Resurrecting an insurrection

Press, 28 January 1988, Page 11

Resurrecting an insurrection

Australia's most acclaimed actor of recent times, Bryan Brown, stars in the two-part miniseries, “Eureka Stockade,” which screens on Two this evening and tomorrow evening. Fittingly for the Australian bi-centennial year, “Eureka Stockade” is an historical drama. It centres on the only armed insurrection by free men in Australia’s history — the 1854 rebellion on the gold fields that came to be known as the Eureka Stockade. Like the men of the Alamo, the miners fought to defend their territory — not against attacking armies, but against their own colonial government which sought to exploit them. The four-hour miniseries captures the inflamed emotions of the time — the events that led to the uprising, the battle and its aftermath. From the handsome

Irish protagonist and the beautiful heroine, through to the obstinate and brutal Governor of the Colony the series presents a rich tapestry entwined in a battle for survival. In the past few years. Bryan Brown has become Australia’s most . acclaimed actor, both at home and abroad. His performances in such films as “Breaker Morant,” “Winter Of Our Dreams” and “Far East” — and the television miniseries, “A Town Like Alice” — have earned him an international reputation and stardom unequalled in Australian cinema. Brown took the lead role of Peter Lalor in “Eureka Stockade” straight from co-starring with Richard Chamberlain in “The Thorn Birds.” He also appeared with Paul McCartney in the ex-Bea-tle’s first feature film in years. “Give My Regards To Broad Street.”