The Secret River (2015)

In the year 1806, William Thornhill, a hot-tempered yet deeply sensitive Thames bargeman, is transported to New South Wales after an act of thievery. After serving a few years as a convict, he is pardoned and finds himself settling along the tranquil banks of the Hawkesbury River. The land is a paradise - lush and brimming with promise, located on the outskirts of civilization where the constraints of law are merely whispers. Either through a governor's grant or his sheer audacity, Thornhill comes to own this prime slice of riverfront acreage, a possession that promises a wealthy future. However, a major obstacle looms over this seemingly perfect land – it isn't unoccupied. For forty thousand years, this land has been the heartland of the Darug people, as deeply ingrained in their history as their footprints in the sandy soil. Their presence may not be marked by fences, roads, or houses, but their ancestral claim is as valid as the air they breathe. This land is their home, and they won't surrender it without a fight. Thornhill is confronted with a challenging reality: their primitive spears hold the power to end lives as effectively as any musket's lead ball. Thornhill is faced with a dire choice. Some of his neighbours, like Smasher Sullivan and Sagitty Birtles, view the Darug as subhuman savages, responding with bullets and poison when they resist expulsion. In stark contrast, others choose peaceful co-existence, with figures like Blackwood and Mrs. Herring integrating themselves among the Darug. Tensions simmer and seethe, escalating into a volatile cohabitation that threatens to erupt into full-blown conflict. Ultimately, a band of settlers decides to permanently "settle" the Darug issue. Thornhill's decision will shape the course of his life, casting a long shadow over his future. In the year 1810, the emancipated English convict stakes his claim on this contested land, igniting a profound conflict between ancient rights and newfound ambitions. "The Secret River" is a riveting tale of survival, conflict, and the profound choices that define us, based on the novel by Kate Grenville.

The Secret River is a drama show featuring Geneviève Lemon.

The Secret River is currently streaming on Hoopla.