Touch the Sun (Australian TV series) facts for kids
Touch the Sun is a special series of six TV movies made for kids in 1988. These films were created by the Australian Children's Television Foundation to celebrate Australia's 200th birthday. The idea was to make seven films, one for each Australian state and the Northern Territory, but only six were finished. Patricia Edgar was the main producer, working with the ABC and a company called Revcom.
Contents
Exploring Different Lives: The Films' Themes
Each of the six movies is about 95 minutes long and tells a story important to young people. They cover topics like adoption, living in a multicultural society, life in the countryside, dealing with fame, running away from home, and deafness. Each film is set in a different part of Australia. They show children facing and solving problems in various family and social situations.
Captain Johnno: A Story of Friendship
Quick facts for kids Captain Johnno |
|
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mario Andreacchio |
| Written by | Rob George |
| Budget | $1.235 million |
This film is set in South Australia.
What is Captain Johnno About?
It tells the story of a boy who is deaf and how he becomes good friends with an Italian fisherman.
Who are the Actors?
The cast included Damien Walters, Joe Petruzzi, John Waters, Rebecca Sykes, Michele Fawdon, Elspeth Ballantyne, Vivienne Graves, Sam Sowton, Phoebe Salter, Peter Green, Henry Salter and Grant Piro.
Devil's Hill: Lost in the Mountains
| Devil's Hill | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Esben Storm |
| Written by | David Phillips |
This movie takes place in Tasmania.
What is Devil's Hill About?
A boy from the city and his cousin from the countryside get lost together in the mountains.
Who are the Actors?
The cast included Cameron Atkins, Peter Hehir, Mary Haire, John Flaus, Alexander 'Matthew' Jacobs, Emma Pugh and Jane McArthur.
The Gift: A New Home
| The Gift | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Paul Cox |
| Produced by | Tony Llewellyn-Jones |
| Written by | Paul Cox Jeff Peck |
| Cinematography | Nino G. Martinetti |
| Release date(s) | 1988 |
| Running time | 90 mins |
This film is set in both Victoria and Western Australia.
What is The Gift About?
A couple from Melbourne wins some land in Western Australia, leading to new adventures.
Who are the Actors?
The cast included Nicholas Hatjiandreau, Vicki Serbos, Alexis Anthopolous, Con Laras, Rena Frangioudakis, Peter Felmingham, Margaret Ford, Bill McClusky, Ken James, Susanne Chapman and Melbourne Real Estate Agents Greg Hocking and Andrew Stuart.
Peter and Pompey: An Ancient Discovery
| Peter and Pompey | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Michael Carson |
| Produced by | Margot McDonald |
| Written by | John Misto |
| Cinematography | Julian Penney |
| Running time | 94 mins |
| Budget | $1.43 million |
This movie is set in Queensland. It was filmed in North Queensland.
What is Peter and Pompey About?
Three children in Queensland find old Latin writing in a cave. This discovery helps them find a real Roman boat!
Who are the Actors?
- Clayton Williamson
- Kate McDonald (who is daughter of Garry McDonald)
- Emile Minty
- Aaron Ferguson, Paul Chubb
- Lynnette Curran
- Dennis Miller
- Amanda Muggleton
- Basil Clarke
- Bruce Venables
Princess Kate: Searching for Family
| Princess Kate | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | George Ogilvie |
| Produced by | Antonia Barnard |
| Written by | Kristin Williamson David Williamson |
| Running time | 95 mins |
This film is set in New South Wales.
What is Princess Kate About?
The story follows Kate, a 14-year-old girl who was adopted by a rich couple. She decides to search for her birth mother.
Who are the Actors?
- Justine Clarke as Kate
- Lyndel Rowe
- Alan Cassell
- Myra Noblet
- Shane Tickner
- Rebekah Elmaloglou
- Lorna Lesley
- Martin Sacks
- Mouche Phillips
- Claudia Karvan
- Beth Buchanan
- Annie Byron
- Nick Enright
Top Enders: An Outback Adventure
| Top Enders | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jackie McKimmie |
| Produced by | Jill Robb |
| Written by | Michael Aitkens Jackie McKimmie |
| Cinematography | Jamie Doolan |
| Running time | 93 mins |
This movie is set in the Northern Territory.
What is Top Enders About?
Alice and her Aboriginal friend get lost while trying to reach Kakadu.
Who are the Actors?
- John Jarratt
- Madeleine Blackwell
- Bennendine Woods
- Donald Dale
- Tom Lewis
- Justine Saunders
- Bernadette Hudson
- Mai Nguyen
- Willy Johnson
- Marcus Rosas.
Awards and Recognition
Captain Johnno won a big award called the International Emmy Award in 1988. This shows how well-made and important the film was.
How to Watch the Films
The films were first available on VHS tapes. Captain Johnno even had a special version with subtitles for classrooms.
For a while, only Princess Kate was available on DVD in Australia. Later, some of the films were released on DVD in other combinations. For example, Devils Hill, Captain Johnno, and The Journey were on one disk. Another set included The Gift, Top Enders, and Peter and Pompey with other movies like Rabbit Proof Fence and Secret of the Andes.
The Australian Children's Television Foundation later released two new DVD sets: Touch the Sun - Top Enders and Peter & Pompey, and Touch the Sun - Devil's Hill and Captain Johnno.
