Children of Fire Mountain - Tom (First Episode)
1979 27m Television
- Adventure
- Children
- Drama
- Young Adults
This Feltex Award-winning kidult series is set in a colonial town in the North Island’s ‘thermal wonderland'. It follows the challenges faced by Sir Charles Pemberton (Mortimer's Patch star Terence Cooper) in building a spa on Māori land. In this first episode, local lad Tom is irritated by the arrival of Sir Charles and his aristocratic entourage (especially granddaughter Sarah Jane, also known as 'Little Miss Prim'). Tom's gang of shanghai-toting scallywags also take on the mean local butcher. Director Peter Sharp (The Fire-Raiser) writes here about the challenges of going on location to bring 1900s Aotearoa to life.
Key Cast & Crew
Related images
This behind the scenes shot reveals some of the in-camera trickery used on TV series Children of Fire Mountain. The mountain in the centre is a painting. It was mounted on glass, directly in front of the camera, to create the illusion that it is part of the real life location (Lake Wainamu). Clowning around (from left) are gaffer Ian Beale, clapper loader David Caldwell, and cinematographer Michael O'Connor. Designer Grant Major is in the light shirt in the background.
Supplied by Brian Walden
First Assistant Director Murray Newey (left) and special effects man Kevin Chisnall at work on Children of Fire Mountain, against the geothermal steam of one of the show's Rotorua locations.
Supplied by Brian Walden
A behind the scenes shot of assembled extras, taken on the village set built for 1979 TV series Children of Fire Mountain.
Photograph supplied by Brian Walden
A crew shot taken on TV series Children of Fire Mountain. Producer Roger Le Mesurier sits holding the camera slate. Standing behind him is cameraman Michael O'Connor. To the right of O'Connor in dark shirts are assistant director Gillian Harris (standing) and makeup woman Jean Thomas. Standing at far left in dark shirt is Murray Newey, next to costume designer Enid Eiriksson. Behind the unidentified woman wearing the hat is grip Geoff Jamieson (bearded); to his right (semi-obscured) is director Peter Sharp.
Supplied by Michael O'Connor
A behind the scenes shot of the village set built for 1979 kidult series Children of Fire Mountain.
Photograph supplied by Brian Walden
The main village set which Logan Brewer designed for kidult series Children of Fire Mountain, set in 1900. It was built on the shores of Lake Wainamu, at Bethells Beach/Te Henga.
Tom Bradley in 1979 series Children of Fire Mountain, as army recruitment officer Captain Brown-John.
Supplied by Tom Bradley
