are found, Tori links the deaths to a series of murders of gay men in the 1980s and '90s.
Stars: Noah Taylor, Yael Stone, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Danielle Cormack
Votes: 3,893
4 part miniseries on SBS TV about the true story of homosexuals in Sydney being murdered.
Wikipedia: "SBS screened a documentary, Deep Water: The Real Story in conjunction with the miniseries"
27. Devil's Playground (2014)
45 min | Drama
Deals with the issue of crimes committed by Australian Catholic clergy.
Stars: Simon Burke, Don Hany, John Noble, Andrew McFarlane
Votes: 337
A sequel to the film "The Devil's playground".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Playground_(TV_series)
28. The Dirtwater Dynasty (1988)
100 min | Drama
"Dirtwater Dynasty" is the story of embittered rivalry, triumph and despair. The life of Richard Eastwick is told in a story spanning three generations and eight decades. Born in the London... See full summary »
Stars: Hugo Weaving, Victoria Longley, Steve Jacobs, Bruce Spence
Votes: 200
29. The Dismissal (1983)
90 min | Drama, History
The drama surrounding the dismissal of Mr. Gough Whitlam as the Labor Prime Minister of Australia - on 11 November, 1975 - by the then Governor-General of Australia, Sir John Kerr - and the... See full summary »
Stars: Max Phipps, John Stanton, John Meillon, Bill Hunter
Votes: 202
30. The Dunera Boys (1985)
200 min | Drama, War
At the start of WWII the British Government decided to arrest all Germans in the UK no matter how long they had been here. Among those arrested were many Jewish refugees and many who were ... See full summary »
Stars: Joseph Spano, Bob Hoskins, Joseph Fürst, Mary-Anne Fahey
Votes: 160
* Was reminded of this mini-series I missed by Phillip Adams, on Late Night Live last night (14/06/2017) in his interview with Richard Ackland. Adams stated that he thought that this mini-series was the "apotheosis" of Channel Ten's foray into mini-series, prompted by the generous tax concessions offered by the federal government under the 10A provisions (maybe it was 10B or 10BA...not sure, see link below):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_and_television_financing_in_Australia
31. Elly & Jools (1990)
25 min | Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure
After their home is robbed for the third time, the Trevaller family relocates from Sydney to the small town of Waterloo Creek, where Jools Trevaller encounters Elly - a Ghost.
Stars: Rebecca Smart, Clayton Williamson, Abigail, Dennis Miller
Votes: 68
* 12 x 25 minute episodes.
32. Eureka Stockade (1984)
190 min | Drama
A miniseries on the Eureka Rebellion in Australia back in 1854
Stars: Bryan Brown, Bill Hunter, Carol Burns, Amy Madigan
Votes: 63
33. Fires (2021– )
104 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
Determination, Resilience, Community Sprit and Survival of a catastrophic bushfire season that tore through the hearts of Australia and the world.
Stars: Hunter Page-Lochard, Kaden Hartcher, Eliza Scanlen, Richard Roxburgh
Votes: 788
"Fires is an anthology series about the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season megafires which devastated Australia and captured the world's attention".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fires_(TV_series)
I remember items in the news about over a billion animals being killed in these fires.
34. The Flying Doctors (1985)
267 min | Drama, Romance
Follows the lives of those in the Australian outback flying-doctor service.
Stars: Andrew McFarlane, Lorna Patterson, Keith Eden, Vikki Hammond
Votes: 176
A year later this became a regular tv series...and along running one at that too.
Wikipedia has x3 episodes to this mini-series and 221 for the series on the Nine Network, from 1986 - 1993.
35. For the Term of His Natural Life (1983)
520 min | Adventure, Drama
In 1830's England, a young man from a good but troubled family is unjustly convicted of stealing a watch. He's transported to Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania) where he suffers under the enmity ... See full summary »
Stars: Anthony Perkins, Patrick Macnee, Samantha Eggar, Diane Cilento
Votes: 234
The 1983 mini-series on the Nine network, x3 by 2 hour episodes. Screened from 23/05/1985.
36. The Fourth Wish (1974)
Drama
Twelve year old Sean is dying of leukaemia, with only a few months to live, and his blue-collar dad Casey decides he'll brighten his life up by granting him three wishes: to own a dog, be reunited with his mother, and meet the Queen.
Stars: John Meillon, Noeline Brown, Judi Farr, Barbara Frawley
Votes: 23
37. Gallipoli (2015)
44 min | Drama, History, War
Four young Australian boys join the military and are sent to Gallipoli.
Stars: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Harry Greenwood, Sam Parsonson, Tom Budge
Votes: 2,381
38. The Girl from Tomorrow (1991–1992)
23 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
In the year 3000, Alana is kidnapped by evil Silverthorn, after a time travel experiment goes wrong. He takes Alana to the year 1990. With the help of Jenny Kelly and family, Alana must find Silverthorn before the time capsule leaves.
Stars: Katharine Cullen, Melissa Marshall, James Findlay, Andrew Clarke
Votes: 1,310
39. Golden Fiddles (1991)
Not Rated | 240 min | Drama
A heartwarming rags-to-riches story of a family during the Depression. The story is from a novel by Mary Grant Bruce.
Stars: Kate Nelligan, John Bach, Rachel Friend, Cameron Daddo
Votes: 60
40. The Harp in the South (1987)
281 min | Drama
A tale that centres on the bittersweet first and last loves of Roie, who becomes a woman too quickly living among the tenement houses, razor gangs, brothels and sly-grog shops of inner Surry Hills.
Stars: Anne Phelan, Martyn Sanderson, Anna Hruby, Kaarin Fairfax
Votes: 88
Based on a book by Ruth Park of the same name (1948), which was followed up a sequel novel/mini-series "Poor man's orange" and a prequel (novel only) "Missus".
41. Howzat! Kerry Packer's War (2012)
180 min | Drama, Sport
The Ashes is the pinnacle of world cricket with two old enemies, Australia and England, going head to head. This series is the story of World Series Cricket and its creator, Australian ... See full summary »
Stars: Lachy Hulme, Abe Forsythe, Damon Gameau, Brendan Cowell
Votes: 737
42. The Hungry Ones (1963)
30 min | Drama, History
Historical drama about husband and wife convicts, Will and Mary trying to go straight.
Stars: Leonard Teale, Fay Kelton, Edward Hepple, Nigel Lovell
Wikipedia states:
ABC period drama mini-series, 10 x 30 minute episodes.
43. I Can Jump Puddles (1981)
60 min | Drama
We follow the life of Alan Marshall who was struck down by Polio as a child and it shows how he overcame the crippling effects of the disease. It traces his life from childhood into early ... See full summary »
Stars: Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Tony Barry, Julie Hamilton, Adam Garnett
Votes: 67
The mini-series...x9 episodes of 48 minutes length each, and started from 07/06/1981, on ABC TV, according to Wikipedia.
44. Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS (2014)
TV-MA | 180 min | Drama
The story of INXS, their personal lives and their rise to fame from Australian pubs to stadiums all around the world.
Stars: Damon Herriman, Luke Arnold, Hugh Sheridan, Andrew Ryan
Votes: 1,438
* INXS: Never tear us apart
About the great Australian music group.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INXS:_Never_Tear_Us_Apart
45. Janus (1994–1995)
50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Four members of the infamous Hennessey clan are acquitted of the shooting of two policemen in a bungled bank heist. Melbourne is shocked as brothers Mal and Steve, along with brother-in-law Darren Mack and friend Ken Hardy, walk free.
Stars: Chris Haywood, Simon Westaway, Jeremy Kewley, Felix Nobis
Votes: 106
* A follow up series to "Phoenix", which is also in this list. 2 series of x13 episodes each.
46. Jonah (1962–1964)
30 min | Adventure, Drama, History
"Jonah" is a historical drama series about Jonah Locke, a merchant trader in the early Australian colony.
Stars: Hilary Bamberger, Neil Fitzpatrick, Brian James, Harry Dearth
Wikipedia states: Seven Network, 20 episodes. The series still exists. The name of the series rings a bell with me, but more due to thinking that it comes from an Australian novel, I think, which had a character of that name...maybe even the name of the book! Wikipedia not much help here.
47. Jonah (1982)
60 min | Drama
At the beginning of the 20th Century a lad living on the streets decided to make something of himself.
Stars: Jonathan Sweet, Claire Crowther, Liddy Clark, Doreen Warburton
4 x 60 minute episodes (?) according to this site. Not sure if this series the same character as the earlier series in this list.
48. The Last Outlaw (1980)
380 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
Australia's most famous bushranger, Ned Kelly.
Stars: John Jarratt, Steve Bisley, Elaine Kussack, John Ley
Votes: 138
49. The Magistrate (1989)
313 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Italian magistrate Paolo Pizzi (Franco Nero) has devoted his life to justice. With an inflexible sense of honour and duty, he has stood up to the crime bosses, the corrupt judges and the ... See full summary »
Stars: Franco Nero, Catherine Wilkin, Dennis Miller, Steve Bastoni
Votes: 27
* "The magistrate". Wikipedia lists this title as an Australian production from 1989, starring Franco Nero. It also states that there were six episodes, of one hour each.
I know that I saw this series and really liked it...I just can't remember anything about it now, though.
Not exactly sure why this title now comes up as a film on this site and with it's title in Italian.
50. Mirror, Mirror (1995–1998)
30 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
When Jo Tiegan is given a mirror as a gift by the elderly owner of an antique shop, she is amazed to see another girl's image in the mirror instead of her own reflection.
Stars: Antonia Prebble, Ben Revell, Jovita Lee, Simon James
Votes: 620
* 20 x 24 minute episodes. Australia/New Zealand co-production.
* "Molly"
For some reason, IMDB does not list the correct title for this, which is "Molly". It's about the influential host of iconic music programme "Countdown", who gave many international artists their first hits anywhere in the world, including Blondie and John Mellencamp, back when he was known as "Johnny Cougar" although I don't know whether this mini series mentions that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_(miniseries)
52. The Newsreader (2021– )
TV-MA | 313 min | Drama
In the 1980s, an embattled anchorwoman and an ambitious reporter confront studio politics and their own desires as they navigate the cut-throat world of Australia's news media.
Stars: Anna Torv, Sam Reid, William McInnes, Michelle Lim Davidson
Votes: 3,400
At the moment I don't know if this had only one series. If it keep having more series, I'd say I'd have to remove it from this list.
53. On the Beach (2000 TV Movie)
195 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
After a global nuclear war, the residents of Australia must come to terms with the fact that all life will be destroyed in a matter of months.
Director: Russell Mulcahy | Stars: Armand Assante, Rachel Ward, Bryan Brown, Jacqueline McKenzie
Votes: 4,141
* IMDB lists this as a 3 part mini-series.
54. The Outcasts (1961)
Drama
The Outcasts was a 1961 Australian television serial. A period drama, it was broadcast live, though with some film inserts. All 12 episodes of the serial survive as kinescope recordings. It was a sequel to Stormy Petrel.
Stars: Amber Mae Cecil, John Unicomb, Ron Haddrick, Henry Gilbert
Wikipedia states:
"The Outcasts was a 1961 Australian television mini-series. A period drama, it was broadcast live, though with some film inserts. All episodes survive as kinescope recordings
Plot
The Outcasts told the story of William Redfern and his attempts to build a hospital in Sydney in 1808".
55. Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo (2011)
60 min | Biography, Drama, History
The Whitlam era as seen through the eyes of Cleo magazine and its young editor, Ita Buttrose.
Stars: Asher Keddie, Rob Carlton, Jessica Tovey, Ian Meadows
Votes: 508
56. Paper Giants: Magazine Wars (2013)
Drama
Mini-Series about the golden years of the glossy women's magazines and the battle to have the number one selling publication in Australia.
Stars: Rachel Griffiths, Mandy McElhinney, Rob Carlton, Khan Chittenden
Votes: 141
57. The Patriots (1962)
30 min | Drama, History
William Charles Wentworth gets into trouble with the governor who believes Sydney is still British when he starts a newspaper called "The Australian".
Stars: James Condon, Allan Trevor, Nigel Lovell, Beverley Phillips
Wikipedia states:
"The Patriots was an Australian television drama mini-series. A period-drama, it aired for 10 episodes on ABC in 1962...Telerecordings (also known as kinescope recordings) of the episodes are held by National Archives of Australia".
58. Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door (2015)
170 min | Drama
The two part mini-series tells the remarkable story of Peter Allen's rise from country New South Wales to the Hollywood Hills, becoming part of American royalty along the way.
Stars: Joel Jackson, Rebecca Gibney, Sara West, Rob Mills
Votes: 311
Based on the life of the flamboyant Australian entertainer.
59. Phoenix (1992–1993)
50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Phoenix is an Australian police drama television series.
Stars: Simon Westaway, Peter Cummins, Sean Scully, Susie Edmonds
Votes: 172
* This spawned a spin-off series (also included here) called "Janus". 2 series of x13 episodes each.
60. Poor Man's Orange (1987)
190 min | Drama
It is the early '50s and the Darcy family continues their struggle to build a better life despite the forces lined up against them in this sequel to the popular made-for-TV film Harp in the... See full summary »
Stars: Anne Phelan, Martyn Sanderson, Kaarin Fairfax, Anna Hruby
Votes: 69
The sequel to "The harp in the south" (1948 for that, 1949 for the sequel). Both were based on Ruth Park's novels of the same name, who later wrote a prequel (1985) "Missus", which wasn't turned into a mini-series.
61. Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story (2013)
Drama
The true story about the life and Times of Channel 9 owner and millionaire Kerry Packer
Stars: Lachy Hulme, Patrick Brammall, Luke Ford, Alexander England
Votes: 113
62. Power Without Glory (1976)
50 min | Drama
Award-winning historical drama series which traces the life of John West from his impoverished youth in the depression of the 1890s, to his death as a multi-millionaire some sixty years later.
Stars: Martin Vaughan, Rosalind Speirs, John Wood, Heather Canning
Votes: 94
63. Return to Eden (1983)
267 min | Drama, Romance, Thriller
Meet plain but privileged multi-millionairess Stephanie Harper, whose sole mistake is to fall for handsome young sporting hero Greg Marsden.
Stars: Rebecca Gilling, James Reyne, Wendy Hughes, James Smillie
Votes: 1,635
64. Robbery Under Arms (1985 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 141 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Fourth adaptation and first made for television of the classic Australian bushranger novel "Robbery Under Arms" by Rolf Boldrewood. Made by the South Australian Film Corporation during the ... See full summary »
Directors: Donald Crombie, Ken Hannam | Stars: Sam Neill, Steven Vidler, Christopher Cummins, Liz Newman
Votes: 239
The mini-series.
65. Secrets & Lies (2014)
327 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
A man who finds the body of a young boy quickly becomes the prime murder suspect, putting his life and his family at risk.
Stars: Martin Henderson, Anthony Hayes, Diana Glenn, Adrienne Pickering
Votes: 2,299
Hopefully this is a mini-series...hard to get information on it...so far it's had a 6 episode run in Australia and is being remade in the U.S.
66. The Secret River (2015)
Adventure, Drama, History
In 1806, William Thornhill is sentenced to New South Wales for life where he is drawn into a terrifying conflict that will leave a bloody and indelible stain.
Stars: Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Sarah Snook, Lachy Hulme, Tim Minchin
Votes: 675
67. Seven Little Australians (1973)
294 min | Drama, Family
Based on Ethel Turner's classic children's novel, this award-winning miniseries is about a family of seven children set in 1890s Australia.
Stars: Barbara Llewellyn, Mark Clarke, Anna Hruby, Jennifer Cluff
Votes: 108
I was surprised to see discussion in this site's forum for that title that the U.S. screened a heavily altered version of this story...it basically changed the original ending which was screened in Australia.
68. The Shiralee (1987)
Not Rated | 180 min | Drama, Family
Macauley is a swagman who finds himself in charge of his young daughter, Buster. The pair hike across the harsh outback landscape, in an attempt to repair their relationship and find a home.
Stars: Bryan Brown, Noni Hazlehurst, Rebecca Smart, Lewis Fitz-Gerald
Votes: 461
* The two part mini-series.
69. Shout! - The Story of Johnny O'Keefe (1985)
100 min
Dramatisation of the life of the Australian rock singer from his peak success in the 1950s.
Stars: Terry Serio, John McTernan, Marcelle Schmitz, Candy Raymond
Votes: 49
* 1986 mini-series about Australia's rock'n'roll pioneer.
70. The Slap (2011)
Not Rated | 354 min | Drama
Traces the shattering repercussions of a single event upon a group of family and friends. Based on Christos Tsiolkas' best-selling novel.
Stars: Jonathan LaPaglia, Sophie Okonedo, Melissa George, Alex Dimitriades
Votes: 2,868
71. Spit MacPhee (1988)
60 min | Drama
The authorities want to take Spit MacPhee (Philip Hancock) away from his grandfather, Fyfe MacPhee (Sir John Mills), and put him in a children's home, but the young whippersnapper has other ideas.
Stars: John Mills, Philip Hancock, John Bach, Elspeth Ballantyne
Votes: 21
72. Stormy Petrel (1960)
30 min | Drama, History
The story of Mutiny On The Bounty's William Bligh.
Stars: Brian James, Delia Williams, Alistair Duncan, Ric Hutton
Wikipedia states:
ABC, 12 part series on historical figure William Bligh.
73. Tandarra (1976)
50 min | Drama, Western
Following the next exciting chapter in the lives of Aussie bushrangers, Tandarra is the lively spin-off of the classic 1850s era television series, Cash & Company.
Stars: Gerard Kennedy, Penne Hackforth-Jones, Gus Mercurio, David John
Votes: 30
* A follow up to "Cash and company". 13 x 1 hour episode run.
74. Through My Eyes (2004)
240 min | Biography, Drama
The true life story of Lindy Chamberlain and her recount of a dingo taking her baby.
Stars: Miranda Otto, Craig McLachlan, Peter O'Brien, Steven Vidler
Votes: 177
The mini-series.
75. The Timeless Land (1980)
55 min | Adventure, Drama, History
A miniseries about European settlement and exploration of Australia produced and broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Stars: Angela Punch McGregor, Robin Stewart, Brian Hinzlewood, Michael Craig
Votes: 46
76. True Believers (1988)
60 min | Drama, History
Dramatization of Australian political life between 1945 and 1954.
Stars: Simon Chilvers, John Bonney, Nick Tate, Ray Meagher
Votes: 43
Drama about the history of the Australian Labor Party after World War 2 and to the great split amongst their ranks in 1955, according to Wikipedia. This entry added 04/11/2016.
77. Underbelly (2008–2013)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Each season of this multi-award-winning television series takes you through a 13-episode run in the rise and fall of real-life Australian underworld figures as told from both sides of the law.
Stars: Caroline Craig, Paul Tassone, Dieter Brummer, Daniel Roberts
Votes: 5,278
78. Vietnam (1987)
45 min | Drama, War
Vietnam is a stunningly powerful re-enactment of the bitterly controversial issue of Australia's involvement in what was perceived as an American war.
Stars: Barry Otto, Nicole Kidman, Nicholas Eadie, Veronica Lang
Votes: 592
Wrong picture for this item. Stars Nicole Kidman in her finest role, I think.
79. Wandjina! (1966)
30 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Wandjina. was about three young people who come across a mysterious valley. They find a cave which has wall paintings of the Wandjina spirit people. From then on they start to see some strange things.
Stars: David Yorston, Mark McManus, Anne Haddy, Brian James
Votes: 14
Found about this show recently (2014) watching some programme on ABC TV which mentioned that Jackie Weaver was in this and showed a clip from it. Wikipedia lists this as a children's science fantasy based on Aboriginal dreamtime stories. Maybe I should have a separate section for Australian children's shows...but the 7 episode run of this series fits in with my criteria for this list in any case.
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