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An entertaining 2-part drama-documentary series narrated by historian Michael Cathcart, and starring John Wood. From the ABC website...

"Historian Michael Cathcart tells the epic story of how the colourful characters of early colonial Australia transformed a penal settlement into a land with rights and opportunity in a mere 40 years. This sweeping two-part dramatised documentary covers formative events in Australia's history, including the Rum Rebellion and early court cases which established independence and civil rights for all settlers.

Rogue Nation explores how a fledgling colony on the wrong side of the globe was rapidly transformed from a place of punishment to a place of opportunity; a confident and prosperous community. It examines the fight for power and control between two powerful interest groups - the wealthy and entrepreneurial landowners and the offspring of convict settlers who took on the governors appointed by the Colonial Office in London.

With an all-star cast including Peter O'Brien, John Wood, Leanna Walsman, Geoff Morrell, Les Hill and Heather Mitchell, Rogue Nation introduces well known figures including pastoralist John Macarthur, barrister and newspaper proprietor William Wentworth, and Governors William Bligh, Lachlan Macquarie and Ralph Darling."

Episode 1 - Bligh, Macarthur and the Rum Rebellion of 1808 - View Trailer
Episode 2 - Wentworth, Darling and the court cases that shaped our Nation - View Trailer

Official Screen Australia Rogue Nation Website

• Broadcast on the ABC (2009)

Purchase the DVD

What the Critics Have Said

"...despite a lack of explicit sex and violence, Rogue Nation could
teach Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities a thing or two about excellence in
historical storytelling." 4 our of 5 stars.
Deborah Grunfeld, Who Weekly
 
 "In terms of audience size, this will be the most popular treatment of
its subject in many years, and will presumably become and important
educational resource on DVD...Rogue Nation is well worth a look."
Michael Duffy, Sydney Morning Herald
 
"This is great television, both educational and entertaining."
Greg Hassall, Sydney Morning Herald

"...the one real criticism of Rogue Nation: it leaves us wanting more." 3
out of 4 stars.
Melinda Houston, Sunday Age
 
"(John) Wood plays the pompous and autocratic Governor William Bligh to
perfection, while (Geoff) Morrell as the greedy, entrepreneurial pastoralist
John Macarthur is superb."
Sunday Telegraph, PICK OF THE WEEK  
 
"There's a tendency to see Australian history as a little dull when
compared with the grand sweep of European or US history but this series
reveals our early days to be full of intrigue and drama."
Sydney Morning Herald, SHOW OF THE WEEK
  
"With re-enactments featuring some of the country's best actors, Rogue
Nation explores a rich colonial history filled with duels, treachery and
power plays. A gripping and original look at early Australia's story."  
Daily Telegraph

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