Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #124221 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-08-14
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 278 minutes

From the Back Cover
Justice will not be held prisoner. None other than Mark Twain himself deemed Marcus Clarke's powerful story of the horrors and degradation of the penal system "brilliant and fascinating." As gripping as The Count of Monte Cristo and Les Miserables, as dramatic as A Tale of Two Cities or Anastasia, this classic adventure tale is now an even bolder mini-series!
When the secret of his true parentage is revealed, young aristocrat Richard Devine (Colin Friels) is disinherited and driven from his home in England. Assuming the name "Rufus Dawes," he is falsely accused of murder and banished to an unforgiving Australian prison for a life sentence. Gradually, he evolves into a tough, self-sufficient convict, unafraid to attempt the most daring escapes or brutal clashes with fellow prisoners and his jailers-including the cruel Lt. Maurice Frere (Rod Mullinar) or the troubled Reverend North (Anthony Perkins). "Dawes'" last hope for vindication is his passion for Sylvia (Penelope Steward), daughter of prison Commandment, Major Vickers (Patrick Macnee). That hope is put to the ultimate challenge by her own dark secrets, as well as one final, stunning betrayal you won't see coming!
Harsh and unflinching in its indictment of prisons, For the Term of His Natural Life is also an unforgettable testament to this power of the human mind and heart.

Customer Reviews

up with the best
Colin Friels is probably less known or acclaimed internationally than his wife Judy Davis. His effort in this miniseries though early in his career should have him right up there equally recognized. A great story and a miniseries collectable.

Brilliant story and Colin Friels is magnificent so young
I saw this on TV, here in Australia a long time ago and only recently again on Pay TV and have straight away placed it in my shopping cart. It is the magnificent story of an Englishman who after learning he is the barstard son of another man is disinherited. He is then falsely accused of the murder of his true father and the theft of a watch and sent to a Penal colony in Van Diemen's Land (Now Tasmania) for the term of his natural life. It shows his struggle for freedom against the tyranny of British rule and countless altercations with other prisoners and a particular Prison officer. He saves the life of the Commandents daughter, but is tricked and sent back to prison. He strives for freedom and a possible return to England so he can reunite with his mother. It is a long program over 5hrs, possibly best watched over a couple of nights. Though if you're like me won't be able to turn it off.

great adaptation
Great job. Anyone who read the book would know there is no way to do the whole thing on screen, but what a terrific job they did. I think even a novice would still understand the movie without the insider knowledge left out from the book.