The birth of a nation, told by the people who almost didn't let it happen.
An epic tale about the making of Australia. This tells the stories of the founding fathers and of the people in six separate colonies in the decades leading to Federation. It's a tale of winners and losers, of great debates which unified the country, of the struggle not just to make an Australian nation, but to create Australian democracy.
Acting
Leo McKern's Henry Parkes steals every scene he's constitutionally allowed
Production
Six colonies, one vision, zero budget shortcuts
Director
Ian Munro
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Leo McKern recorded his Henry Parkes narration mere months before his death in 2002, making this his final screen performance.
The 1999 release deliberately coincided with the Republic referendum, using 1901 nostalgia to provoke 1999 constitutional anxiety.
AU
