A Town Like Alice (1981)

I can't count the times I have watched this, and although it differs from the book in story line the mood is still the same. The bond that two such diverse people give each other that surpasses trials and years is immortal. And that the element of the women prisoners was an actual event, that did happen to real people. The story is about the strength of character of ordinary people, people who just tried to survive a horrible time in their lives. And this also presented Australia in a real mode. The country is like all countries, areas that everyone loves, quaint country areas and desolate areas. But it gives Shute a stage for Jean's transformation from a lowly outback town to a family community.

I don't know where this movie was shot, but because it was shot on location, it has the authenticity that this story deserves. It is the story of a young English woman who is taken prisoner by the Japanese in southern Asia at the beginning of WWII, with a group of other English women. There is no prison camp for women so they are forced to march for months from place to place, because the Japanese don't know what to do with them. The courage and resilience of the English women, and the bravery of the Australian soldier who tries to help them, is the core of the movie. This movie is very long, maybe 10 hours, so you can watch it as it was shown on PBS, as a series, which actually adds to the feeling of the endless journey this woman makes from England, across this remote island, and finally Australia. Story, cinematography, location and actors combine to make this a movie not to miss. My only question is why this hasn't been released on DVD!

I have read the book and I have seen the 1956 film version and I remembered this mini series with great fondness. However, I have just watched the original five hour version on video and it is flawed. There is far too much of Gordon Jackson's character and his endless repetition of events we have just seen and his weary soul searching (and since when has Strachan been pronounced Strawn?) and the second half in Australia is so dull (when it ought not to be). The programme only comes to life when Helen Morse is on screen and the first half in Malaya when she dominates is gripping at times. Dorothy Alison was also exceptional as Mrs Frith and I regret the programme makers didn't make up a scene to show or tell us what happened to her.

I have seen this film at least 100 times and I am still excited by it, the acting is perfect and the romance between Joe and Jean keeps me on the edge of my seat, plus I still think Bryan Brown is the tops. Brilliant Film.