| Bangkok Hilton (1989) |
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Runtime: Sweden:251 min / USA:240 min
Cast
Nicole Kidman .... Katrina Stanton
PlotKatrina (Nicole Kidman) believed that her father was dead. Only after the death of her mother does she discover the truth – her mother’s parents discovered Hal’s disgraceful war record and forced him to leave to Australia. Katrina’s search for her father takes her to England where she finds his family. Despite their disapproval Katrina is determined to find him and at the last minute her Uncle gives her the address of a firm of lawyers in Bangkok who look after the Stanton family business and may know of Hal’s whereabouts. While in London, Katrina meets and falls under the spell of charming Arkie Regan who suggests they fly to Australia via Goa and gives Katrina a camera as a present to record the trip. After an idyllic week together, Katrina persuades Arkie to accompany her to Thailand to help find her father. The trip proves unsuccessful so the couple decides to return to Australia together. At the airport Katrina’s camera case is searched and 8 kilos of heroin are found and suddenly Arkie has disappeared without a trace. In the nightmare that follows Katrina swears she is innocent but no-one will listen. She is imprisoned in the “Bangkok Hilton” a notorious prison where she has to fight to survive whilst awaiting her trial, knowing that if she’s found guilty she will face execution. Her only contact in Bangkok is her father’s solicitor, Richard Carlisle (Hugo Weaving) and so Hal Stanton (Denholm Elliott) unbeknown to her finally meets his daughter and becomes her only hope for release. Touched by his daughter’s courage and convinced of her innocence, Hal is determined to save her, and by doing so, perhaps himself. The legal battle is lost, and all seems hopeless until Hal, forced to face up to his own experience of imprisonment and to recall the terrible memories he has tried for so long to suppress, comes up with a daring plan, Escape. (from the DVD cover) The first part of the mini-series starts off a bit slow, telling of Hal and Katrina’s mother’s meeting and how they fell in love. Nevertheless, you’re gradually drawn into the story and the last two episodes are really outstanding. I especially liked the sort of father-son relationship between Hal Stanton (Denholm Elliott) and Richard Carlisle (Hugo Weaving).
Quotes
"They've stopped the money, have they?" ************* "Twenty years ago you were the funny man who drank a lot and sung songs from South Pacific..." ************* "...it's the law. It's how I've been raised. It' all that stands between us and chaos..."
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Directed by: 
