New TV Series of Maralinga

Submitted: Monday, May 11, 2020 at 10:29
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The ABC has announced that its new 6-part TV series"Operation Buffalo" will go to air on Sunday 31st May.

Described as a captivating drama "At Maralinga in South Australia in 1956, atom bombs were not the only things being tested. At the height of the Cold War, the human capacity for loyalty and betrayal were constantly pitted against each other. But not just in terms of espionage. Friend against friend. Lover against lover. Government against its people.....".

It is a work of fiction rather than a true story but inspired by true events, so could be interesting to those of us with an interest in Maralinga and its history.

Here is the trailer.

Don't expect too much and be kind to "Aunty".

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Monday, May 11, 2020 at 13:14

Monday, May 11, 2020 at 13:14
Nice. Well spotted Allan. While it remains to be seen what the plot is like, the scenes look great and should add a new dimension to anyone that has visited.

I'll be watching it.
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Reply By: Mick O - Monday, May 11, 2020 at 13:59

Monday, May 11, 2020 at 13:59
Good old Aunty. Never let the facts get in the way of a good mini-series. Unfortunately she's not alone there though.


It will be interesting to see what auenticity has been woven into the fiction.....or vice verca!
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trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Monday, May 11, 2020 at 16:32

Monday, May 11, 2020 at 16:32
Well Mick, if it's based on what Robin says, who knows if it's fact or fiction. But it will be a good story.

It might run for quite a while though.


He sure tells a good story.
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Follow Up By: Mick O - Monday, May 11, 2020 at 18:36

Monday, May 11, 2020 at 18:36
Ha, he sure does Tony. Wish I was out there listening to it all now sigh...

One day we'll all be released.

Cheers
''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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Follow Up By: qldcamper - Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 07:21

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 07:21
Just hope we dont need Thiess to clean up after the virus. God knows what kind of deal the Aussie government will make this time.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 09:51

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 09:51
That sealed up Landcruiser might come in handy though.

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Reply By: Member - Wildmax - Monday, May 11, 2020 at 15:48

Monday, May 11, 2020 at 15:48
Is it based on the book Maralinga, by Judy Nunn? That was a fictionalised tale with some connection to reality, and quite a good read.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Monday, May 11, 2020 at 20:34

Monday, May 11, 2020 at 20:34
.

No, not based on Judy Nunn's book. This story was commissioned by the ABC and was written and directed by Peter Duncan.
I agree that Nunn's "Maralinga" was a good read though.




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Reply By: Member - Peter S64 - Monday, May 11, 2020 at 21:31

Monday, May 11, 2020 at 21:31
Sounds sort of interesting. Two of us from the Subaru 4WD Club of SA visited Maralinga last September. We will both be very interested to see what this series shows. I bought the 5 DVD series about Len Beadell, "Blast the Bush" which gives a deeper view of what happened in the prelude to establishing Maralinga.

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Reply By: Idler Chris - Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 20:54

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 20:54
This will be interesting.  Being the ABC I wonder if it will be well researched and as factual as possible or pushing one of their lefty barrows.  My understanding is only one women ever stepped on Maralinga but their seem to be plenty of women in the trailer.  While Robin knows a lot he is not one to let the truth get in the way of a good story.  Leon Ashton is the real gugu on Maralinga and he has not been involved in this production so it probably will not be historically accurate.
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Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 21:50

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 21:50
Its a drama not a documentary.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 22:56

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 22:56
.

No Chris, as Ozzie says, it's a drama. No reason to be factual. But I expect that there will be some on this forum who will take great glee in picking it to bits after watching.

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 23:15

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 23:15
Quote "Its a drama not a documentary."

If it is factual it is not a drama, it is a documentary.
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 16:31

Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 16:31
To quote a Monty Python sketch,
"No it isn't.
Yes it is.
No it isn't.
Yes it is."
[:-)

Macca.
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Follow Up By: John Baas - Friday, May 15, 2020 at 02:41

Friday, May 15, 2020 at 02:41
Lefty barrows...?. Only righty oriented barrows would create a balance. I can easily see you pushing one of those, Idler Chris ...?.
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Follow Up By: Member - shane r1 - Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 22:09

Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 22:09
In the ABC’s advertising of the show its says , I think , “ the partially true story”
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Reply By: Life Member - Talawana - Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 21:40

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 21:40
Thank you Allan for bringing this to our attention. We certainly will watch it, even if only for the scenery and their interpretation of true events.
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Marion
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Reply By: Mark C9 - Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 14:26

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 14:26
There have been numerous trailers on tv.
As has been said, it’s a drama so I assume the only factual thing will be the name of the place.
ABC do make some really good dramas, and they also make some shockers. Ill give it one shot, if not for me, I wont watch again. That’s the beauty about choice
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Reply By: JJAdv - Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 16:41

Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 16:41
Here is my story of Maralinga

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Follow Up By: nick g1 - Monday, May 18, 2020 at 11:39

Monday, May 18, 2020 at 11:39
Fascinating. Thank you for sharing.
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Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 21:52

Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 21:52
Just watched Episode 1. Hmmmm ....

On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being light entertainment through to 5 being historical drama to 10 being documentary, I give it 2.

Not unpleasant to watch, but pretty light on, IMO.

Will need to see if it develops a bit.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 21:56

Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 21:56
.

Hmmmm indeed Frank.
I knew those bl00dy Poms were liars......... clearly there were women there!

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Reply By: Member - shane r1 - Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 22:14

Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 22:14
This is a fairly fictional Drama , with a little bit of fact. You know don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story!
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Reply By: Idler Chris - Monday, Jun 01, 2020 at 21:36

Monday, Jun 01, 2020 at 21:36
I have watched it and all I can say is - pathetic. The ABC has certainly gone downhill in recent years and this is just another example. Close it down and save the money.
Chris
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Jun 02, 2020 at 08:00

Tuesday, Jun 02, 2020 at 08:00
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Geez Chris, do you have a dartboard with Ita's face on it?

Any performance will fall if the funding is continually cut.

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