Against the Wind

1978
Against the Wind

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 The Seeds of Fire Sep 12, 1978

Mary and her boyfriend Michael are harrassed by British soldiers while out walking. In repsonse to the troops taking over a nearby farm, Michael and his mates burn down the house which is now being used to store supplies. When the Mulvane family can't pay rent and church tax, the British troops take their cow away as payment. Mary and Michael attempt to retrieve the cow back but are discovered and Michael is shot dead - leaving Mary to stand trial.

EP2 The Wild Geese Sep 12, 1978

Mary is onboard a convict transport ship on route to Australia and Polly, a streetwise convict in charge, makes Mary life harder. Ensign Grenville gives Mary a chance to escape the prison below, but he is furious when she turns down his offer. This leads him to what revenge which backfires when Mary cuts a soldier in self-defence. Worse is to come though when there is talk of a mutiny.

EP3 A Question of Guilt Sep 19, 1978

A concerned Doctor ensures that Mary is given a good chance in the colony by being assigned to Captain Wiltshire. He sends Jonathan to escourt her back, himself a convict serving his sentence. Polly decides that she isn't going to let just any man choose her, so she does the work and snags Will Price, an Innkeeper.

EP4 The Flogging Parson Sep 19, 1978

The men are forced to work very hard at their labour. Jonathan befriends a wiley fellow convict Dinny O'Byrne.

EP5 An Agreement Between Officers and Others Sep 26, 1978

Mary meets up again with Polly, a fellow captive on the long sea voyage to the colony, who now works at the local inn. Jonathan learns to read and write prior to becoming a free man.

EP6 A House on the Hill Oct 03, 1978

Mary, who had originally planned to return to Ireland, decideds to stay in the Colony and marry Jonathan after seeing his house and land.

EP7 The Tree of Liberty Oct 10, 1978

Work on the land is hard and there is talk of an uprising among the convicts and Jonathan, against Mary's will, wants to help them.

EP8 When Kings Go Forth to Battle Oct 17, 1978

The uprising has begun but the convicts are tricked and betrayed. The British troops are too powerful and the uprising has failed.

EP9 The Farmer's Friend Oct 17, 1978

Dinny, although wounded, escapes the slaughter and hides at Jonathan's house. Meanwhile, their old adversary, Ensign Greville has taken over the neighbouring farm.

EP10 A Matter of Life and Death Oct 24, 1978

Dinny finds an Aboriginal wife and, as he is a wanted man, has to live rough in the bush with her. Mary gives birth to a son. Dinny is spotted by the military and shot dead.

EP11 The Spirit of Enterprise Oct 24, 1978

Crops are bad at Jonathan's farm and the military want to take advantage of this and buy the crops off his farm from him. Jonathan finally has no choice but to sell. Later he finds out the payment is only given out in rum!

EP12 The Whip Hand Oct 31, 1978

Jonathan and Will, Polly's husband, start their own illegal distillery. But when this is discovered , Will is fiercely punished.

EP13 The Windfall Summer Oct 10, 1978

Ensign Greville uses Mrs Wiltshire's affection for him to gain power in the Colony. Jonathan is sentenced to 6 months jail for writing a letter to the Governor exposing the corruption of the overseers after he refuses to do as the new 'government' order. Will is still imprisioned after being turned in for his whiskey making.
8.2| 0h30m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 12 September 1978 Ended
Producted By: Pegasus Productions
Country: Australia
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.australiantelevision.net/against-the-wind/
Synopsis

Against the Wind was a 1978 Australian television mini-series. It is a historical drama portraying both the British rule of Ireland, and the development of New South Wales and Australia. The producers were Bronwyn Binns, Ian Jones and Henry Crawford. The directors were George T. Miller and Simon Wincer. The scriptwriters were Bronwyn Binns, Ian Jones, Peter Kinlock, Tony Morphett, Paul Davies and Cliff Green. Jon English won the Logie Award in 1979 for "Best new talent" for his role in the miniseries as "Jonathan Garrett". The complete series is now available on DVD in Australia, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands in PAL format. It is also available in North American format.

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Pegasus Productions

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Reviews

tonymellow-237-272137 I watched this great mini-series when it first premiered here in Australia in 1978.I was 16 at the time.The acting,story line and beautiful music and the characters was fantastic.To watch some of our best actors and actresses was worth it.The historical aspect about Australia and what it was how to live in Australia when it was first being settled and was still a penal colony brings a real educational part of the story.I have been able to get the DVD and i am watching it again.
spit_firee This movie is very good. I saw it on TV several years ago and truly enjoyed it. I recently discovered it available on DVD in Australia so my husband and I ordered it. Problem: It won't play on our system. I researched and found a site Digicast Production Pty LTD {digicast.com.au}out of Victoria, Australia. Their article says any DVD's or VHS created for sale in America must be converted to NTSC compatible for viewing on American equipment. I am currently trying to decide on getting a refund from purchaser or seeing if they will convert a copy and forward it to us. My point is - be careful when purchasing something of this nature from other countries unless you know your equipment will play it or you request the seller to make sure your copy is NTSC compatible. This is frustrating mainly because I've wanted this movie for many years and on DVD I can watch it anytime I want to. I copied it to VHS all those years ago but now it is hazy. i'd rather have an original. ES, Ivey,Georgia
sharryne23 I saw the series Against the Wind and have always maintained that it was the best mini series ever produced in Australia. The acting was brilliant which enabled the viewer to acquire a real empathy for what it was like for the convicts in our history. The drama and the romance throughout this unique series kept me coming back to the screen for the next part, every night it was screened right up until the last episode. I have often scanned the T.V guide just to see whether it was being screened again. I have had no success searching for an available video or DVD. I would definitely buy this if available. My children have learned about these times in primary school. I would love to share this magnificent mini series with them.
Ian Venter Hi, This was one of the best mini series on TV back in the late 70's. The book is gripping. The actors were class ,in their individual way. I enjoyed the unique story line. To stay fresh in ones mind over so many years tells you something. The music and songs are fab. Why another TV /movie company has not reproduced this series is beyond me. Someone must have a copy of it somewhere.I have searched the ebay and alike but nothing and as to the amount of people whom I have seen on the net trying to get a copy of it was out of this world. Please could someone/anyone direct me as to purchase this classic piece of TV history? Many thanks , Ian