Australian Colonial Police - TV Series Rush

[Poiter50]

Does anyone know if the ABC made series of Rush was ever released on DVD? There were 3 series made back in the 1970s, starring John Waters, an Aussie acting icon. Set in the 1850s gold rush era, it covered the "policing" of the area around the gold mines and the brutality of the period. There was also a series on Ben Hall, another of our infamous bushranging "heroes".

My thoughts drifted to this as I recently received (from Ebay), 2 Ned Kelly types and 6 Colonial Police and I won a stage coach which is hopefully now winging its way to Oz.

[Christian]

I can't remember ever having seen it, but I looked it up on IMDB and found this:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071046/

There was a thread down the bottom that explained that the ABC no longer hold the rights to it, and suggested some ways of getting back on air:
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=81&m=52504&ps=20&dm=1&pd=3

There's a few other links to discussions about the show, but the word is they deleted the tapes instead of buying new ones to save money.

... wish I had better news for you!

[Poiter50]

Damn!!. Thanks, Christian.

I can't remember ever having seen it, but I looked it up on IMDB and found this:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071046/

There was a thread down the bottom that explained that the ABC no longer hold the rights to it, and suggested some ways of getting back on air:
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=81&m=52504&ps=20&dm=1&pd=3

There's a few other links to discussions about the show, but the word is they deleted the tapes instead of buying new ones to save money.

... wish I had better news for you!

[carlos marighela]

I liked the thread's suggestion of The Olden Days . It's the same footage after all and at least the comedy is intentional.

[HPFlashman]

I remember "Rush" quite well and would pick up a copy, if available. If not for anything else than for sentimental reasons.

Think it aired over here early in the 80`s - points I picked up was that Australia existed in a more than abstract way, that it had a history and that the 1851 Navy Colt was around, I`m still lusting for one of the latter. 

*edit: missed the Colts model year by 2, so righted...

[Capt. Crumpet]

I also remember Rush! (Thank you you for making me feel old)
The ABC shop does have it on DVD but you will probably have to order it. I Have seen it on their shelves in Westfields Parramatta but that was over a year a go.
Ahhhh those mutton chops, dont grow them like they used to. 

[Helen]

Actually Michael, Ailsa and I was only chatting about Rush over dinner the other day. I was saying it would be greta to see a range like this in ?scale!

Loved the series when I was a young. In fact all the bush colonial tv productions or movies.

Cheers,

Helen

[Mosstrooper]

Does anybody remember the BBC (?) series Ben Hall back in the early 1970s ? . Gamed it using Wild West skirmish rules and converted Britains plastic 54mm ACW figures for Police/military and Cowboys for Bushrangers .

[Poiter50]

Yes, it was a special "must watch" event for myself and my then wife (now ex). Inspired me to get a Navy Colt replica pistol watching the series..

Does anybody remember the BBC (?) series Ben Hall back in the early 1970s ? . Gamed it using Wild West skirmish rules and converted Britains plastic 54mm ACW figures for Police/military and Cowboys for Bushrangers .

[Christian]

I reckon some of those new Empress Boers, or even Northstar's South African Company riflemen might be good for some bushies. They definitely have the rugged look. But they might be a bit too heavily armed with those bullet belts?

[Galloping Major]

Ben Hall was a TV classic, I don't know why it's not available on DVD - taken from the book "Wild Colonial Boys", which is a great read full of ripping yarns. I also really enjoyed Rush, especially as it was a bit of a reversal with the troopers being the good guys.

For those who like the above, it's worth getting (available on DVD) "Robbery Under Arms" with Sam Neill in the main role as a gentlemen bush ranger. 


www.gallopingmajorwargames.com