A Town Like Alice (1981)

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

The character of Joe Harman was based on an Australian soldier who was a POW held by the Japanese and slaved on the infamous Burma-Thailand railroad project along the Kwai river. James "Ringer" Edwards was in fact crucified and left to die by the Japanese for the offense of scrounging food for his fellow prisoners. After some days, still alive, he was taken down, and lived to see the end of the war. He returned to Australia and married a nurse he met in a Queensland hospital in 1947. They eventually settled in Western Australia near Mount Edgar where Edwards purchased a cattle station.The Australian writer Nevil Shute was made aware of Edwards by a British officer who had known Edwards, and who advised Shute to contact the veteran to talk to him about his wartime experiences. The two men became friends, and just prior to the Australian publication of "A Town Like Alice" Shute sent Edwards a first edition inscribed "With thanks for so much information which made this book possible, and apologies for mistakes in it . . .." Shute in turn put the author Hammond Innes in touch with Ringer Edwards and that author's visits to the cattle station at Mount Edgar formed a background for Innes' 1973 novel "The Golden Soak." Edwards died in 2001. Much of the information here is drawn from a report in a March 2002 publication by the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach, Queensland (see www.outbackheritage.com.au) and generously provided to me by the staff of the organization. However, on a personal note, I first became aware of the story of Ringer Edwards from my wife, Helen, who as an adventurous young American in 1969 spent some months working on the Edwards cattle station there in the Outback.She saw the nail scars on Ringer Edwards' hands.

I can't count the times I have watched this, and although it differs from the book in story line the mood is still the same. The bond that two such diverse people give each other that surpasses trials and years is immortal. And that the element of the women prisoners was an actual event, that did happen to real people. The story is about the strength of character of ordinary people, people who just tried to survive a horrible time in their lives. And this also presented Australia in a real mode. The country is like all countries, areas that everyone loves, quaint country areas and desolate areas. But it gives Shute a stage for Jean's transformation from a lowly outback town to a family community.

Jean Paget, Joe Harman, and Noel Strachan--all are unlikely heroes and survivors. Petite but strong Jean whose strength and resolve help save lives, marching hundreds of miles and with calm self-discipline and persuasive powers, Joe Harman ("oh my word") who took risks for Jean and the other prisoners, only to suffer the worst pain imaginable, and Noel Strahan, who trusted Jean regardless of the odds. Her good humor and hardiness inspire everyone around her, and those with the courage to go in with her are rewarded. The beautiful scenery and musical score adds to the adventure. Despite the length it was never boring to me. These ordinary people did extraordinary things and it is based on a true story. Someone borrowed my VHS a few years ago and I never saw it or them again. Learned my lesson, mates, and will buy another copy when it can be found. It's a shame the miniseries is not on DVD.

A TOWN LIKE ALICE first captivated me when I was only 14 and caught a re-run of it on T.V. in 1984. It has since remained one of my most favorite romances on film. It is a modest, understated and "un-Hollywood" (thank God!) work, yet it is epic in the way it depicts the two very likable main characters, Joe Harmon and Jean Paget (played by Bryan Brown and Helen Morse, respectively) meeting during a tumultuous backdrop of war and despair, falling in love in spite of it, and then becoming blissfully reunited. But don't worry--I haven't given away the "happy ending!" The last half of the film that follows is what gives this work its integrity. The lovers then have to overcome the adversity of the differences of their cultures and beliefs--her being English and he being Australian. Jean Paget is an admirable, headstrong character, who when placed in the backwards Australian outback of the 1940's, is put to the test with her lover Joe, making one realize that love relationships don't go perfectly, but if the love is strong, it will persevere.This movie truly pulls the viewer into the romance between Jean and Joe and you feel every heartache and every joy that they share in your heart as well. But these are not shallowly constructed "romance novel characters." They are complex and imperfect and through their hardships, show the audience that any love such as theirs is truly worth fighting for.So, as long as this movie is on tape (being a two- part mini-series), please be patient with it (like you would with an E.M. Forster novel-to-film adaptation) because I guarantee the reward will be ever so sweet. It will draw you in and be compelling from start to finish with a story you will really care about. A wonderful, wonderful picture! Plus, the soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous and moving.