The Violent Earth

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The Violent Earth
GenreHistorical drama
Based on
Terre violente
by Jacqueline Sénès
Written by
Directed byMichael Offer[1]
StarringKarina Lombard
Claudia Karvan
Claire Nebout
Countries of originAustralia
France
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producers
  • Christian Charret
  • Bruce Gordon
  • Kris Noble
  • David Rouse
  • Jacques Salles[1]
ProducerJock Blair[1]
Running time3 x 120 mins
Production companiesCrawford Productions
Gaumont
Budget$10 million
Original release
NetworkNine Network
Release17 September (1999-09-17) –
24 September 1999 (1999-09-24) (AU)

The Violent Earth is a 1998 French-Australian co-production miniseries set in New Caledonia from 1888 to 1977.[2] It was broadcast on the Nine Network in Australia.[3]

Plot

The series is set in New Caledonia, and follows the Australian-Irish Sutton family and the indigenous Kanaks amidst French colonialism.[2]

Production

The series is adapted from the novel Terre violente by Jacqueline Sénès.[4] Production on the series was supposed to begin in 1995, however, it did not begin until 1997.[5] It had a budget of $10 million.[3] The Violent Earth is a co-production between Gaumont and Crawford Productions. It was filmed on-location in Paris, Noumea, Port Douglas and Melbourne.[6] The Violent Earth was broadcast from 17 September 1999 in Australia.[4]

Cast

Reception

At the 40th Australian Film Institute Awards, The Violent Earth received nominations for Best Television Mini-Series or Telefeature, Best Achievement in Direction in a Television Drama, and Best Screenplay in a Television Drama.[7]

References

  1. "The Violent Earth 1998". Screen Australia. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  2. Murray, Scott (1996). Australia on the Small Screen 1970–1995. Oxford University Press. p. 247. ISBN 978-0-19-553949-3.
  3. Brown, David (7 June 1997). "Inside Info". TV Week. p. 6.
  4. Oakley, Matt (16 September 1999). "Local drama is Gallic bred". The Age. Retrieved 10 February 2026 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  5. "Highlights Television". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 September 1999. Retrieved 10 February 2026 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  6. Browne, Rachel (22 March 1998). "Revival of the mini". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 January 2026 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  7. "Winners & Nominees 1998 Television". Australian Film Institute. Retrieved 10 February 2026.