"Bootleg" (2002) TV mini-series

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

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Goofs:

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

Fantastic family viewing

I was so impressed with Bootleg. I thought it started strong, but just got better and better as the show progressed. Episode three had me on the edge of my seat in parts, and in tears in other parts. The cast is very strong, although the Australian accents do shine through in places. I'm assuming it is supposed to be set in England and not Australia. The two leading kids (Steven Geller and Anthony Hammer) do a brilliant job of portraying Huntley and Smudger. Anthony is Australian and Steven is English. The two of them seemed to have so much energy ,and were genuinely believable as good friends. I wonder how they were off camera. My guess is that they got on really well. Anthony's robotic trance in episode 3 is faultless. You will recognise Anthony from his days as Leo Hancock in Neighbours. I was extremely impressed with Steven Geller's performance. His character takes longer to explain than Anthony's. But in Episode three, he went through all the emotions perfectly. His tearful and aggressive scenes were very believable, and the stare of disbelief at the end of episode 2 gave me goose pimples! You will recognise him from playing Mike in Mike and Angelo on CITV. Martin Jarvis played a lovely old book seller, and Gemma Jones was a warm and cuddly sweet shop owner.

Overall, Alex Shearer's novel was beautifully brought to life by Ian Gilmore's clever directing. It was a funny and light hearted tea-time drama which the BBC should be proud of. I'm not sure whether they are planning a sequel, but I would certainly watch it if they did. I look forward to the DVD or video release.

Congratulations to all involved.

9.5/10