ISLAND TRADER

Australia, 1982, 85 minutes, Colour.
Eric Oldfield, Ruth Cracknell, John Ewart.
Directed by Howard Rubie

Island Trader is an entertaining children's telemovie, a co-production between Spain and Australia with financing from the Dutch Catholic media organisation KRO. It was filmed most attractively in the Cook Islands and especially around Raratonga. It is a story of children - but adults will enjoy the presence of John Ewart, Ruth Cracknell, Neil Fitzpatrick and Eric Oldfield in the cast. The director is Howard Rubie, director of several films, including The Settlement, and especially telemovies.

1. Entertaining adventure story? The Pacific setting? The Australian connection? Spanish connection?

2. Cook Islands settings, Raratonga, the sea, the distant island? The musical score?

3. The boat, passengers, adventures, villains - and the boat pursuing the villains, using up the resources in order to catch them?

4. Michael, going on the boat, his absent father, Aunt Victoria, the meeting with Joanne? His finding the pilot? The secret? The pursuit by Bronson and the criminals? Parsons and the search? The diamonds? Reunited with his father? The dangers, the pursuit, the happy ending?

5. Juan, his relationship with his son, his absences, research? The return home, Victoria? The skipper and Kelly? The attempts on his life? The fights? The pursuit of the diamonds, sailing the Island Trader?

6. The skipper, Kelly, their arguments, working together? The passengers? Michael? Victoria and the skipper? The dangers, the pursuit?

7. Bronson, the opening sequences and the pilot, the robbery, the diamonds, the storm, loss of contact? The radio operator? The crash? The finding of the diamonds? The pursuit of Michael? The attempts on Parsons and on Juan? The final shoot-out?

8. Parsons, mysterious presence, the violence, his friendship with Michael - his helping the group? His turning on them, his accomplice? The final shoot-out?

9. Aunt Victoria, Joanne, life on the island, good manners, family? Their involvement in the adventure?

10. Popular ingredients, island adventures and danger, crimes and criminals, investigators? The family themes, love and support, reunions?