SnoopyStyle Mary (Romola Garai) is starving and steals food from a lady on a picnic. She is transported to the penal colony of Botany Bay in Australia along with other petty criminals like Will Bryant (Alex O'Loughlin). Idealistic Lt Ralph Clarke (Jack Davenport) takes pity on Mary and takes care of her. She lets out that she's pregnant from another jailer and he's taken aback by rumors of possible moral impropriety. At the colony, Will becomes the only fisherman and marries Mary. Together they start a family. However the colony is hit with riot, rapes, drought and starvation. Mary seduces Ralph in a plan to steal the only sea-worthy boat and supplies as the group of outlaws escape the colony under Gov. Phillip (Sam Neill)'s harsh rule.Mary Bryant is a wonderful character daringly performed by Romola Garai. I'm conflicted about the story. It's not correct historically and I don't think it works dramatically. It would flow better to fictionalize the story even more. The first part is amazing. The last half of the second part struggles with various turns and slower parts. It's a great character in a historical drama.

JamesRoy I wonder if the makers of this piece of garbage actually bothered to go to the actual site of the first-fleet landing. I say this because the place where they filmed the first settlement scenes bears no real resemblance to the actual place. Sure, I know that you can't film it in the exact spot, since it would be hard to film without getting accidental shots of the Botanical Gardens pavilions, the Opera House and the Bridge, but seriously! Also, any reading of the seminal historical text "The Fatal Shore" by Robert Hughes will tell you that most of the women on the first fleet were raped on the first night ashore, not once buildings and storehouses had been set up. I know it's only a small thing, but when you set out to make an historical film, get the simple bits right and you're halfway to making the rest fall into place. Get lazy with the little things, and the whole deal looks shabby.

jaimywds Mary Bryant was a simply brilliant portrayal of a young woman's strength, vitality, courage and determination. The story encapsulated her desires for love and lust in a new world of discoveries and unforgiving hardships. From a historical perspective I felt I was there, a truly realistic picture of English on foreign soil, bringing their flag of imperialism progressivist ideals, and ethnocentricities. Going back in time the story revealed the capacities of the unrelentless human spirit, pushing the boundaries in both mind and body. Being a young woman myself the character of Mary Bryant truly inspired me, as I thought I have endured hardships. This realistic account of a woman's tale lived 200 years ago discloses how spoilt our lifestyle has become. I am a patriotic Australian and very proud of the blood sweat and tears of our forefathers that made this country. I have placed the movie in my top three movies of all time. The script and the actors were fantastic.

fiery_phoenix89 Mary Bryant was a remarkable person and this mini-series starred remarkable actors who held together a wonderfully moving recollection of a dark time in the history of Brittan and the beginnings of Australia. It frightens me that my country was essentially founded with such atrocities and in such inhumane ways. I knew of the injustices that would later come about with more force for the Aboriginal people, but scarcely thought of the convicts that were dumped there. I had never really looked at the first fleet the way I did when watching the series, it opened my eyes and those of all of us who've seen it, that I'm sure. All in all there were top film making and superb character portrayals in a very important story to remember of the right of each human being to live and to have redemption from there (often petty) mistakes. I will be listening up for Alex O'Lachlan's name in the future and am sure to follow Romola's acting career with deep interest.