09:30PM
TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: FIRE DOWN BELOW Final

Sunday, 27 January 2008
A mesmerising trilogy of novels by William Golding, To The Ends Of The Earth has been adapted into a magnificent three-part mini-series which charts a dazzling and hazardous sea journey from England to Australia during the 19th century.

In episode three, Edmund is obsessed by his memories of the beautiful Marion. He agrees to be a witness at the wedding of Prettiman and Miss Granham with whom he has established a friendship. Having despised Prettiman previously for his radical opinions, he now finds himself being converted to a more liberal understanding of the world.

Benet’s scheme to mend the broken foremast involves pouring molten metal into its base. Though approved by Captain Anderson, this plan fills everyone else with terror. All are now convinced that they will die, either by drowning, burning or starvation as supplies are running low.

However, despite this and other perils, Australia is at last reached and the ship docks in Sydney Cove. Through Edmund’s influence Summers is given his longed for captaincy. A delayed reaction to Benet’s molten metal experiment causes the docked ship to catch fire. Edmund races to save his friend, but Summers chooses to stay with his ship and is burnt to death in the conflagration.

Unexpectedly, Marion arrives in Sydney Cove on the Alcyone. To his joy Talbot discovers that his love for Marion is shared by her, and they, at least, have a happy ending.

Notions of love, courage, guilt, cowardice, morality and brutality are portrayed as never before in this outstanding production of a breathtaking adventure on the high seas.