Faraway Downs - General Discussion

[AnimeMania]

A 6 episode TV Series streaming on November 26, 2023 on Hulu.  It is like a extended director’s cut using scenes and extended footage from the 2008 movie "Australia", with a new ending.  

Faraway Downs chronicles events across northern Australia between 1939-1942 such as the bombing of Darwin during World War II to shine a light on the roles of First Nations people and the painful scar in Australian history of the Stolen Generation. 

Lady Sarah Ashley travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: Faraway Downs, a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian outback. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney plots to take her land, and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure-romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah, an Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government's Draconian racial policy now referred to as the Stolen Generations. Together, the trio experiences four life-altering years, a love affair between Lady Ashley and the drover, and the unavoidable impact of World War II on Northern Australia. 

Nicole Kidman as Lady Sarah Ashley, an English aristocrat who inherits the cattle station Faraway Downs after the death of her husband, Lord Maitland Ashley.

Hugh Jackman as The Drover, a drover who helps Lady Sarah Ashley move the cattle across the property.

David Wenham as Neil Fletcher, station manager who plans to take Faraway Downs from Lady Sarah Ashley.

Bryan Brown as King Carney, a cattle baron who owns much of the land in northern Australia.

Jack Thompson as Kipling Flynn, the alcoholic accountant at Faraway Downs.

David Gulpilil as King George, a magic tribal elder, grandfather of Nullah.

Ursula Yovich as Daisy, the mother of Nullah.

Brandon Walters as Nullah, a young Aboriginal boy whom Lady Sarah Ashley meets at Faraway Downs.

David Ngoombujarra as Magarri, the Drover's brother-in-law and best friend.

Ben Mendelsohn as Captain Dutton, a Darwin-based Australian Army officer in charge of beef supply.

Essie Davis as Catherine Carney, wife of Neil Fletcher and daughter of King Carney.

Barry Otto as Administrator Allsop, the Australian government's representative.

Kerry Walker as Myrtle Allsop

Sandy Gore as Gloria Carney, King Carney's wife, and Catherine's mother

Lillian Crombie as Bandy Legs

Yuen Wah as Sing Song, a Cantonese cook at Faraway Downs.

Angus Pilakui as Goolaj, the Drover's second colleague and friend.

Jacek Koman as Ivan, the saloonkeeper and innkeeper in Darwin.

Tony Barry as Sergeant Callahan, the head of the Northern Territory police.

Ray Barrett as Ramsden, an old friendly fellow.

Max Cullen as Old Drunk

Arthur Dignam as Mission Island priest 

Matthew Whittet as the Christian brother on Mission Island.

[AnimeMania]

Faraway Downs      November 26, 2023      Hulu 

Episodes 1-6   Titles and Descriptions

Spoiler

S01.E01: Chapter One: The LandIn 1939 English aristocrat Sarah Ashley crosses the world to confront her husband and sell a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback.

S01.E02: Chapter Two: Secrets

Sarah learns the truth about her husband and what she is now up against. Winning over Drover may be her only hope to take on King Carney.

S01.E03: Chapter Three: Adventure

Leading 1000 head of cattle across outback terrain, Sarah and Drover are faced with how far Fletcher will go for revenge.

S01.E04: Chapter Four: Romance

Sarah & Drover must outsmart Carney & his men at Darwin wharf for a cattle deal with the army. Sarah discovers she is no match for the draconian race laws and is about to capitulate to Carney.

S01.E05: Chapter Five: Betrayal

Caught between the comfort of family and the pull of his heritage, Nullah must make a hard choice.

S01.E06: Chapter Six: War
(Season Finale)

With World War II imminent, Sarah makes a sacrifice for Nullah. Drover realizes what matters most, but bombs start falling on Darwin.

Edited November 29, 2023 by AnimeMania

[falltime]

I for sure like it better in episode format instead of a long ass movie. I would have preferred no death though.