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A FORTUNATE LIFE

Umbrella Entertainment / 2 disc set / Released April 2008

Featuring Bill Kerr, Dominic Sweeney, Benedict Sweeney, Bill Hunter

In the 1980's television in Australia was all about the big budget mini series, inspired by major successes like A Town Like Alice and Sara Dane, the period drama was king and Bert Facey's best selling memoir A Fortunate Life (which although based on his early years from the beginnings of the 20th century onwards was only published in 1981 after his grand children contacted a publisher) was prime candidate for an adaptation.

Narrated by the legendary Bill Kerr the 4 part serial begins in 1897 when Albert Facey is 8 years old and dealing with the death of his father before being quite literally farmed out to a farming couple who actually show him some real love. As the years progress Fancy becomes a boxer and eventually finds himself in the army about to be shipped off to Gallipoli.

Lavishly filmed, with a $6.3 million budget (huge for 1985!) A Fortunate Life is a marvellous recreation of one man's life. Totally authentic to the book and a real treat to watch, the drama is one of the best loved Aussie mini-series and is a definite must see.

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Umbrella Entertainment

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