Scales of Justice (miniseries)

1983 Australian TV series or program

Scales of Justice

Written by| Robert Caswell
Directed by| Michael Jenkins
Country of origin| Australia
Original language| English
No. of episodes| 3
Production
Producer| Michael Carson
Running time| 227 mins
Original release
Network| ABC
Release| 20 September (1983-09-20) –
4 October 1983 (1983-10-04)

Scales of Justice is an Australian crime drama miniseries directed by Michael Jenkins.[1] It first screened on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1983. It was one of the most controversial Australian mini-series ever produced, examining corruption in all levels of law enforcement.[2]

Scales of Justice is composed of three self-contained, character-linked dramas. Focusing on the world of Australian law enforcement, vice, drugs, politics and widespread corruption, from street level to the corridors of power, the programme was acclaimed for its a near-documentary level of realism. Robert Caswell, the writer of the series, expressed surprise at the criticism it received from police and press.[3]

It was released on DVD in 2005, with a 227 minutes running time.

## Act One — The Job

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While investigating a break-in, Probationary Constable Leonard "Spider" Webber witnesses his senior officer stealing merchandise and is torn between loyalty to his team and his own conscience.

### Cast

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* Simon Burke as Probationary Constable Leonard "Spider" Webber
* John Hargreaves as Constable Borland
* Bill Hunter as Sergeant O'Rourke
* Isabelle Anderson as Constable Callahan

## Act Two — The Game

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Detective Sergeants Ken Draffin and Mike Miles allow their integrity to be compromised by big-time criminal "Nipper" Jackson.

### Cast

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* Dennis Miller as Detective Sergeant Ken Draffin
* Tim Robertson as Detective Sergeant Mick Miles
* Tony Barry as Garth "Nipper" Jackson
* Don Reid as Assistant Commissioner Phillip Thompson
* Brian McDermott as Police Minister Ralph Carpenter

## Act Three — The Numbers

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A young attorney general's actions bring him into conflict with police, senior politicians and major crime bosses.

### Cast

[edit]

* Nick Tate as Glenn Ferris, the State Attorney General
* Richard Meikle as Russell Cooper, the State Premier
* John Meillon as Barry Barnes, the Deputy State Premier
* Kris McQuade as Kate Hardman
* Max Cullen as Arthur Roach
* Frank Wilson as Sir John Ritchie
* Antoinette Byron as Prostitute
* Diane Craig as Meredith

## Reception

[edit]

Upon release the series received backlash as it was thought that the series portrayed the New South Wales Police Department in an unfavourable light. The series highlights the potential for corruption to enter the lower levels of government.[4]

## See also

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* List of Australian television series

## References

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1. ^ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p232
2. ^ Obituary of Robert Caswell at The Australian accessed 14 July 2013
3. ^ "Relax, Says Its Writer", The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 October 1983 accessed 14 July 2013
4. ^ "Australian Television Archive". Retrieved 11 February 2024.

## External links

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* Scales of Justice at IMDb
* Scales of Justice at Australian Screen Online
* Scales of Justice at AustLit
* Scales of Justice at Australian Television

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