Ray Alchin Movies
- 1987
Budgeted at six million dollars -- a hefty sum for Australian television -- the six-hour miniseries Great Expectations: The Untold Story helpfully endeavored to plug the plot holes thoughtlessly left behind by Charles Dickens in his original novel. The emphasis was on the escaped convict Magwitch (John Stanton), who, after being helped out by the young Pip (Danny Simmons), was captured by the authorities and transported to Australia. There, Magwitch turned over a new leaf and went into business, building up a huge and profitable operation. Still grateful to Pip for past kindnesses, Magwitch bequeathed his entire fortune to the boy, and it was at this point that the miniseries' narrative ended and the original Dickens story line took over (albeit briefly). Representing a rare collaboration between writer/director Tim Burstall and his producer son, Tom Burstall, Great Expectations: The Untold Story was broadcast by Australia's ABC network in February of 1987. The project was subsequently released theatrically as a feature film, pared down to a more manageable length -- and eliminating an important subplot involving Pip's erstwhile lady friend, Estella (Anne Louise Lambert), in the process. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
The four-part Australian miniseries Flight Into Hell was based on the real-life recollections of German airplane pilot Hans Bertram. Helmut Zierl starred as Bertram, who was lost at sea for 53 terrifying days in 1932, along with his mechanic, Adolph Klausman (Werner Stocker). The action fluctuated between the marooned Bertram and Klausman and the efforts by several different countries to rescue the downed airman. Flight Into Hell was broadcast by Australia's ABC network in 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
An Australian-German co-production, Golden Soak was set in Australia in the late 19th century. On the outs in his native England, mining engineer Alex Hamilton (Ray Barrett) headed "Down Under" to start life all over again. The plot thickened when Alex got mixed up with an abandoned and supposedly "tapped out" gold mine. Adapted from the novel by Hammond Innes, Golden Soak was telecast in six 60-minute episodes by Australia's ABC network in 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
