''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 Kinescope , shortened to kine , also known as telerecording in Britain, is a recording of a television program on motion picture film, directly through a lens focused on the screen of a video monitor. The process was pioneered during the 194 ...

recordings. It was a sequel to '' Stormy Petrel''.

Plot

''The Outcasts'' told the story of

William Redfern William Redfern (1774 – 17 July 1833) was an English-raised surgeon in early colonial Australia who was transported to New South Wales as a convict for his role in the Mutiny on the Nore. He is widely regarded as the “father of Australia ...

and his attempts to build a hospital in Sydney in 1808.

Cast

Episodes

Production

''Stormy Petrel'', written by Rex Rienits and Colin Dean, had been a big success for the ABC. In November 1960 it was announced Dean and Rienits would reunite for a serial about William Redfern. In March 1961 Dean said "it has not quite the clear, dramatic line of 'Stormy Petrel'. It involves more people, and although it lacks the central issue of the rebellion, much more happens in 'The Outcasts,' which covers from 1808 to 1822. 'The Outcasts' illustrates the change in the colony — Macquarie's policy of building up a settlement rather than administering it as a penal colony." There was a cast of 42. A huge set was built to replicate George Street. Star Ron Haddrick was best known for his theatre work at the time.

Reception

Reviewing the pilot episode the Sunday '' Sydney Morning Herald'' said "ABN 2 looks as though its done it again... I would say that it has another winner and one that might outclass its predecessor...It hasn't yet got as strong a central figure as Bligh... but, on the other hand, it set the pace and established the theme much more rapidly than the Bligh series which was a little slow to develop." The '' Woman's Weekly'' said the story "seems closer to present-day Australia in its lasting effects than the Bligh rebellion, with its high life at Government House, its turbulence, and its drama. "The Outcasts" is a quieter story, made up of more of the everyday events of life... "The Outcasts" is interesting and excellent TV. I know I'll make great efforts not to miss an episode." '' The Bulletin'' said "For those who like their historical drama presented in the Alfred Dampier manner, with shouting, weeping, oppression of the weak, all the characters pure-white or pure-black in morals and the dialogue scissored out of volumes seven to ten of the “Historical Records of Australia,” the series is good, clean fun. But viewers should not take them as historical gospel."

Sequel

In January 1962 the ABC announced there would be a third series, making it a historical trilogy. It would focus on Darling versus Wentworth.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Outcasts, The (Australian Tv series) 1960s Australian drama television series 1961 Australian television series debuts 1961 Australian television series endings Works by Rex Rienits Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming Black-and-white Australian television shows English-language television shows Australian live television series Period television series Television shows set in colonial Australia