1 9 8 0 (Australia)
4 x 100 minute episodes
In an attempt to repeat the commercial success of their 1978 drama series Against The Wind, Channel Seven and writers Ian Jones and Bronwyn Binns turned to the true story of Australia’s most famous bushranger with John Jarratt starred in the lead role.
Considered to be the most historically accurate depiction of the Ned Kelly story ever made, this four-part mini-series portrayed his childhood and apprenticeship with bushranger Harry Power, the formation of the Kelly Gang, the shoot-out at Stringybark Creek, the hold-ups and years on the run.
The story culminates in the siege at Glenrowan, Kelly’s trial and his inevitable fate at the end of the hangman’s rope in Melbourne Gaol.
Other main characters include Joe Byrne (Steve Bisley); Ned’s cousin and most formidable supporter, Tom Lloyd (Lewis Fitz-Gerald); youngest Kelly son, Dan (John Ley); Dan’s loyal mate Steve Hart (Ric Herbert), a young jockey and unlikely outlaw; flash and eccentric Irishman Aaron Sherritt (Peter Hehir), who was Joe Byrne’s lifelong friend but destined to unwittingly destroy the Kelly gang; 15-year-old Maggie Kelly (Debra Lawrence), the gangling head of the Kelly household who becomes a child bride; beautiful Kate Kelly (Sigrid Thornton) who catches the eye of young Irish policeman Constable Fitzpatrick (Adrian Wright); and the family matriarch, Mrs Kelly (Elaine Cusick), a small, lean, indomitable woman who married American George King (Paul Mason).
Each episode is feature film length, so the story is covered with magnificent detail.
Ned Kelly
John Jarratt
Joe Byrne
Steve Bisley
Mrs Kelly
Elaine Kussack
Dan Kelly
John Ley
Steve Hart
Ric Herbert
Aaron Sherritt
Peter Hehir
Maggie Kelly
Debra Lawrance
Kate Kelly
Sigrid Thornton
Tom Lloyd
Lewis Fitz-Gerald
Sgt. Steele
Tim Elliott
George King
Paul Mason
Harry Power
Gerard Kennedy
Annie
Jacki Kerin
Jim
Paul Trahair
Grace
Kaarin Fairfax
Jack Lloyd
Les Dayman
Wild Wright
David Bradshaw
Father O’Shea
John Murphy
Supt. Nicholson
John Stone
Const. Fitzpatrick
Adrian Wright
James Whitty
John Nash
Supt. Sadleir
Norman Kaye
Catherine Lloyd
Celia De Burgh
Mrs Byrne
Jackie Kelleher
Supt. Hare
Anthony Hawkins
Capt. Standish
Paul Clarkson
Det. Ward
Frank Gallacher
Mr Scott
Peter Stratford
Mrs Scott
Julia Blake
Const. Alexander
Howard Eynon
Belle
Kim Trengove
Helen
Lulu Pinkus
Const. Hall
Steve Millichamp
Sgt. Babbington
Stewart Faichney
Jack McMonigle
Kevin Summers
Dummy Wright
Peter Scollin
Sgt. Kennedy
Roderick Williams
Const. McIntyre
Nick Waters
Const. Lonigan
Terry Gill
Const. Scanlon
Bill Stacey
Ben Gould
Rod Densley
Gloster
Ernie Bourne
Tennant
Charles Gilroy
Const. Richards
Peter Curtin
Living
James Wright
Mrs Devine
Anne Scott-Pendlebury
Tarleton
Warwick Randall
Rankin
Andrew Gilmour
Jane
Ann Henderson-Stires
Mrs Jones
Patsy Dance
Father Gibney
John Lee
Dean Donaghy
Malcolm Steed
Const. Arthur
Matthew King
Curnow
Paul Young
Kate Byrne
Mary Charleston
Mrs Barry
Jane Coghlan
Mrs Fitzgerald
Janet Lord