Foxtel’s new locally made, mini-series has a unique history. It is both a sequel to the 1975 Fred Schepisi movie of the same name and an original production. What links both productions is actor Simon Burke who starred in the movie as a 13 year old and reprises his role as Tom Allen in the mini-series. Just an FYI, you do not have to see the movie to watch the series.
I wasn’t really sure I wanted to watch this series, as good as it looked, because it breaks my heart, all these stories of abuse within the Catholic Church and the subsequent cover ups by..…well everyone it seems. So I got around this by IQ’ing (for those without Foxtel, IQ enables you to record an entire series/season for later viewing) and waiting until I had the time and mindset to sit down and watch.
And I am really glad I did.
What could have been either a demonising of the Catholic Church or an apology piece (yeah I know but I can’t think of any other way to phrase it) was instead as balanced an account as possible in a time when these crimes started to come to light. The church still considered itself and was considered by many, including politicians and the police, to be above the law. The church knew about and dealt with the abuse internally, forever throwing these kids onto the scrap heaps of humanity.
But there were those within the church who could not, would not, turn a blind eye to what was happening. These priests and brothers sought to expose the crimes, sometimes at great expense to themselves.
We see a young man Matt (Levett) who is forever scarred by his abuse at the hands of Father Andrassi (McFarlane). Andrassi is still abusing young boys and makes pitiful pleas to his Bishop (Noble) for forgiveness and understanding. Andrassi’s arrogance when he was offered forgiveness via Confession sickened me to the core.
In contrast, Bishop Quaid (Hany) is broken when he discovers the truth of these cover-ups. He prays for guidance and is devastated when he realises so many know and do nothing. He stands to lose all when he asks local MP Margaret Wallace (Collette) for help.
That we are shown so many points of view is a credit to these storytellers. From the most evil of priests to the most innocent of children, we see the impacts on everyone. Parents who cannot believe their beloved priest would do such a thing, a church who shuns it children’s to protect it’s clergy, a child who is groomed and abused and has nowhere, no one to turn to.
This series will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. I cried in despair as a little boy held secrets no child should have to deal with. I raged as a smug priest sauntered into home and looked a parent in the eye as he collected her child to abuse. I cheered as an elderly nun stood toe to toe with a priest and refused to hand over a child to him.
This is not easy watching, not at all, but it is one series you must see. The writing is exquisite and the acting is superb. It could easily have been a heavy handed (either way) disaster but instead it is a nuanced study of the human condition.
Review Score: FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Devil’s Playground screens on FOXTEL’s Showcase in 6 parts. plus you can access it via BoxSets.
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