Before Nicole Kidman became famous for marrying Tom Cruise she was in a mini-series called Bangkok Hilton. It is the story of a young Australian girl who is duped into drug smuggling and ends up in the infamous "Bangkok Hilton" jail.
CAST ++++
Katrina Stanton - Nicole Kidman Hal Stanton - Denholm Elliott Richard Carlisle - Hugo Weaving Mandy Engels - Joy Smithers Arkie Regan - Jerome Ehlers Lady Faulkner - Gerda Nicolson
STORYLINE ++++++++++
Kat Stanton grows up in Australia. She thinks that her father is dead. When her mother dies, she finds out the truth about her father, or so she thinks. When her mother dies she travel to Britain to try and find her father. She meets an uncle and a cousin whilst there. Whilst on her travels she meets Arkie Regan at a travel agents, who tricks her into smuggling drugs out of Thailand. Kat is caught at the airport and is then remanded into the Bangkok Hilton prison, where she could face the death penalty if found guilty. She becomes friends with Mandy Engels who is also facing the death penalty for drug smuggling. She is fighting a system that she does not know and cannot understand.
What happens to Kat now? Will she find her father? Will she be sentenced to death in prison?
There is a real twist in the tail, but I cannot reveal any more.
REVIEW +++++++
This mini-series was made in 1990 and stars a young Nicole Kidman as Katrina Stanton. Katrina is a young naive girl who has never left the bosom of her family. Once her mother is dead she is free to escape and to try and find the father who abandoned her and her mother. Nicole plays Katrina very well and gets across the anger and confusion. It was one of her earliest roles and she won an award for it.
Denholm Elliott stars as Kat's father. He is very good in the role, portrayed as a drunk and a coward, although I dont want to say too much for fear of spoiling the story. He finally comes through for Katrina.
Hugo Weaving is excellent as the young lawyer who does not really want to get involved, yet finds himself drawn in anyway.
Joy Smithers is great as Mandy Engels. Her rendition of "Lord Wont You Buy Me A Merceds Benz" always sticks in my mind. Her story is quite pitiful, yet she helps Kat in her own way.
Gerda Nicolson is great as the bitter betrayed mother. Most people will recognise her from Prisoner Cell Block H.
The story of how her parents meet and fall in love is part of the story and very important to it. Her mother feels betrayed, yet her father was pushed away.
Katrina is very much a poor little rich girl who knows nothing about life itself as she has only ever lived in the Australian outback.
MY OPINION +++++++++++
This is one of my all time favourite mini-series. I remember watching it back in 1990 and have watched the dvd several times since.
The story is gripping and drags you in until you just have to know what happens next.
I would really recommend it to watch. It is quite long and is on 2 discs, but it is really worth it. The storyline is fantastic. I wish I could describe it more, but dont want to ruin it and get told off for giving too much away!!
COST +++++
Around £19.99 from Amazon, Play and other stores.
Run time - 273 minutes
More details
Soundtrack
Good
How does it compare to others by the same director?
Not applicable
Value for Money
Excellent
What format are you reviewing?
Film only
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
