The critically acclaimed and successful FIELDS OF FIRE has broken new ground as Australia's first mini-series trilogy.
From the anxious and tenuous times of the pre-war years, to the ravages of World War II, and through to a new ear of rejuvenation, growth and prosperity of the early fifties, FIELDS OF FIRE trilogy tells the story of a unique , dramatic and disappearing part of our Australian history: the story of the canecutters in Northern Queensland. FIELDS OF FIRE III is the final dramatic chapter of this story.
The original cast returns including , Todd Boyce, Melissa Docker, Peta Toppano, Ollie Hall, Kris McQuade, Gosia Dobrowolska, John Jarrett, Harold Hopkins, Danny Simmonds, Robert Ruggiero and Patrick Ward.
The cast is further bolstered with three of Australia's most popular actors, Noni Hazlehurst, Martin Sacks and Michelle Fawdon. Noni plays Dawn , a no nonsense, no frills mechanic in whom Jacko finds a kindred spirit. Martin plays Rinaldo , a young Italian cane cutter whose attraction to his employer , Gina ( Peta Toppano) causes passionate complications. Michelle completes the cast as the good humoured school teacher who convinces Whacka (Harold Hopkins) to complete is education.
Interspersed with real footage of the Fifties FIELDS OF FIRE III focuses on the lives of the Silkwood residents in the cane growing township of North Queensland. It is 1951 and the people of Silkwood have assimilated to the radical changes which World War II brought on their lives and have moved into a phase of relative prosperity. The characters have developed what initially appears to be a comfortable prosperity.
The Italians have been well integrated into the community with Gina Agostini ( Peta Toppano) and her brother Paolo (Robert Ruggiero) successful cane growers. Gina still mourning the death of her husband Franco struggles between a strong attraction to Rinaldo and faithfulness to the memory of her late husband.
Life does not deal all Silkwood residents an even hand. Prime Minister Menzies' 1951 Federal Referendum to outlaw communism causes rifts within the small community. Tiny is torn between love and loyalty to his wife Basia , who fears that a " no " vote will pave the way to a police state as it did in her native Poland , and voting for what he feels is every individual's right of freedom of expression.
Finally a natural disaster, a torrential flood, brings the divided community of Silkwood back together, mending broken friendships and healing political differences.
