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 Canterbury is a Hundred
 The Games Affair
 Angel Mine
 A State of Siege
 Rain
 River Queen

Synopsis

In this tale of an English servant woman doing it hard down under, Lizzie (Sarah Peirse, who won a Feltex) finds herself trapped on a rundown Canterbury sheep farm alongside three men: one mean, one silent, and one simple-minded (Bruno Lawrence, in one of his favourite roles). Directed by David Blyth between his edgy debut Angel Mine and splatter-fest Death Warmed Up, this pioneer tale was written by English author Elizabeth Gowans. Newbie scribe Fran Walsh later extended the film to tele-movie length, from its original incarnation as A Woman of Good Character.

Credits (15)

 David Blyth

David Blyth
Director

 Grahame McLean

Grahame McLean
Producer, Designer

 Elizabeth Gowans

Elizabeth Gowans
Writer

See all credits ›

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Produced by

Filmcraft

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Related Titles (6)

 Rain

Rain

Film, 2001 (Trailer and Excerpts)

More award-winning work from actor Sarah Peirse

 River Queen

River Queen

Film, 2005 (Trailer)

Another tale of 19th century immigrants in NZ

 Angel Mine

Angel Mine

Film, 1978 (Trailer and Excerpts)

Also directed by David Blyth

 The Games Affair

The Games Affair

Television, 1974

Also produced by Grahame McLean

 Canterbury is a Hundred

Canterbury is a Hundred

Short Film, 1950 (Full Length)

A booster's take on Canterbury's past

 A State of Siege

A State of Siege

Short Film, 1978 (Excerpts)

Another portait of an isolated woman

Collections.   See all collections ›  

Included in:

 The Bruno Lawrence Collection

The Bruno Lawrence Collection

Curated by NZ On Screen Team
Added 10 February 2011

 Christchurch

Christchurch

Curated by NZ On Screen Team
Added 14 February 2012

Quotes

I want a life. 

– Lizzie (Sarah Peirse)

Doesn’t know if he’s awake or dreaming. Can’t be told to eat. Lives in the barn. Stares into the darkness. 

– Reginald Junior (Jeremy Stephens) on his brother (Bruno Lawrence)

Awards

1983 New Zealand Feltex Awards
Best Actress (Sarah Peirse)