image of person or book cover 4163808670509500787.jpg
Advertisement, The Worker [Wagga], 3 September 1908, p.8
form y separately published work icon For the Term of his Natural Life single work   film/TV  
Adaptation of His Natural Life Marcus Clarke , 1870-1872 single work novel
Note: The authorship of the screenplay has not yet been determined. However, it is likely that MacMahon was instrumental in its development from the page to the completed film; he has hence been identified as writer. It is possible, however, that one or more other people were also involved in constructing the screenplay.
Issue Details: First known date: 1908... 1908 For the Term of his Natural Life
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Film Details - MacMahon's Exquisite Pictures ; E. J. Carroll , 1908

Producers:

Charles MacMahon
E. J. Carroll
Messrs. Gunn, Osborne and Jerdan

Production Companies:

MacMahon's Exquisite Pictures

Director of Photography:

Byers Coates

Cast:

Incl. Martyn Keith (Rufus Dawes), Rosie Knight Phillips (Sylvia Vickers), Mrs. Barry Lane (Mrs. Vickers), Frank Kenny (Lord Bellasis), Augustus Neville (Gabbett), Roland Conway (Reverend North), Mr. Jerdan (Reverend Meekin), Fred Francis (Lieutenant Frere), Charles Morse (Jemmy Vetch)

Release Dates:

8 August 1908 (Queen's Hall, Sydney - premiere)

Location:

  • Port Arthur, Tasmania

Notes:

1. The premiere Sydney season lasted eight weeks, an extraordinary run for that period. When exhibited in Victoria by the Tait brothers, the film was accompanied by narration from actor Alfred Boothman, who had previously been associated with MacMahon's Robbery Under Arms (1907). According to Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, the film was an enduring success and frequently revived (p. 12).
2. Despite being several thousand feet short of Robbery Under Arms, For the Term of His Natural Life's budget of £7000 was seven times more than Charles MacMahon's previous film. Some of the shooting was undertaken on location at the penal settlement ruins at Port Arthur in Tasmania.
3. Although the film was co-produced by Messrs. Gunn, Osborne, and Jerdan, no information has yet been located concerning these individuals.
4. Further reference: Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper. Australian Film 1900-1977, A Guide to Feature Film Production (1980), pp.11-12.

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