My Brother Tom

I happen to have "My Brother Tom" on DVD (converted from an old video tape) and every now and then I watch it to remind myself of what a good Australian telemovie it is. Based on the novel of the same name by James Aldridge, the TV version sticks quite closely to the book, with a few exceptions, like the ending.

Tom Jennings stars as Tom Quayle, a young Protestant man, living in the (fictitious) Victorian town of St Helen in the summer of 1938. He falls in love with Peggy MacGibbon (Catherine McClements), a Catholic, and the two try to hide their love for one another. They know that if it becomes publicly known, there will be backlash/division amongst an already divided town.

Christopher Cummins plays Kit, Tom's older brother, who also narrates parts of the movie, as he reminisces about his brother Tom, and Peggy.

It is quite a cute telemovie, with some good acting by all and despite its 'age', "My Brother Tom" is still quite good to watch now.