| Description |
1 videodisc (DVD) (60 min.) : sd., col. with b&w sequences ; 4 3/4 in |
| Summary |
"This is a story of coal, communisim and the Australian prime minister who went to war against his own during the national miners' strike of 1949. Using rare archival footage and re-creations, this dramatised documentary takes us into the corridors of power to show how Labor Party leader Ben Chifley took on and defeated the growing forces of communisim in Australia. Explains the complex issues that the conflict raised and introduces the major players in the dispute, including Attorney-General Evatt, Immigration Minister Arthur Calwell, Chifley's 'spin doctor' Lloyd Ross and his brother Edgar Ross - a Communist Party executive and driving force behind the strike. It portrays a fascinating era of Australian history. A former train driver from Bathurst, Chifley was a working-class hero, a Labor Party icon and 'man of the people'. But his actions flew in the face of Labor values and tradition when he believed they were in the interests of post-war Australia. Chifley introduced draconian laws to prevent unions accessing funds to support the strike and sent in the army to replace striking miners - so defeating the Communist Party leadership that controlled the militant union. It was a battle he was determined to fight and win in the interests of th nation, despite knowing it would probably cost him government." -- website |
| Notes |
Off-air recording of ABC1 broadcast November 6, 2008. Copied under Part VA of the Copyright Act |
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Off-air recording of History Channel broadcast November 22, 2009. Copied under Part VA of the Copyright Act |
| Credits |
Written by Bob Ellis, Geoff Burton ; Director Geoff Burton |
| Performer |
Narrator: Heather Mitchell |
| Cast |
Tony Barry, Tracy Mann, Lona Lesley, Kieran Darcy-Smith, Russell Kiefel, Bruce Venables, Rob Steele, Frankie J. Holden |
| Notes |
DVD |
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No rating given, Rated PG (DVD specific) |
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Available for Deakin University staff and students only |
| Subject |
Chifley, J. B. (Joseph Benedict), 1885-1951
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Strikes and lockouts -- Coal mining -- Australia
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Industrial relations -- Australia -- History
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| Author |
Burton, Geoff
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Ellis, Bob
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Mitchell, Heather
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ABC-TV (Australia)
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History Channel (Television network)
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