The Farm (TV mini-series)

The Farm is a 2001 Australian TV mini series broadcast on the ABC. The three part drama series starred Colin Friels and Greta Scacchi.

Plot

The bank convinces farmer Tom Cooper to take out a foreign currency loan. After conditions change and he is no longer able to repay the loan he takes on the bank over their bad financial advice.

Cast

Colin Friels as Tom Cooper
Greta Scacchi as Liz Cooper
Marton Csokas as Adrian Beckett
Simon Chilvers as Phil Reynolds
Melissa Jaffer as Helen Cooper
Jamie Croft as Fred Cooper
Yael Stone as Sam Cooper
Ned Manning as Eddie McCormick
Kris McQuade as Pat McCormick
Mark Priestley as Johnno McCormick
Wyn Roberts as George Cooper
Tim McKenzie as Dan Reynolds
Bille Brown as Booth
Paul Chubb as Ron Oakes
Kelly Butler as Felicity North
Marshall Napier as Peter Collins
Christopher Stollery as Walsh
Rob Steele as Roy
Craig Elliott as Wayne
Jan Merriman as Rosemary
Joe Manning as Fred Cooper
Sibylla Budd as Sam Cooper
Peter Carroll as Fenwick
Helmut Bakaitis as Judge Wescott
Tim Richards as Danny

Reception

Writing in the Australian Tim Hughes gave the series a positive review, praising the lead actors and saying "It's essential viewing for anyone with a sense of justice and a sense of place." Brian Courtis of The Age gave it 4 stars and wrote " Woods and writers Judith Colquhoun and David Phillips allow their heroes to endure without treading too many well-worn, dusty tracks. " Also in The Age Debi Enker wrote "The Farm is a perceptive snapshot of a period in recent history, a tribute to a fierce spirit and an examination of the ties that bind."

Awards

2001 AFI Awards
*Best Performance by an Actress in a Telefeature or Mini Series - Greta Scacchi - nominated