THE OUTLAW MICHAEL HOWE

Australia, 2013, 80 minutes, Colour.
Damian Herriman, Matt Day, Brendan Cowell, Rurriway Hick.
Directed Brendan Cowell.

The Outlaw Michael Howe is a brief television movie sponsored by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Its setting is Tasmania in 1815, the Governor, Davey, is alcoholic and unable to manage the colony. Magistrates and other influential citizens are trying to control him. In the meantime, a group of convicts have risen up under the leadership of John Whithead supported by his loyal lieutenant, Michael Howe. Eventually John is killed and Howe takes over, with some enthusiasm for the men that he leads, even though they have to hide out in the bush. But they also make raids on the settlers’ farms which brings them into conflict with many of the landowners.

There is a subplot in which the wife of a landowner makes advances on Howe, wanting to take over his land. In this subplot there is a complication because of Howe’s involvement with an aboriginal woman, Mary.

The recreation of the period emphasises its squalor, its isolation, the difficulties with English settlers dealing with the Tasmanian countryside. It is a place of some lawlessness and violence. Eventually a new governor is appointed who tries to bring order back into the colony not.

Damon Herriman portrays Michael Howe, actors like Matt Day and the writer-director Brendan Cowell are in supporting roles. Of particular significance is the performance by Rurriway Hick as Mary.

Other films on these themes include The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce and Van Diemen’s Land.

1. Small budget Australian film, made for television? Its impact in content and style?

2. Australian history, Tasmanian history? In the 1810s? The early years of the colony, the role of the convicts, the military, the settlers, the Governor, the wealthy landowners? Oppression, cruelty? Rebellions, outlaws of leaders? Manoeuvres to outwit them?

3. The location photography, the ruggedness of the Tasmanian bush and mountains? The men and women in this terrain and context? The farms and settlements? The city of Hobart, the governor’s house, the dingy streets?

4. Sets, costumes, decor, the wealthy, the poor, dinginess, the drinking, prostitution?

5. The voice-over, Michael Howe and his origins in Yorkshire, finding himself in Tasmania, as a convict, in his situation, his rebellion, his teaming up with John, the men gathering around them, convict, poor, violent, anti-settlers, anti-government?

6. Governor Davey, inept, drinking, with the women, his advisers, the settlers, his going out to confront Carlisle, his attack on Howe off screen? The limitations of the dramatic effect and impact because of this not being visualised? The arrival of his successor, his drunken outburst, his being taken away, the failure of his governorship?

7. Howe himself, as a person, his relationship with Mary, her pregnancy? His being subordinate to John, John’s death and retrieving the body with Mary and Peter, the growing band (although budget considerations seem to have limited the number seen on-screen)? The nature of his leadership, the loyalty of the men? As symbolised by Peter?

8. Mary, the aboriginal background, her being raised by white people, her resentments, her knowledge of the land, her love for Howe, her pregnancy, her concern about the governor, about Maria Lord and her machinations, the jealousy of Maria, escaping with Howe, their being caught, her being shot, the wound to the neck, her being taken to prison, dragged along behind the cart, seeing Maria? The birth of a child, the final glimpse of her standing in the sunlight on the hill?

9. Carlisle, the settlers, wanting to get rid of Howe? The gang and their burning the forests, burning down the houses, the destruction? Maria Lord telling Howe where Carlisle and the others would be, the attack, the shootings, the burning of the house?

10. Knopwood and his place in ruling the colony, his associate? Their discussions with the governor, protecting themselves, their racist attitudes, the new Governor?

11. The band of outlaws, John and his establishing them, his ignorance, his self-assertion, his death? The loyalty to Howe? But with the bounty, the money, informers, their turning against him?

12. Peter, his loyalty to Howe, keeping him informed, Maria Lord and her twisting his attitude, the final meeting with Howe, his apology, his grief at Howe’s death?

13. Howe, his going to see the governor, the discussion, in prison, with the soldier and getting the keys, his escape? His wanting to see Mary? His being told lies about her?

14. His death, the new Governor taking command, peace in the settlement, the government wanting to get Maria Lord’s property, her absent husband, her taking his place after her moroseness of the death of her child, manipulating everyone, manipulating Howe, the sexual liaison, her pregnancy – and the final glimpse of her pregnant and the satisfaction of her having a child and her property?

15. Australian audiences and their acceptance of these stories of the settlement of Australia, outlying colonies of Britain, the changes, the convicts, the brutality, yet a foundation for the colony?