User reviews

'The Leaving of Liverpool' brings into the open one of the UK's greatest shames of how young children, orphans or those who had the misfortune to hail from lower class homes, were snatched from all that they knew and loved to be transported to far-flung countries such as Australia, Canada and South Africa. This was not a government-sanctioned crime of the Victorian era but happened between the late Forties right up until the relatively recent Sixties.

This BBC TV drama follows the plight of twelve-year-old sweethearts Bert and Lily and their young friends as they are wrenched from their native Liverpool and transported to lead harsh new lives in Australia, a country so hot and unfamiliar to children who had never been outside their own city before let alone travelled to a foreign country.

The film highlights not only the abusive treatment the children endure but how the long boat journey itself was treacherous. It also shows how many of these children were lied to with officials telling them their very much alive-and-well parents were dead. The excellent quality of the child actors involve allows the audience to feel an emotional connection to them and empathise with the cruelties they suffer from those who were meant to care for them.

The only quibble I have is why this excellent drama is neither available to own on DVD nor aired more on TV as it's a shame that more people are not aware of it. It's also sad these now grown children's plight hasn't been publicised more.

Because I live in Australia and most of the speech in Leaving of Liverpool was spoken in a very heavy English accent, I couldn't tell what was being said some of the time. However, I have to say that the acting of the two main cast members, Kevin Jones and Christine Tremarco, was absolutely fantastic. Their raw, honest depictions of their characters (Bert and Lily) gave so much extra depth to the story and truly made the audience feel the terrible anguish of the experiences that the children went through.

This gripping, moving and sometimes disturbing portrayal is so powerful that it will leave you deep in contemplation but at the same time hand you a sizeable chunk of cheery satisfaction, for this drama boasts a finely executed array of acting talents that make this lengthy time piece perfectly believable. A UK drama that Britons can be truly proud of.

PJW

If you are reading this, you have truly stumbled across something out standing! let's just forget about all the Hollywood films you may have seen and get back to reality for an hour and a half! The majority of the acting in this mini series is just incredible,and we are talking about children here! Usually British child actors are dismal,but in this instance it is not to be. I watched this film in the presence of a huge guy who's idea of fun is to have a battle in a bar after drinking and watching football,this film brought him to his knees. Christine Tremarco and the rest of the cast need a medal for this!

This film is a one off,you will not see anything like this again if you live to be 200 years old. This is the story of young children who have been shipped off to Australia believing their parents no longer wanted them,which wasn't the case here. The children were lead to believe they were being taken in for postures greener,how wrong could they be?

Be warned, this film is brutal and some may be sick to their stomach, but you have to watch it,it will give you an insight on life itself! Plus remember,this really happened it's not fiction,which with that in mind makes it more hard hitting!

I have seen this film twice, but both times are at least 6 years ago (I was 15 at the time). I remember the film as being very touching and one of the few films that have made me cry. Since I can't rent it here anywhere and it hasn't been on telly for a while, I wonder if I would still experience the film the same way. I think I would, because from just the fact that children were being shipped to the other end of world is shocking enough (and knowing such things have actually happened), the sexual abuse and punishments are not even necessary to make the film confronting.

Since it had subtitles here in the Netherlands, I haven't had any problems with the heavy accent that other posters talked about. But now that I have lived in England myself, I would like to see it again and see if I could understand it. I'm afraid I'll have to wait till it's on television again.

Unmissable film about orphans who have been shipped off to Australia then later finding out that one fifteen year old girl isn't an orphan after all. Beautiful film, full marks. This one really sets you thinking, unjustly unheard of by most. Even though I only saw it about two and a half years, ago I still find it great.

i thoroughly enjoyed this movie! A++++ watched it so many time and get more and more out of it.. i urge people to watch this fascinating movie! i would like to buy this movie but have no idea where to get it plus.. I'm only 14 and i have to ask my mum first but its still the best movie I've ever watch well i think I've said about all i cant say so ill just blab on telling people about the movie because i cant put it on yet. i like to think that the movie would just switch and that you have to watch Bert first but its still pretty good the way its put out.. i cant believe the way they treated them in the orphanage that was so horrible. Going to Australia sounded gr8 when you first hear about it.. but thats only because i live in new zealand and its pretty cold down here.. lol well i reckon this is the best movie i will ever watch.. i give it a gr8 recommendation

This is certainly a gripping drama, though I doubt that Britons can be proud of it as, although it does feature two fine British actors in the lead roles, it is an Australian production with mostly Australian cast and almost totally Australian crew and completely Australian post production at ABC TV studio in Sydney. Yes the BBC did help fund the project and has a Co-Producer credit but to claim it as a British production is a complete mistake. Australian producers, directors, cinematographer, sound, editing, sound post production and facilities. An interesting side note is that the Austrlaian producer, Steven Knapman, adopted the Keven, who plays 'Bert' with such tragic realism. The production could only skim the surface of some of the real deprivation and brutality suffered in the ill-conceived child migration scheme that ran from the late 1930's through to the 1970s.

So sad. Wicked what happened to migrant children and their parents. This drama tells the story sensitively yet doesn't pull punches. The acting from the young people and children is outstanding.

This film was truly amazing to watch and i would watch it again and again if i could. It is a story of true compassion and friendship and will always be remembered by me as a true great. It truly is wonderful the dialogue was brilliant the acting was brilliant. Marks out of ten i give this film a positive 10/10.