The Last Outlaw (miniseries)

The Last Outlaw
Written by	Ian Jones Bronwyn Binns
Directed by	George T. Miller Kevin Dobson
Starring	John Jarratt Steve Bisley
Composer	Brian May
Country of origin	Australia
Original language	English
No. of episodes	4
Production
Executive producers	Ian Jones Bronwyn Binns
Producer	Roger Le Mesurier
Cinematography	Ernest Clark
Editor	Philip Reid
Running time	380 minutes (95 min each)
Production company	Pegasus Productions
Budget	$2 million[1]
Original release
Network	Seven Network
Release	20 October 1980 (1980-10-20) – 1980 (1980)

The Last Outlaw is a 1980 Australian four-part television miniseries based on the life of Ned Kelly. It was shot from February to May 1980[2] and the end of its original broadcast, in October–November 1980, coincided with the centenary of Ned Kelly's death.[3][4][5]

The complete miniseries has been released on region 4 DVD in Australia by Umbrella Entertainment.[6]

Cast

• John Jarratt as Ned Kelly
• Steve Bisley as Joe Byrne
• Elaine Cusick as Mrs. Kelly
• Lewis Fitz-Gerald as Tom Lloyd
• John Ley as Dan Kelly
• Ric Herbert as Steve Hart
• Peter Hehir as Aaron Sherritt
• Debra Lawrance as Maggie Kelly
• Sigrid Thornton as Kate Kelly
• Tim Eliott as Steele
• Leslie Dayman as Jack Lloyd
• Anthony Hawkins as Superintendent Hare
• Anne Scott-Pendlebury as Mrs Devine
• Frank Gallacher as Detective Ward
• Julia Blake as Mrs Scott
• Lulu Pinkus as Helen

Production

The mini-series was made by Pegasus Productions, the company of Ian Jones and Browyn Binns. They had made the hugely popular mini-series Against the Wind.[7] Jones had long been interested in the story of Ned Kelly and did extensive research. "I recognised the impossibility of his situation in a frontier society," said Jones. "He was the centre of a tragedy which could have been avoided."[8] Jones wanted to make the series in part to make amends for his dissatisfaction with the 1970 film Ned Kelly.[9]

Filming took six months.[1]

Reception

The mini-series was considered a ratings disappointment.[10]

References

1. "Actor John Jarratt to play role of Ned Kelly". The Canberra Times. Vol. 54, no. 16, 138. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 1 December 1979. p. 12. Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
2. Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970–1995 (1996), p.210, Oxford University Press.
3. "Ned Kelly: Misfit or Murderer?". The Australian Women's Weekly. Your TV Magazine supplement. 8 October 1980. p. 24. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
4. "Ned Kelly: Bushranger". The Australian Women's Weekly. Your TV Magazine supplement. 22 October 1980. p. 21. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
5. "Ned Kelly: Bushranger". The Australian Women's Weekly. Your TV Magazine supplement. 5 November 1980. p. 22. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
6. "The Last Outlaw DVD". Umbrella Entertainment.
7. "Battle for ratings". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 February 1980. p. 5.
8. "Ned Kelly". The Sydney Sun Herald. 5 October 1980. p. 58.
9. "Ne[?]elly[?]isfit or murderer?". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 48, no. 19. Australia, Australia. 8 October 1980. p. 24 (FREE Your TV Magazine). Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
10. Lewes, Jacqueline Lee (5 June 1983). "Million$ of Viewing". Sydney Sun Herald. p. 47.

External links

• The Last Outlaw at Iron Outlaw
• The Last Outlaw at IMDb