Fields of Fire (miniseries)
1987 Australian series about cane cutters
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Fields of Fire is a 1987 Australian mini series about cane cutters in Queensland just prior to and during World War II.
by Robert Donaldson
Robert Marchand
Melissa Docker
Kris McQuade
Nicholas Hammond
| Fields of Fire | |
|---|---|
| Based on | Cane by Robert Donaldson |
| Written by | Miranda Downes Robert Marchand |
| Directed by | Robert Marchand |
| Starring | Todd Boyce Melissa Docker Kris McQuade Nicholas Hammond |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 2 x 2 hours |
| Production | |
| Producers | David Elfick Steve Knapman |
| Budget | $4 million[1] |
| Original release | |
| Network | Nine Network |
| Release | 14 June – 15 June 1987 |
Plot
In 1938, Englishman Bluey arrives in the north Queensland town of Silkwood. Two sisters are interested in him, Kate and Dusty. Their mother is Silkwood's matriarch.
Production
The budget was $4 million, $150,000 of which came from the Queensland Film Corporation.[2] It was shot in Harwood Island, Ulmarra, Clarence River.[1]
Fields of Fire II
| Fields of Fire | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Fields of Fire II |
| Based on | David Elfick Robert Marchand |
| Written by | Patricia Johnson |
| Directed by | Robert Marchand David Elfick |
| Starring | Todd Boyce Melissa Docker Anne Louise Lambert Joseph Spano Nicholas Hammond |
| No. of episodes | 2 x 2 hours |
| Production | |
| Producers | David Elfick Irene Korol |
| Budget | $3.75 million[1] |
| Original release | |
| Network | Nine Network |
| Release | 22 May – 23 May 1988 |
Fields of Fire II is a 1988 sequel set in the late 1940s.
Plot
In 1946 Franco becomes a black marketeer and marries Gina. Bluey marries Dusty after the war.
Fields of Fire III
| Fields of Fire | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Fields of Fire III |
| Written by | Patricia Johnson |
| Directed by | David Elfick Irene Korol |
| Starring | Peta Toppano Noni Hazlehurst Nicholas Hammond |
| No. of episodes | 2 x 2 hours |
| Original release | |
| Network | Nine Network |
| Release | 16 July – 17 July 1989 |
There was a third Fields of Fire in 1988 which dealt with the story in the 1950s.[3]
Plot
In 1951 Gina and her brother Paolo are successful cane growers. Gina is attracted to Rinaldo. The Menzies government holds an anti-communist referendum.
Main cast list
| Character | Actor | Series | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fields of Fire | Fields of Fire II | Fields of Fire III | ||
| Bluey | Todd Boyce | |||
| Dusty | Melissa Docker | |||
| Burgess | Nicholas Hammond | |||
| Elsie | Kris McQuade | |||
| Kate | Anna Hruby | |||
| Kate | Anne-Louise Lambert | |||
| Tiny | Ollie Hall | |||
| Jacko | John Jarratt | |||
| Whacker | Harold Hopkins | |||
| Chook | Patrick Ward | |||
| Acreman | Paul Bertram | |||
| Dave | Ken Radley | |||
| Albie | Philip Quast | |||
| Red | Jack Mayers | |||
| Lofty | Bill Young | |||
| Franco | Terry Serio | |||
| Franco | Joseph Spano | |||
| Gina | Peta Toppano | |||
| Paolo | Robert Ruggiero | |||
| Shorty | Dan Simmonds | |||
| Shorty | Danny Ruggiero | |||
| Dawn | Noni Hazlehurst | |||
| Rinaldo | Martin Sacks | |||
| Basia | Gosia Dobrowolska | |||
| Iris | Michele Fawdon | |||