A Fortunate Life

4.0

1986•1h 30m

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.

Seasons

4 Episodes • Premiered 1986

Still image for A Fortunate Life season 1 episode 1: Starting Out (1897-1905)

1. Starting Out (1897-1905)

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

Still image for A Fortunate Life season 1 episode 2: Bush Schooling (1905-1908)

2. Bush Schooling (1905-1908)

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

Still image for A Fortunate Life season 1 episode 3: Journey (1908-1914)

3. Journey (1908-1914)

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

Still image for A Fortunate Life season 1 episode 4: Providence (1914-1916)

4. Providence (1914-1916)

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

Cast

Photo of Paul Sonkkila

Paul Sonkkila

Archie McCall

Photo of Val Lehman

Val Lehman

Bert's Mother

Photo of Ray Meagher

Ray Meagher

Bad Bob

Photo of Bill Hunter

Bill Hunter

Charlie Bibby

Photo of Bill Kerr

Bill Kerr

Narrator (voice)

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