For the Term of His Natural Life (miniseries)

For the Term of His Natural Life
Based on	novel by Marcus Clarke
Written by	Patricia Payne Wilton Schiller
Directed by	Rob Stewart
Starring	Colin Friels Susan Lyons Robert Coleby
Theme music composer	Simon Walker
Country of origin	Australia
Original language(s)	English
No. of episodes	3 x 2 hours
Production
Producer(s)	Patricia Payne
Budget	$6.5 million
Release
Original network	Nine Network
Original release	23 May 1983

For the Term of His Natural Life is a 1983 Australian mini-series based on the classic novel.

Richard Devine is convicted for robbery and sentenced to prison in Australia under the name Rufus Dawes.

The mini-series was based on the original serialised version of the novel For the Term of His Natural Life, which meant it featured scenes of Rufus Dawes in the Australian Gold Rush and a happy ending where Dawes is reunited with Sylvia.

The mini series was a passion project for Patricia Payne, who had wanted to adapt the novel since she read it in high school. She spent eight years raising the $6.5 million budget, which consisted of private investment. Payne's co producer was Wilton Schiller, an American with extensive TV experience. Shooting began before the series had been sold to an Australian network.

It was shot partly in Adelaide, Victor Harbour, Macquarie Harbor and Port Arthur.

An interactive app based on the mini series was released in 2012.

It aired in the United Kingdom in 1985, where the Guardian headlined its review "fair stinkum".

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