Fields of Fire II watch online HD

This Australian TV mini series first ‘stripped' in May 1988 on Channel 9, was the second instalment in a trilogy based on the sugar cane industry in Northern Queensland, in the years around the Second World War.

This second part starts in 1947 with the marriage of Kate (feistily played by Anne Louise Lambert, who replaces Anna Hruby from the first series) to Franco (Joseph Spano), and then addresses the problems of a mixed race relationship and the antipathy expressed towards the Italian community by the locals (themselves descended from other European settlers, of course). The expectations of Kate's husband Franco are not met by his highly spirited wife who refuses to be subservient and wants to be consulted about her husband's business. The consequences of remaining in an unhappy and unequal relationship that can only bring pain and misery to all associated, are ultimately tragic. Gina's (Peta Toppano) brother and sister-in-law's censure of her involvement with Franco elicits from her an important remark that `life is for living', and therefore too short to deny bringing healing to those who need it.

Respectability is equated with narrow mindedness and the lack of tolerance of others, deriving from the ridiculous notion that our viewpoint is the only acceptable one. The prejudice displayed against the Italians by the locals who refuse to sell supplies to them forces Franco to illegally distil alcohol for fuel and run other `crooked' enterprises which in turn increases the disgust of his unhappy wife. Inhumane attitudes and the displacement of moral values are expressed by the police sergeant's lack of concern for life and justice following the fatal bashing of Bruno because he had called on a prostitute. The sergeant even suggests that the Italian community take the law into their own hands, which they stereotypically do. Social prejudice and bigotry about differing cultures are also represented by an American woman's attitude towards Elsie (Kris Mcquade) who scornfully views her as a bar girl, failing to recognise her as a businesswoman and an equal.

Todd Boyce reprises his role as the English man, Bluey, who, in his over enthusiastic attempts to mechanise the cane cutting on Tiny's (Ollie Hall) farm, ends up destroying the crop. Medical bias is demonstrated by the resident provincial doctor who refutes Dusty's (Melissa Docker) experienced knowledge as a nurse, and other issues packed into this film include protectionism, child neglect and the disastrous introduction of Hawaiian cane toads.

The various storylines, acting and production are all perfectly reasonable for a TV mini-series and better for being Australian with their own particular set of issues than the UK's insipid American influenced staple diet. However, I found the denouement literally too over blown with several tons of explosives being liberally used, suggesting that Franco had actually built his house (a `pink mausoleum') on an ammunition dump, and the real nature of fire is manipulated for dramatic effect.

In tracking down a copy of this film I found some confusion concerning ownership of copyright, although the credits indicate Zenith Productions Ltd. This is worth pursuing as ScreenSound Australia has preservation material for all three series which could be copied onto tape.

Fields of Fire, the saga of power, prosperity and prejudice in the cane fields returns with second Mini Series. Most of the original cast return for the sequel including Todd Boyce , Melissa Docker, Ollie Hall, Kris McQuade , Harold Hopkins, John Jarrett, Ken Radley, Patrick Ward, Paul Bretram and Nicholas Hammond.

The strong cast is bolstered by three of Australian best actresses, Anne Louise Lambert, Peta Toppano and Gosia Dobrowolska. Anne Louise Lambert takes on the role of the high spirited Kate and Joseph Spano the role of Franco , an Italian canecutter increasingly involved in illegal activities. Peta Toppano plays Gina a fiery newcomer from Naples, and Gosia Dobrowolska plays Polish refugee Basia.

The two part four hour mini series begins as World War II ends and a debilitated and hungry world slowly recovers, with the sugar cane industry in lush but isolated North Queensland swinging into full production. The end of the war marks a new period of prosperity in the steamy cane fields for old and " new " Australians alike, but migrants suffer the barbed prejudice of narrow minded sections of the community.

Among the thousands of Europeans fleeing war torn Europe to see work and a new future in North Queensland is Gina ( Peta Toppano, a sensual Italian woman destined to cause trouble in the small world of the cane fields.

War has also taken its toll on the cutters- in Tiny's gang Whacka and Jacko are back , but Bluey can no longer cut because of his serious war injury and Tiny's enormous strength has been sapped by Dengue fever.

War has irreversibly changes the lives of the major characters. Years of separation have shaken relationships; decisions between lovers on different continents have been made, while others must reconcile the enormous cultural gap between them.