The River Kings
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| The River Kings | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | mini-series |
| Written by | Rob George |
| Directed by | Donald Crombie |
| Starring | Tamblyn Lord Bill Kerr |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Rob George |
| Running time | 4 x 1 hour |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | 10 November – 1 December 1991 |
The River Kings is a 1991 Australian mini series based on the novels The River Kings (1966) and Conquest of the River (1970) by Max Fatchen.[1] It had a budget of $3.5 million.[2] The paddle vessel PV Amphibious starred in the series as the Lazy Jane.[3]
During the 1921 Mallee drought, sixteen-year-old Shawn Hoffner leaves behind farm life to find work to support his family. He finds work on a River Murray steamboat.[4]
Cast
- Tamblyn Lord as Shawn Hoffner
- Hamish Fletcher as Michael Hoffner
- Bill Kerr as Captain Elijah
- Willie Fennell as Praying Jack
- Reg Evans as Mallee Ned
- John Cousins as Rasheen
- Edward Hepple as Angus
- Kate Mulcahy as Mary Thompson
- David Bradshaw as Captain Snane
Reception
Domenic Buchanan in the Sydney Morning Herald called it a "a well-made and appealing piece of family entertainment".[5] In the Age's Green Guide Margaret Geddes wrote "If it's nitty gritty realism you're after, you won't find it in The River Kings. On the other hand, if you like a bit of a swoon and a few laughs, enjoy it with your children."[6]