The Alien Years

TV Mini Series
1988
5h

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Initially set during the late 19th century when the privileged Elizabeth Patterson elopes with German immigrant Stefan Mueller. The pair start their own vineyard but later world war one thre... Read allInitially set during the late 19th century when the privileged Elizabeth Patterson elopes with German immigrant Stefan Mueller. The pair start their own vineyard but later world war one threatens to tear apart their lives.Initially set during the late 19th century when the privileged Elizabeth Patterson elopes with German immigrant Stefan Mueller. The pair start their own vineyard but later world war one threatens to tear apart their lives.

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

YOUR RATING

Stars

2User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 nominations total

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Storyline

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Trivia
This was the second year in a row that Austrian actor Christoph Waltz played a character called Stefan in a filmed production as he had played a character with the same first name in the previous year in the German film 'Das andere Leben' (aka 'The Other Life') (1987). Both titles were made for television.

User reviews2

Review

Featured review

A tale of political incorrectness and ethnic prejudice!

Ultimately well-made series that deals with the imprisonment of German nationals unfortunate enough to have been living in Australia at the outbreak of World War 1. Embroiled in a period when politically, the Australian Labor Party was coming of age, the wine industry of South Australia was finding its feet and European unrest was the main talking point on the home front, THE ALIEN YEARS focuses principally on the interactions of one family during a time of international unrest.

Elizabeth Patterson is the headstrong daughter of a powerful political figure within the Australian Government. When she falls in love with and ultimately marries Stefan Mueller, a German national, eyebrows are raised and whispers can be heard. The pair move to the Barossa Valley in South Australia, to grow grapes and live an unpressured existence. However, the outbreak of WW1 seals their fate and gives rise to bitter hatred which sees Stefan due for incarceration.

Victoria Longley is excellent as Elizabeth, handing the role the dignity it calls for. Direction by Crombie is hands-on and the script at the level required. You could do worse!