Rex Rientis was engaged to undertake research for the 1949 film directed by Harry Watt and starring Chips Rafferty, Jane Barrett, Jack Lambert, Gordon Jackson, Peter Finch and Sydney Loder. He subsequently turned his attention to writing a novelised version of the famous incident. The book was published to coincide with the release of the film, and contains a number of stills from the production.
Eureka Stockade
( dir. Harry Watt
)
England
:
Ealing Studios
,
1949
Z1380035
1949
single work
film/TV
historical fiction
crime
Based on the real incidents that occurred on the Ballarat goldfields in Victoria during the early to mid 1850s, Eureka Stockade follows Peter Lalor, a boisterous prospector who leads a rebellion against the colonial authorities over excessive licences and restrictions. At first, the prospectors intend to use random mob violence, but Lalor organises the group into a strong, united front. The climax sees them take on the troops under the flag of the Southern Cross.
Lalor is portrayed in this version as a man of doubts and principles rather than as the charismatic rebel leader traditionally associated with the legend.
