Banished

I'm sorry Lavina but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the locations and the acting but I have to admit there wasn't the brutality as there would have been in the early stages of the settlement of the real Australia. I also found that certain things didn't look true to life eg When the woman gets flogged shes up and walking the same day after 25 lashes (I don't think so)flogging would have been a major injury which would have needed several days if not weeks to get better. There also wasn't the broad spectrum of ages in the prisoners, there was no age limits to who was transported from children as young as 5yrs through to the elderly and most were sent for as little as supposedly stealing a piece of bread.

This is a period piece that takes place in 1800 Australia. Filmed on location, the setting is beautiful. If you haven't been to Australia this gives you a chance to enjoy this beautiful continent... The story is pure enjoyment...Up there with The Boardwalk Empire, Rome and a few others... the acting is great, the writers are fantastic! It is easy to buy into the story and you are gone on a wonderful vacation from reality....and isn't that the best in entertainment? I just discovered it...just finished it..and then found out there is not to be a second series...However, the story has a natural ending even through there is much more that could be done with such a script. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

I can't believe the people slagging off this TV series as being historically inaccurate. If it was to stick to the true letter of historical accounts then it wouldn't be called a "drama" series, it would be a rather dull documentary. Instead this series attempts to draw the viewer into a plausible set of scenarios and relationships that develop as the convicts and marines get to know each other in their new home. Having watched the behind the scenes from the DVD, the writer explains that the absence of Aboriginal contacts in the show was to avoid only paying token reference to them here and there and focus on the narrative of the main characters. Perhaps if a second season is able to get funding then there may be more scope to introduce the aspects of interactions with the aborigines and hopefully show them to be the peaceful people that they are, albeit conflicted by the encroachment of their resources and lands, and the abuse of their women at the hands of brutal marines. This was a really enjoyable series and I only hope an opportunity arises for season 2 to be produced. Great acting by all involved and very realistic sets. Curious to know where the outdoor scenes were was filmed. It's a beautiful area.

I have to be lucky I was exposed to Australian history at quite a young age even for it to be taught in a fascinating manner. I have since maintained a healthy passion for Australia's Colonial History in particular, mainly between the first fleet of 1788 and pre-1901 federation anything before then was Indigenous culture and outsiders Exploration.

'Banished' is particularly inspired by historical events after the landing of the first fleet, and really examines the life and times of the convicts and naval authority of the Penal Colony that would become known as Sydney.

I can honestly say the overall quality of the series was really impressive. There's enough compelling drama and insight into the lives of the convicts and settlers, mostly fighting for survival and civil rights and disobedience challenging the authority. I also loved the genuine sense of historical authenticity reflected in the series' production design, costumes and aesthetics along with some fantastic performances from a talented ensemble cast I admire.

Although the series merely mentions the presence of 'Natives'. It absolutely doesn't show it, which is questionable due to the local Aboriginal tribes feeling the political upheaval of the British Colonists settling on their land. Aborigines now more refer to the First Fleet's colonization as an 'invasion'. I do have enough respect for screenwriter Jimmy McGovern who created this show, along with many other respectable screen writing credits. Even after developing 'Redfern Now' which focused on the lives of Aborigines in Modern Australia he would've had some sense to delve deeper into pressure of the colonist's conflicts with the Aborigines faced at the time.

However, I did really enjoy the series for what it is. If you enjoyed this I recommend 'The Timeless Land', 'The Term of His Natural Life' (1983), 'Against the Wind', 'The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant' and the more recently critically acclaimed miniseries 'The Secret River'.

Wife and I sadly just finished the last episode only to discover no more seasons are coming. Hopefully BBC will correct this and produce another season. While a few historical licenses were taken for the drama, the acting, the scenery, the story lines, etc, were all outstanding. Thanks to Netflix for showing this in the U.S.