''The Patriots'' was an Australian television drama mini-series. A period-drama, it aired for 10 episodes on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

in 1962. This was among a series of period dramas produced by the broadcaster, being preceded by ''

Stormy Petrel Storm-petrel may refer to one of two bird families, both in the order Procellariiformes, once treated as the same family. The two families are: *Northern storm petrels (''Hydrobatidae'') are found in the Northern Hemisphere, although some species ...

'' (1960) and '' The Outcasts'' (1961), and followed by ''

The Hungry Ones ''The Hungry Ones'' was an Australian television mini-series. It was a period drama about a pair of husband and wife convicts trying to go straight, consisting of 10 30-minute black-and-white episodes, which aired on ABC. Unlike previous seria ...

'' (1963). The first two had been written by Rex Rienits but this one was written by Phillip Grenville Mann. The cast included

James Condon James Thomas Condon (27 September 1923 – 14 February 2014) was an Australian actor of radio and stage, a scriptwriter and voice over, however best known for his numerous television roles in serials and television movies in Australia, particu ...

as William Charles Wentworth, who gets into trouble while running a newspaper called ''The Australian'' (note: no relation to the current newspaper of the same name). Telerecordings (also known as kinescope recordings) of the episodes are held by

National Archives of Australia The National Archives of Australia (NAA), formerly known as the Commonwealth Archives Office and Australian Archives, is an Australian Government agency that serves as the national archives of the nation. It collects, preserves and encourages ...

Premise

William Wentworth runs a newspaper which brings him into conflict with Governor Darling.

Cast

as William Charles Wentworth *

Allan Trevor Allan Trevor (1923 - 1969) was an Australian actor, writer and producer. Early life He worked on the land for nearly six years but changed careers when he realised he would not earn enough money to buy his own farm. He undertook various other job ...

as Governor Ralph Darling *

Nigel Lovell Nigel Tasman Lovell (27 January 1916 – 13 December 2001) was an Australian stage, radio, film and television actor, and producer of opera and both stage and radio drama. History Lovell was born in Sydney, a son of Tasman Lovell, Professor of ...

as Dr

Robert Wardell Robert Wardell, marble tablet, St James Church, Sydney Robert Wardell (1793 – 7 September 1834) was an English-born Australian barrister and newspaper editor. Early life Wardell was born in England and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge ...

*Beverley Phillips as Sarah Cox *Beryl Marshall as Elizabeth Cox *Marion Johns as Mrs Cox *

Ken Goodlet Kenneth Edwin Goodlet (11 October 1921- 15 November 2006) was an Australian actor with extensive credits in film, radio, TV and theatre, known for Ned Kelly (1970), Bluey (1976) and The Long Arm (1970). Select Credits *''One Morning Near Trood ...

Atholl Fleming Atholl Fleming MBE (6 December 1894 – 6 May 1972) was a British actor and an Australian radio personality. Early life He was the third of nine children of the Rev R. S. Fleming, a Scottish Baptist minister of Pitlochry and later Beckenham in ...

* Alastair Duncan as Captain Robinson *

Ellis Irving Edward Willliam Ellis Irving (2 January 1902 – 27 March 1983) was an Australian film actor who appeared in a number of British films. He was married to the British stage and screen actress Sophie Stewart., ''...Mr. Ellis Irving. is visiting Au ...

as William Dumraresq, brother of Darling's wife *

Ruth Cracknell Ruth Winifred Cracknell AM (6 July 1925 – 13 May 2002) was an Australian character and comic actress, comedienne and author, her career encompassing all genres including radio, theatre, television and film. She appeared in many dramatic as we ...

Barry Creyton Barry Creyton (born 1939, Brisbane, Queensland) is an Australian actor and playwright. Creyton began his professional career in radio and revue in Melbourne, Australia and became well known in Sydney starring in and writing popular comedy-melod ...

*Richard Davies as Attorney-General Moore. *

as Henry Dumraresq

Episodes

*Ep 1 – 27 May (Syd), 10 June (Mel) *Ep 2 – 3 June (Syd), 17 June (Melb) – Wentworth becomes involved in a breach of promise suit *Ep 3 – 10 June (Syd) 24 June (Melb) "The Governor Acts" – Wentworth protests against "rubber stamp" governorship *Ep 4 – 17 June (Syd) 2 July (Melb) *Ep 5 – 24 June (Syd) 9 July (Melb) – "Full scale war" *Ep 6 – 1 July (Syd) 15 July (Melb) – "Pistol Duel" – a duel is fought between William Dumrareq and Robert Wardell *Ep 7 – 8 July (Syd), 22 July (Melb) – "A Marriage in Sydney" – Sarah marries William *Ep 8 – 15 July (Syd) 29 July (Melb) – "A Court Martial" *Ep 9 – 22 July (Syd) 5 Aug (Melb) Darling's answer to Wentworth's impeachment is to hold an official inquiry to the death of Private Sudds *Ep 10–29 July (Syd) 21 Aug (Melb) – final ep

Production

In January 1962 the ABC announced it would make a third historical series, an unofficial sequel to ''Stormy Petrel'' and ''The Outcasts''. The first two were written by Rex Rienits but this one was written by Phillip Grenville Mann, an Australian who had worked in London and replaced Rienits as drama editor at the ABC. "I hope that any factions in it are not dubbed 'goodies' and 'baddies'," said Mann. "When men of principle disagree it does not necessarily follow that they become either heroes or scoundrels. Tragedy – and drama – can sometimes be found in men who act which absolute integrity and in direct conflict with the needs and desires of the people." Designer Phil Hickie spent four months designing 17 sets, plus the costumes and props. More than 200 gallons of paint were used. The series aired in June.

Reception

The ''Australian Women's Weekly'' said she "thought "The Patriots" was a wonderful story that could have had added excitement if it had been played at a quicker pace. I wish it had been done in five one-hour episodes."

References

External links

''The Patriots'' at IMDb
{{DEFAULTSORT:Patriots 1960s Australian drama television series 1962 Australian television series debuts 1962 Australian television series endings Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming Black-and-white Australian television shows English-language television shows Period television series Television shows set in colonial Australia Television plays by Phillip Grenville Mann 1960s Australian mini-series