The best way to describe this film is by saying it's like an Australian version of ROBIN HOOD. In this case, the film is set during the penal colony days in Australia. George Zucco plays an unscrupulous jerk who buys up all the prisoners to be his indentured servants (though he treats them like his ranch is Devil's Island). In addition, he's power-mad and wants to force all the small nearby farmers to run away by having his thugs attack them one at a time. However, Brian Ahern plays an Irish patriot who was banished to the land down-under and he won't live like a slave, so he leads a small rebellion. With his group of suddenly free men, they embark on a campaign to unify and protect the small nearby farms from the evil Zucco.
Brian Ahern, not a familiar leading man, does a fine job and he is very ably assisted by Victor MacLaglen in a semi-comedic role. The film is exciting and fun, though a tad predictable--much like a Saturday morning B-adventure film from the era.
Brian Ahern, not a familiar leading man, does a fine job and he is very ably assisted by Victor MacLaglen in a semi-comedic role. The film is exciting and fun, though a tad predictable--much like a Saturday morning B-adventure film from the era.