The Alice (film)
Encyclopedia
The Alice is an Australian drama film created by Justin Monjo
and Robyn Sinclair. It is set in the central outback
town of Alice Springs.
The made-for-TV movie was followed by a regular TV series, which proved less popular than the film and was cancelled by the Nine Network
. The entire series and the original TV movie have since been released on DVD.
has drawn various people from all directions to Alice Springs, an Australian town in the Northern Territory
, nearby which is the best point for observation.
Toby Delaney and his partners are expecting a bus-load of German tourists, but a truck
driver destroys their hotel. He improvises an 'adventurous bush trip' for them, even though he has no experience with 'bush foods'. He serves them Tim Tams, which he claims to be flavoured with Witchetty grubs.
Matt Marione, a medical student with an interest in botany
, takes The Ghan from Adelaide
, but leaves the train at an unscheduled stop to search for a rare outback plant. He is left behind when the train leaves, and survives only by the intervention of a mysterious Aboriginal elder who seemingly appears from nowhere and vanishes the same way. Toby Delaney eventually finds and rescues him.
Connor 'The Pelican' Gregory, a fanatic runner and hillclimber jogs all the way to the eclipse site, accompanied by Helen, his unenthusiastic wife and her grumpy friend in their motorhome. He is killed when he falls over a cliff. His wife is suspected of his murder by the local police, but nothing can be proven.
Former rock musician Jack Jaffers, who deserted his band's reunion to revisit the hotel where they had their first successful gig
, joins them. He is so mesmerised by the scene that he plans to buy land there and rebuild the hotel where they performed (which is now derelict).
Justin Monjo
Justin Monjo is an Australian screenwriter, television producer, and actor, best known for his work on Farscape.He is the son of children's author F. N. Monjo III and the great-great-grandson of arctic furrier F. N. Monjo. Monjo wrote Adrian Pasdar's film debut screenplay Cement and worked on...
and Robyn Sinclair. It is set in the central outback
Outback
The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...
town of Alice Springs.
The made-for-TV movie was followed by a regular TV series, which proved less popular than the film and was cancelled by the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
. The entire series and the original TV movie have since been released on DVD.
Plot
The approach of a solar eclipseSolar eclipse
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. At least...
has drawn various people from all directions to Alice Springs, an Australian town in the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, nearby which is the best point for observation.
Toby Delaney and his partners are expecting a bus-load of German tourists, but a truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
driver destroys their hotel. He improvises an 'adventurous bush trip' for them, even though he has no experience with 'bush foods'. He serves them Tim Tams, which he claims to be flavoured with Witchetty grubs.
Matt Marione, a medical student with an interest in botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
, takes The Ghan from Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, but leaves the train at an unscheduled stop to search for a rare outback plant. He is left behind when the train leaves, and survives only by the intervention of a mysterious Aboriginal elder who seemingly appears from nowhere and vanishes the same way. Toby Delaney eventually finds and rescues him.
Connor 'The Pelican' Gregory, a fanatic runner and hillclimber jogs all the way to the eclipse site, accompanied by Helen, his unenthusiastic wife and her grumpy friend in their motorhome. He is killed when he falls over a cliff. His wife is suspected of his murder by the local police, but nothing can be proven.
Former rock musician Jack Jaffers, who deserted his band's reunion to revisit the hotel where they had their first successful gig
Gig
Gig or GIG may refer to:* Gig , live performance by a musician or other performer** Temporary work, by extension* Gig , 1993* Gig , 1992...
, joins them. He is so mesmerised by the scene that he plans to buy land there and rebuild the hotel where they performed (which is now derelict).
Cast
- Jessica NapierJessica NapierJessica Napier is a New Zealand born actress. She has been working consistently in Australian film and television for the past 15 years...
- Jess Daily - Erik ThomsonErik ThomsonErik Thomson is an actor known for playing Hades in the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Dr. Mitch Stevens in All Saints and Dave Rafter in Packed to the Rafters...
- Jack Jaffers - Caitlin McDougallCaitlin McDougallCaitlin McDougall is an Australian actress who is best known for her roles in the television series Always Greener and The Alice.McDougall is married to actor Erik Thomson and they have a daughter called Eilish...
- Helen Gregory - Simon BurkeSimon BurkeSimon Burke is an Australian actor. Burke began his acting career as a 13 year-old in the Australian film, The Devil's Playground for which he was awarded Best Actor at the 1976 Australian Film Institute Awards....
- Patrick - Patrick Brammall - Matt Marione
- Roxane WilsonRoxane WilsonRoxane Wilson is an Australian actress best known for her roles in Water Rats, Stingers and The Alice. She was born in Durban, South Africa to an Italian Mother and an English Father. She lives in Los Angeles with her children.- Early life :...
- Ellie Delaney - Brett Stiller - Toby Delaney
- Andrew McFarlane - Hugh Delaney
- Anne Louise Lambert - Heaven Daily
- Luke CarrollLuke Carroll-Television and film:Carroll started out in guest roles in some Australian shows, including The Flying Doctors, Lift Off, The Man from Snowy River, Ocean Girl and Water Rats....
- Michael Anderson