The Great Bookie Robbery

1986 TV mini-series

The Great Bookie Robbery

Written by| Philip Cornford
Directed by| Marcus Cole
Mark Joffe
Starring| John Bach
Catherine Wilkin
Gary Day
Country of origin| Australia
Original language| English
No. of episodes| 3
Production
Producer| Ian Bradley
Cinematography| Ellery Ryan
Running time| 6 hours
Original release
Network| Nine Network
Release| 15 September (1986-09-15) –
17 September 1986 (1986-09-17)

The Great Bookie Robbery is a 1986 Australian mini series about a 1976 crime known as the Great Bookie Robbery.[1] It aired over three consecutive nights from the 15th to 17 September.

## Plot[edit]

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## Cast[edit]

* John Bach as Mike Power
* Catherine Wilkin as Carol Power
* Gary Day as Col Reynolds
* Bruno Lawrence as Cracka Park
* Andy Anderson as Tony Lott
* Gary Sweet as Chicka White
* Candy Raymond as Sonya Reynolds
* Madeleine Blackwell as Anne Marks
* George Spartels as Jaffa Davis
* Paul Sonkkila as Merv Temple
* Frank Gallacher as Inspt. Castleway
* Dennis Miller as Edwards
* Tim McKenzie as Det. Ross
* Margie McCrae as Wendy Lott
* Conor McDermottroe as Red Collins
* Peter Cummins as Father Moore
* Feon Keane as David Power
* Denis Moore as Rusee Lockhart
* Frank Wilson as Winton Bathurst
* Alan David Lee as Det. Sgt. Townsend
* Scott Burgess as Robbo Robbins
* Ray Meagher as Bob Temple

## Reception[edit]

The series got modest ratings figures but won its timeslot over the three nights, peaking at 22, 21 and 20 respectively.[2] The series won best mini-series and best direction at the 1987 AFI Awards.[3]

Anthony Dennis of The Sydney Morning Herald wrote a mixed review stating "It is smartlymade with spotless acting, the mandatory gratuitous violence (done with a degree of style), and a thoughtful use of the mundane urban locations. However, it does lack the intrigue involved in the planning of the crime. There's a feeling that reading press clippings from the day is more compelling than watching the series."[4] Richard Coleman also of The Sydney Morning Herald gave it a positive review concluding "We've seen some excellent cop shows this year in Widows and Edge of Darkness. The Great Bookie Robbery was in the same class."[5]

## Awards[edit]

* 1987 AFI Awards
* Best Mini-Series \- Ian Bradley - Won
* Best Direction in a Mini Series \- Marcus Cole, Mark Joffe - Won
* Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini Series \- Catherine Wilkin - Nominated
* Best Mini-Series Screenplay \- Philip Cornford, Ian Bradley - Nominated

## References[edit]

1. ^ Morris, Joan (5 April 1986), "Bright light for a perfect crime", The Canberra Times
2. ^ Watson, Bronwyn (26 September 1986), "The bookies' loss is Channel 9's gain", The Sydney Morning Herald
3. ^ Byrnes, Paul (10 October 1987), "Teenage love sweeps AFI Awards", The Sydney Morning Herald
4. ^ Dennis, Anthony (15 September 1986), "The sweetest of foul deeds - The great bookie robbery", The Sydney Morning Herald
5. ^ Coleman, Richard (20 September 1986), "Real cops and robbers speak in monosyllables, eschew car chases.", The Sydney Morning Herald

## External links[edit]

* The Great Bookie Robbery at IMDb

*[No.]: Number