1915 (miniseries)

1915 is an Australian historical drama television miniseries written by Peter Yeldham, based on Roger McDonald's 1979 novel 1915: A Novel of Gallipoli, that premiered on ABC TV on 27 June 1982, and concluded on 8 August 1982. The miniseries stars Scott McGregor, Scott Burgess, Sigrid Thornton, Jackie Woodburne, Ilona Rodgers, Richard Moir, Serge Lazareff, Damon Sanders, and Andrew McFarlane. It deals the friendship between two young mates during the outbreak of World War I.

Cast

 * Scott Burgess – Billy Mackenzie
 * Scott McGregor – Walter Gilchrist
 * Lorraine Bayly – Helen Gilchrist
 * Gary Holmes – Douggie Gilchrist
 * Bill Hunter – Alan Gilchrist
 * Jackie Woodburne – Dianna Bendetto
 * Arna-Maria Winchester – Brigid Scott
 * Sigrid Thornton – Frances Reilly
 * Anne Haddy – Mrs. Gillen
 * Andrew McFarlane – Robert Gillen
 * Gerard Kennedy – Dent
 * Serge Lazareff – Blackly Reid
 * Richard Moir – Reverend Fox
 * Maurie Fields – Mayor
 * Ilona Rodgers – Mrs. Reilly
 * Martin Vaughan – Hugh Mackenzie
 * Vince Martin – Frank Barton
 * Adrian Wright – Oliver Melrose
 * Ric Herbert – Pig Nolan
 * Mervyn Drake – Lt. Fagan

Reception
John Voorhees of the Seattle Times wries "But while the characters are compelling enough to hold our interest through all seven episodes, the real reason for watching ``1915`` is because it captures the feeling of time and place so expertly, exhibiting a sense of history that goes beyond old cars and period clothes. And it is that historical ambience that sets ``1915`` apart from many TV miniseries." Daniel Ruth of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it 2 1/2 stars, criticising the pacing "This mini-series takes too long to establish itself, as McGregor and Burgess spend the first four hours of "1915" swooning over Thornton and Woodburne and calling each other "mate." Enough already." but praising other aspects "Two virtues of "1915" are its terrific production values and period costuming."