Mary Bryant - The Incredible Journey Of Mary Bryant DVD > Reviews > Bringing history to life!

Set in the late 18th century, The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant, tells the true story of a 19 year old convict, one of the first to be sent to Botany Bay - a new penal colony that is what we now know as Sydney, Australia.
Mary (played by Romola Garai), originally from Cornwall, was forced by hunger, to steal a bonnet and bag from an innocent passer by. Sent to prison to await sentancing, Mary is raped by the prison guard and falls pregnant. Shortly after she is sent to serve out her sentance in Botany Bay. The journey is horrendous, appalling conditions, near starvation and disease drive the convicts to dispair. During the 9 month voyage, Mary manages to get into the good books of one of the officers (Lieutenant Ralph Clarke - played by Jack Davenport) and for a while is his servant and student. Lt. Clarke was to be accompanied by his wife but after seeing the ship, she decided that sea life wasn't for her and stayed behind. One day Lt. Clarke gives Mary one of his wife's dresses. Mary tries it on but as her belly has grown it won't do up and tells Clarke she is "with child". Outraged, he leaves the cabin and vents his anger on one of Mary's friends - the poor woman receiving many lashes. Mary desides that she can't stay with Clarke and returns to the other convicts in the bowels of the ship where she eventually gives birth to Charlotte.
During this time, we see a little of the man who is to become Mary's husband. William Bryant (Alex O'Lachlan (absolutely gorgeous!))
On finally arriving in Botany Bay, The covicts are put to work in "building a new nation", the brainchild of Governor Authur Phillip (Sam Neill). Couples are allowed to marry and build houses so this is what Mary and Will do, and not long after they have a baby boy.
Over the next three years, crops fail, people starve and die. At the funeral of one child, Mary announces that she will not watch her children die of hunger and that they are leaving.
For the next few weeks/months they and a few other men steal what they need for the journey ( Mary ends up in Clarke's bed so they can achieve this) Finally they get away in the only boat there is, the Governors cutter, whilst being shot at.
The rest of the story chronicles their voyage to Temur and the trials they face as well as their relationships with each other.
I don't want to give away any more of the story as I feel that it will spoil the viewers enjoyment.
The film is split into two sections (on one disc) and both together total 200 minutes. It contains sex, violence and sexual violence and is rated 15.
I bought this DVD direct from the BBC at around £17.00 but if you are prepared to hunt around I'm sure that it can be found cheaper. The only other place where Mary's name comes up is in the book "Fatal Shore". I think it is a pity that more isn't known about this young heroine and how she lived. Still, a very good film that will have you reaching for the hankies!