Australian TV Plays: Naked Island (11 Feb 1965) BBC

TV play based on Russell Braddon's classic war memoir. It was repeated in 16 September 1965.

Again, remarkable that this classic of Australian literature was filmed for British TV but not Australian. In fairness the ABC wanted to film it.

It screened in the US in June 1970.

Premise

The time is August 1945, the place is the infamous Changi Jail in Japanese occupied Singapore. In the last few days of the war five Australian POW's are faced with summary execution. All the camp knows that the end of the wrs must be near for the five secretly listen to the BBC news on a home made receiver. It is their job to pass on the news to the rest of the camp to ensure the success of a planned breakout

Cast

* Ray Barrett as Jacko
* James Bolam as Magpie
* John Breslin as Oscar
* Lewis Fiander as Ken
* Burt Kwouk as Yamomoto
* Barry Lowe as Robbie
* Alan White as Mum

Original book

Braddon's memoir was based on his time as a prisoner of war in Changi, Singapore during World War II. Published in 1952 it sold over a million copies and has come to be regarded as a classic of Australian literature.

After demobilisation Braddon tried studying law, didn't like it, had a breakdown, tried to kill himself, went to England and turned his life around. He became a full time writer. According to an obituary, "His subjects ranged from drugs to political satire, romance to horror, thriller to gritty realism, wild humour to grim prophecy, from displaced youth to post-war Communism and the assassination of the Queen."

Other adaptations

It was done on ABC radio in 1961. It was done again in 1963.

The book was turned into a play.

The play debuted at the Union Theatre in Sydney in 1962 as part of a series of three new Australian plays under the auspices of the Elizabethan Theatre Trust. The others were Shipwreck by Douglas Stewart and The Break by Philip Albright.

The ABC wanted to film it for TV but could not get the rights.

That played in Melbourne at St Martins Theatre for a four night run in 1963 and returned in early 1964. It was performed in England in early 1965. A Guardian review is here.

Braddon wrote a sequel.

Production

John Gorrie directed. Bernard Hepton produced. Braddon wrote it but Rodney Gedye was script editor.

In 1965 Russell Braddon criticised the film adaptation of King Rat based on a book by Australian born James Clavell. Braddon said the film was inaccurate; Clavell refuted this.

It was broadcast in February 1965.

Repeat

The BBC repeated the production in September 1965.