THE TERRITORIANS
Australia, 1996, 90 minutes, Colour.
Steven Vidler, Aaron Pederson, Susan Lyons, Jamie Croft, Peter Adams, Robert Mammone.
Directed by Michael Offer.
The Territorians was created by Robert Bruning, a veteran actor and veteran producer of television movies, some of which became television series. This has the hallmarks of a television series. It was written by Ted Roberts, writer of such films as The Settlement.
While the setting is the Northern Territory and there are some scenes of Darwin, the film was made in Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges, standing in for the Territory. The scenery is quite spectacular, giving a fine impression of the range of terrains to be found in Central Australia.
The plot is fairly conventional, the Sydney detective who was considered a dobber, moving to work in the Northern Territory and moving his somewhat reluctant wife and son, hoping for a new life. However, he is continually busy and his called to investigate brutal murders out in the desert. His wife and son, who were going camping with him, drive down to the town at the centre of the investigation. There is a genial sergeant who is about to undergo bypass surgery, and an Aboriginal detective. These two are played by Peter Adams and Aaron Pederson. Susan Lyons is the wife, Jamie Croft (That Eye the Sky) is the son and Steven Vidler is the detective. The film makes a point about expertise in the city and expertise in the desert, some of the arrogant attitudes of white people to black detective as well as to underlings. Needless to say, all the issues are raised and discussed, culminating in the sergeant, wife and son being caught up with the escaping murderer. The murderer is played by Robert Mammone. Direction is by Michael Offer, director of many telemovies and television series.
1. An entertaining murder thriller? Detective action? The Northern Territory setting?
2. The title, expectations? The attitude of the Territorians to their city and towns, landscapes and deserts? The Aboriginal tradition, the glimpses of the Aborigines, their relationship with the white people, the sergeant? Tom and his role as an Aboriginal policeman? A true Territorian? The finale with McCabe? and his family becoming Territorians?
3. The scenes of Darwin, the desert, the ranges? The Flinders Ranges photography? The importance of the landscapes? The effect of the desert, isolation, heat, rugged terrain?
4. The opening with the helicopter pilot and the cattle, going through the camp, discovering the dead bodies? The discovery of the girl buried under the rocks? The murder of the old woman at the service station? The murder of the lonely wife? The sexual assault after death? The brutality of the killings? The murderer as a psychopath, in an institution, his escape, stalking the nurse and murdering her, photographing his victims and himself? Molly and her telling him that she would recognise him? Her death? The lonely wife, up from the south, the grief of her husband after her death? Her fears, not wanting to be hurt?
5. The portrait of the murderer, the sketch of the man who had been institutionalised, out, a menace to society (and the echoing of cases in the Northern Territory)? His cruelty, silence, sexual assault? The motorbike? His finally confronting the sergeant, Anne and Josh? Up on the rocks, the sergeant throwing the spear, his death?
6. Mc Cabe, his explanation of his past in Sydney, dobbing in, having to move, at the meeting, the flight, his arrogant manner, his taking charge, attitudes towards Tom and the sarge? The quality of the investigation? On the bike, in the car, the helicopter? Following clues, forensic information, the photos? Going to the murder sites? The confrontation with Tom, the frank speaking to each other? His relationship with his wife and son, unable to go camping, his not feeling guilty but sorry? Meeting them at the town? The build-up to the final confrontation, getting out of the helicopter, on the hill, the shooting? The future and their remaining in the Territory?
7. Anne, her moving to the Territory, new beginnings, out with the sergeant? Stranded, getting desperate? Josh, his expectations, admiration of his father, going camping with the sarge, enjoying it? His wanting to stay in the Territory?
8. Tom, the Aboriginal detective, his standing in the community, Aboriginal background, his abilities, McCabe's attitude towards him and his tracking abilities? The confrontation? His getting the clues, the investigation, consoling the husband? The final confrontation with the killer?
9. The sarge, age, experience, heart trouble? The clashes with McCabe? Taking Josh and Anne camping, the enjoyment? The heart attack, having to stay the night? His being shot, hurling the spear and killing the killer?
10. The supporting characters, the officials in the Northern Territory, Sal and her communications, the various police and the investigation team?
11. The potential for a television series? The quality of the characterisations? Detection? Social issues?
