VALERIE COGAN starred in this six-part drama series developed by British writer Elizabeth Gowans from her award-winning TV play A Woman of Good Character. Heart of the High Country followed the fortunes of Ceci, a young English woman who emigrates to New Zealand at the turn of the century full of hope for a new life in a new land. When she arrives in the South Island the high country sheep runs already exist alongside smaller farming blocks. There is wealth and poverty. Of all the New Zealand provinces, Canterbury most closely preserves the class structure of England, and Ceci is working class. Plagued by misfortune and trauma, she is raped, has a child and witnesses a murder. Her circumstances are wretched but a twist of fate takes her to a high country station where at last she finds a chance to better herself.
Directed by Sam Pillsbury (The Scarecrow), Heart of the High Coun try also stars Kenneth Cranham, Peter Bland (Came a Hot Friday), David Letch and Frank Whitten (Open House).
Available on DVD and vhs
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