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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.
Bronwyn Binns
Seven Network
13
60 min
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.
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.
Sep 12, 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.
Sep 19, 1978
The men are forced to work very hard at their labour. Jonathan befriends a wiley fellow convict Dinny O'Byrne.
Sep 19, 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.
Sep 26, 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.
Oct 3, 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.
Oct 10, 1978
The uprising has begun but the convicts are tricked and betrayed. The British troops are too powerful and the uprising has failed.
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.
Oct 17, 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.
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!
Oct 24, 1978
Jonathan and Will, Polly's husband, start their own illegal distillery. But when this is discovered , Will is fiercely punished.
Oct 31, 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.
Oct 10, 1978
Jonathan Garrett
Mary Mulvane
Polly McNamara
Ensign Greville
Jonas Pike
Dinny O'Byrne
Captain Wiltshire
Michael Connor
Cook
Will Price
