Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

The Dirtwater Dynasty (1988)

play
clip Inheriting the earth education content clip 3

This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

Now a widower, Richard Eastwick’s (Hugo Weaving) son, David (Peter Phelps), had gone to fight in the First World War over his father’s objections. He is killed in action and Richard is heartbroken that he will no longer have an heir to inherit his vast pastoral properties. In mourning, he is comforted by Frances (Judy Morris) who will become his second wife and the mother of a second son.

Curator’s notes

This is melodrama at its best. A saga of great love, enduring hatred, loads of family intrigue and lost and stolen babies. One of the very successful ways that Kennedy Miller keep the story grounded is through their trademark use of archival footage to remind the viewer of the particular era in which each element of this vast story is situated.