Directed by Charles MacMahon Release date 8 August 1908 Director Charles MacMahon Cinematography Byers Coates | Starring Martyn Keith Initial release 8 August 1908 (Australia) Story by Marcus Clarke | |
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Produced by Charles MacMahon
E. J. Carroll Based on a stage adaptation of the novel by Marcus Clarke Running time 2,000 feet (45 – 60 mins) Cast Roland Conway, Martyn Keith, Fred Francis, Mr. Jerdan Producers Charles MacMahon, E. J. Carroll, Messrs Gunn Similar The Romantic Story of M, Red Sky at Morning, Transported, Adam's Woman, The Last Confession of Alexan | ||
Trem for the term of his natural life
For the Term of His Natural Life is a 1908 Australian silent film based on the 1874 novel by the same name by Marcus Clarke. The film is an adaptation of MacMahon's stage adaptation of the novel.
Contents
- Trem for the term of his natural life
- For the term of his natural life trailer
- Synopsis
- Cast
- Production
- Reception
- References
It was the fourth Australian feature ever made and is considered a lost film.
The 1908 film was the first screen adaptation of Clarke's novel, which was also later filmed in 1911, 1927 and 1983.
For the term of his natural life trailer
Synopsis
The film's plot was a collection of highlights from the novel, such as
The movie kept the tragic ending of the novel, with Rufus Dawes and Sylvia perishing in a storm after Reverend North had helped Dawes escape.
Cast
Production
The MacMahon brothers, James and Charles MacMahon, had enjoyed success producing a version of the novel on stage, and allocated a considerable budget for the movie, including a shooting schedule of eight weeks and location work in Port Arthur. The scene involving the burning of a sailing ship was staged with a model ship in a tank.
Reception
Based on a popular stage adaptation of the novel, the movie was a big success at the box office, running for eight weeks in Sydney at Queens Hall in 1908. It played in cinemas on and off until World War I. Screenings were usually accompanied by an actor, who would provide descriptive commentary to what was on screen.