"Bootleg" (2002) TV mini-series

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Ian Gilmour

Writers:

Alex Shearer (novel)
Paul Smith (screenplay)

Release Date:

8 December 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot:

When the "Good For You" party bans chocolate, two boys resolve to bring down the government.

Plot Keywords:

Government | Chocolate | One Word Title | TV Mini-Series | Based On Novel

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Steven Geller	...	Mike 'Huntley' Hunter
Gemma Jones	...	Mrs. Bubby
Anthony Hammer	...	Jason 'Smudger' Moore
Martin Jarvis	...	Mr. Blades
Greg Saunders	...	Ron Moore
Roz Hammond	...	Tricia Moore (as Ros Hammond)
Rhondda Findleton	...	Carol Hunter
Ian Bliss	...	Darius Crowe
David Roberts	...	Martin Burrows
Damien Bodie	...	Frankie Crawley
Heli Simpson	...	Myrtle Jackson
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Aljin Abella	...	Dave Hoosan
Rodney Afif	...	Sweeping man
Sean Barker	...	Trooper
Daniel Bliss	...	Information Film Boy
Frank Bren	...	Shopkeeper
Chris Broadstock	...	Trooper (as Christopher Broadstock)
Christopher Bunworth	...	TV studio director
Rick Burchill	...	Defence secretary
Marco Chiappi	...	Mr. Feely
Daniel Daperis	...	Derek Crawley
Janelle Da Silva	...	Television presenter
Cherise Donovan	...	Tracey
Paul English	...	Mr. Jackson
Flynn Jungwirth	...	Trooper
Terry Kenwrick	...	Committee member
Bruce Kerr	...	Chancellor
Lauchlin MacDonald	...	Trooper (as Lachlan MacDonald)
Rhys McConnochie	...	Mr. Farmer
Sally McLean	...	Angie Powers
Esme Melville	...	Old Lady
Stephanie Millar	...	TV Newscaster
Paul Moder	...	Estate Agent
Denis Moore	...	Wolfgang Puckl
Alfred Nicdao	...	Kenny Yap
Eddie Perfect	...	TV studio floor manager
Andrew Peters	...	Treatment officer
Tony Rickards	...	Fishy Brian
Giles Rittman	...	Information Film Boy
Tim Robertson	...	Prime Minister Tom Turner
Keir Saltmarsh	...	TV shop owner
Ian Scott	...	Crowe's Assistant
Louise Siversen	...	Mrs. Spring
Richael Tanner	...	Kylie Moore
Scott Terrill	...	Chewing gum man
Paul Upchurch	...	Seedy Man
Leah Vandenberg	...	Wendy
Cam Van Steel	...	Trooper
Richard Vette	...	Trooper
Danica Wild	...	Chloe Feely

Runtime:

Finland:109 min (3 parts)

Country:

UK | Australia

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Australian (Victorian) number plates are clearly visible.

Perfect for chocoholics

Having only seen a small amount of this when it was first shown I decided to give the repeat a go and sat and watched it in one solid 3 ½ hour session. I have to say that it was a really nice family movie. Despite having a serious message it works as simply a wholesome story of two boys attempt to fight the system. There may be a few plot holes as to why exactly chocolate was banned, and the rather annoying question of where it is supposed to be set (I'm guessing England, based on the fact it was English money although why they didn't just set it in Australia I'm not sure), but these are overcome by the acting and the warm feeling the film creates. Special note I think has to go to Anthony Hammer, (the only one of the Hancock family in Neighbours who could actually act) who should have been given a much better role in Neighbours, this at least demonstrates how underused he was. I challenge anyone to watch this film (especially the credits) without wanting to eat chocolate. Overall well worth a look especially on a cold winter afternoon.