A Fortunate Life

1h 30min

Drama

At eight years old, an impoverished Bert Facey was forced to start the backbreaking, dawn-to-dusk life of a farm labourer. Unschooled, his father dead, abandoned by his mother, by the age of twenty he had survived the rigours of pioneering the harsh Australian bush and the slaughter of the bloody WWI campaign at Gallipoli.

Episodes

Cast

Starting Out (1897-1905)

1. Starting Out (1897-1905)

1h 30min

27th Apr 1986

Bert Facey's tormented early years through his father's death and harsh economic depression

Bush Schooling (1905-1908)

2. Bush Schooling (1905-1908)

1h 30min

Bert goes to work for the Phillips, a childless couple who treat him as one of the family.

Journey (1908-1914)

3. Journey (1908-1914)

1h 30min

29th Apr 1986

Reunited with his mother after 12 years, Bert soon moves north to seek work.

Providence (1914-1916)

4. Providence (1914-1916)

1h 30min

30th Apr 1986

A champion prize fighter, Bert enlists when WWI breaks out, surviving the nightmare of Gallipoli.

First air date

27th Apr 1986

Last air date

30th Apr 1986

Status

Ended

Type

Miniseries

Original language

en

Networks