Review: Robbery Under Arms

DVD: Robbery Under Arms (1985)

Based on Rolf Boldrewood’s 1882 colonial novel Robbery under Arms was made in 1985 as a film and simultaneously as this television series.

Starting quite deliciously with Sam Neil snogging a rather posh lady for around 3 minutes, the series follows the adventures of Captain Starlight (Sam Neill) a charming rogue and his trusty Aboriginal sidekick Warrigal (Tommy Lewis).

The mini-series later follows the feature film version storyline, as it introduces the main characters, including the Marston brothers Dick and Jim (Steven Vidler and Christopher Cummins) and their antipodean loves Gracey (Liz Newman) and Jeannie (Susie Lindeman).
The first episode introduces us to most of the principle cast by way of a lengthy version of a cricket match in which all the key players turn out for the game.

This series is my bread and butter. I love old TV series from the 1970’s and 80’s, and my most favourite TV comes from Australia, like Boney, and my favourite, Luke’s Kingdom. I hadn’t seen Robbery Under Arms and was delighted to finally see it. Although the acting in it is a bit wooden (especially from the girls) and slightly dated, the picture is the old 4:3 aspect ratio and a bit grainy, this is still a rollicking adventure series, with Sam Neil being a real standout as charming and sexy Captain Starlight…WHAT a name.

A great series well worth watching!

Review by Tina (co-host of 60 Minutes With) from a disc kindly supplied by Umbrella Entertainment.