Joel Jackson puts in a flawless performance as Peter Allen. He's got the gangly dance moves, the voice, and best of all, he's a great actor, never stooping to parody in this - let's face it - unbelievable true story of a small town boy who becomes a huge international star. But all the actors in this lovingly made biopic are perfectly cast - from Ky Baldwin as the young boy Peter, to Rebecca Gibney as his mother, Sara West as Liza Minnelli, and Sigrid Thornton as Judy Garland. The direction is fabulous -- tight, absorbing and confident. The cinematography and costume design are perfect. And the musical numbers are entertaining without being overbearing, because they serve the story, and are not just there for thrills. You can tell the scriptwriters have gone into incredible detail in digging up little pieces of information -- about Allen's father's death, about Allen's relationship with Garland, and his development as a performer. Because of the stigma of AIDS and homophobia, when Allen died, his achievements weren't properly celebrated. This mini-series should put all doubts to rest. He was a great artist and a loving, genuine person.
12 Reviews
Brilliant
roseydosey524 September 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this portrayal of Peter Allen's life. Having lived through the 70's, I distinctly remember many of those hit songs. He really was a classic songwriter like so many of his contemporaries at the time. I worked in the fashion industry then and I am sure he played a role in the bright summer sunny fashions of the seventies, as everybody tried to copy that Rio look.
His early years of growing up in Armidale were beautifully portrayed by this great production team. It was captured so well. Also, the young Peter Allen was priceless. He was so talented just like you could imagine the young Peter was. The older Peter was of course brilliant too and unbelievably talented as well.
Who would have ever thought Sigrid Thornton would ever play a middle aged Judy Garland? She looked and played the part so well. I was glad this part of the story was carefully played out as it was a part of his life I was always curious about. It really showed the pressure that Judy had lived under all her life, as she pushed herself constantly to perform which eventually caused her undoing. It's funny but there were three performers in that family who were all going through their own private traumas which was very well portrayed. It was such a unique situation. It gave us a glimpse into the what the life of Liza Minelli and her siblings must have been like as children of the great Judy Garland.
I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. It never got boring as was Peter's life. He was a person who lived his dream and left a great legacy of songs behind him. Well done Channel 7.
His early years of growing up in Armidale were beautifully portrayed by this great production team. It was captured so well. Also, the young Peter Allen was priceless. He was so talented just like you could imagine the young Peter was. The older Peter was of course brilliant too and unbelievably talented as well.
Who would have ever thought Sigrid Thornton would ever play a middle aged Judy Garland? She looked and played the part so well. I was glad this part of the story was carefully played out as it was a part of his life I was always curious about. It really showed the pressure that Judy had lived under all her life, as she pushed herself constantly to perform which eventually caused her undoing. It's funny but there were three performers in that family who were all going through their own private traumas which was very well portrayed. It was such a unique situation. It gave us a glimpse into the what the life of Liza Minelli and her siblings must have been like as children of the great Judy Garland.
I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. It never got boring as was Peter's life. He was a person who lived his dream and left a great legacy of songs behind him. Well done Channel 7.
Extremely well done!
hennystruijk5 January 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this film (sometimes shown in 2 or 4 parts). The cast is amazing!
Everyone involved in its making should be
very proud indeed. So sad when i think of all those talented men and women we lost to aids.... This is more than worth your time!!
Unique
totalfilmworks20 September 2015
Having read some of the reviews posted here I am greatly disappointed by the first one posted by someone who seems to be homophobic. It was apparent from his head shot that he is far to young to even remember the time Peter Allen lived in. His struggle for success in USA was always over-powered by the presence of Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli both of whom dominated at the time.
Having worked in the entertainment industry all my life and lived through all those years, what was depicted in this TV movie was absolutely the way it was. The performances were great. Young Ky Baldwin has a very successful career ahead of him.
Great TV viewing and thank you 7 for bringing the life of Peter Allen to us all.
On another note I have been watching the Sunday reruns of A Place to Call Home -- Australia's Dynasty - Disappointed to hear Season3wille o Foxtel as I do not subscribe there. Love this show as I also remember those years with great clarity.
Having worked in the entertainment industry all my life and lived through all those years, what was depicted in this TV movie was absolutely the way it was. The performances were great. Young Ky Baldwin has a very successful career ahead of him.
Great TV viewing and thank you 7 for bringing the life of Peter Allen to us all.
On another note I have been watching the Sunday reruns of A Place to Call Home -- Australia's Dynasty - Disappointed to hear Season3wille o Foxtel as I do not subscribe there. Love this show as I also remember those years with great clarity.
Inspiring and emotional tribute for the intelligent demographic.
gbandito20 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I too felt inspired to write a review for the first time after reading the review from an obviously homophobic, unintelligent and self-absorbed child from Perth.
No, this inspiring and emotional tribute to the life of a naturally talented man who epitomized a real Aussie battler and still is a true icon of the Australian entertainment industry, obviously wasn't targeted at a demographic that would include the few self-important and immature children who should have been tucked up in bed during this series' Sunday night time slot, Michael Redneck.
The casting was excellent and I especially admired the brilliant acting of the understated Rebecca Gibney. Ky Baldwin played the young Peter Allen brilliantly, Sara West a very believable Liza Minelli and Sigrid Thornton an absolutely brilliant Judy Garland.
All topped off by the excellent performance of Joel Jackson as Peter Allen, a man I who don't know from past performances, but who I will look for in future performances. This series heads my list of Logie contenders for 2015.
No, this inspiring and emotional tribute to the life of a naturally talented man who epitomized a real Aussie battler and still is a true icon of the Australian entertainment industry, obviously wasn't targeted at a demographic that would include the few self-important and immature children who should have been tucked up in bed during this series' Sunday night time slot, Michael Redneck.
The casting was excellent and I especially admired the brilliant acting of the understated Rebecca Gibney. Ky Baldwin played the young Peter Allen brilliantly, Sara West a very believable Liza Minelli and Sigrid Thornton an absolutely brilliant Judy Garland.
All topped off by the excellent performance of Joel Jackson as Peter Allen, a man I who don't know from past performances, but who I will look for in future performances. This series heads my list of Logie contenders for 2015.
A Great Tribute and great film
huguespt20 September 2015
Just finished watching this moving tribute to a great of the Music, Theatre industry a movie that gives people more insight into the great achievements of Peter Allen. Even as a fellow Australian I didn't realise all the songs he wrote for so many successful artists.
That said the filmmaker takes you on an emotional ride that presents so honestly, you could be hearing it straight from Peter's mouth.
The scenery and film direction is a true picture of Australia (well for those scenes in Australia). The acting and cast were great and Joel Jackson as Peter Allen really gave the movie the energy that Peter Allen brought to everything he did along with numerous great performances to name a few, Sara West, Sigrid Thornton, Lucy Honigman . A wonderful heartwarming film worth watching, buying on DVD and keeping.
I read the review from user (Michael Radny (Perth, Australia)) all I can say is this person must be a homophobia as they state "who cares about the dead) well I do, Pablo Picasso, Mozart, Winston Churchill and that is to name lees than 1% of the people who have been a part of making the world a better place as did Peter Allen.
That said the filmmaker takes you on an emotional ride that presents so honestly, you could be hearing it straight from Peter's mouth.
The scenery and film direction is a true picture of Australia (well for those scenes in Australia). The acting and cast were great and Joel Jackson as Peter Allen really gave the movie the energy that Peter Allen brought to everything he did along with numerous great performances to name a few, Sara West, Sigrid Thornton, Lucy Honigman . A wonderful heartwarming film worth watching, buying on DVD and keeping.
I read the review from user (Michael Radny (Perth, Australia)) all I can say is this person must be a homophobia as they state "who cares about the dead) well I do, Pablo Picasso, Mozart, Winston Churchill and that is to name lees than 1% of the people who have been a part of making the world a better place as did Peter Allen.
Pl
brycefiona23 September 2015
No cringing here. This is vintage Australian movie making at its best. Script, casting, directions, delicate camera work - just a perfect production.This had all the ingredients for being soppy and clichéd, but tight scripting and direction keeps it together all the way to its simple ending. It recognizes Peter Allen career as being one filled with the gritty boringness of trying to make it,until his ship sailed in with the all-sails blazing Judy Garland, played in perfect balance by Sigrid Thornton, a role that could have so easily slipped into parody. The clever flatness of colour at times poignantly captures an era of post war Australia when all was not easy on the home-front, but new sounds and media were innocently arising. This series reveals how the Australian film industry has been so dreadfully neglected, as it showcases the ability of our homegrown talent to make world class entertainment.
I highly recommend you watch this.
iamshotty20 September 2015
I have never written a review before, but I feel compelled to do so after reading an insipidly negative review that was obviously written by a person with absolutely no idea.
This two-part movie has an intangible quality (like most good Australian films), that makes it distinctive and appealing to watch; the acting was excellent, the cinematography was excellent, and the costume design was excellent. Peter Allen was a beautiful person whose life was beautifully depicted here with honesty and integrity. It made me laugh and cry.. and then cry some more... I highly recommend you watch this.
This two-part movie has an intangible quality (like most good Australian films), that makes it distinctive and appealing to watch; the acting was excellent, the cinematography was excellent, and the costume design was excellent. Peter Allen was a beautiful person whose life was beautifully depicted here with honesty and integrity. It made me laugh and cry.. and then cry some more... I highly recommend you watch this.
Perfection
drc-625 September 2015
Peter Allen. I remember him from HK when I lived there - the HK Hilton being one of the preferred ex-pat drinking grounds at the time. Latterly, I have seen and loved Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz and have been quietly wishing for a filmed portrayal of the life of Australia's greatest song writer. Thanks now to Network Seven, here it is and this intimate and hugely personal mini-series is pretty much perfect. It is riveting from beginning to end and God willing, it deserves to clean up at our next Logie awards ceremony.
Much has already been written about the superb performances of Joel Jackson (Peter); Sigrid Thornton (Judy); Rebecca Gibney (Mum) and Ky Baldwin (who was simply AMAZING as young Peter) and to that, I would like to add the wonderfully understated Nick Farnell (Dad) in a role that no actor wants to play in 2015, given Australia's abhorrence of domestic violence.
In other words, all the actors (leading and supporting) were brilliant. It can not have been easy for Jackson and Thornton to pretty much 'nail' the vocal and physical nuances of Peter and Judy; in truth, if they had not managed to get this right, the film was going nowhere.........but they did and the result was a triumph. The only real life visual evidence of Mum was on Peter's 'This is your Life' and clearly, Gibney came across as a much more attractive lady. That said, I would say that she was the rock upon which the film stands. She was your perfect mother of the time.
I do not believe there is any need for me to re-tell the Peter Allen story, save to say (and to reiterate) what several other competent reviewers have already said......that the director/producers have gone to very great lengths to get all the elements of him and his life properly researched. The subtle reflections of country NSW in the 50's/60's are matchlessly put together and this great team of actors makes the resulting pastiche of the first 40 minutes or so (and what Australia was like, way back then) utterly believable.
It was a perfect beginning and without wishing to give anything away, it made for a perfect ending to a marvelous film.
When Peter left Australia of course and whilst still 'one of us', he was, then, in reality loved (and owned) by the entire world. His songs have stood the test of time and will go on giving pleasure for ever. If it weren't for Peter, Hugh Jackman would never have won a Tony for The Boy from Oz. Warts and all, Peter Allen was a consummate Aussie entertainer and this film shines the necessary light on what was a truly remarkable career. IT IS NOT TO BE MISSED.
I can remember very well, flying into Sydney in the 80's/90's and after we had landed, hearing Peter Allen singing 'I Still Call Australia Home' throughout the cabin. And what about 'that Qantas commercial' for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with those hundreds of white shirted kids singing it at Uluru and then around the world?! That truly Aussie commercial still brings tears to my eyes and I am man enough to say that this superb film did exactly the same. Watch it all in one go (and edit the ads if you can). I guarantee you'll be swept away and though there are some undoubted elements that might have been better handled, the overall effect is one that any Aussie and anyone else watching from overseas will love and remember for a very long time.
Much has already been written about the superb performances of Joel Jackson (Peter); Sigrid Thornton (Judy); Rebecca Gibney (Mum) and Ky Baldwin (who was simply AMAZING as young Peter) and to that, I would like to add the wonderfully understated Nick Farnell (Dad) in a role that no actor wants to play in 2015, given Australia's abhorrence of domestic violence.
In other words, all the actors (leading and supporting) were brilliant. It can not have been easy for Jackson and Thornton to pretty much 'nail' the vocal and physical nuances of Peter and Judy; in truth, if they had not managed to get this right, the film was going nowhere.........but they did and the result was a triumph. The only real life visual evidence of Mum was on Peter's 'This is your Life' and clearly, Gibney came across as a much more attractive lady. That said, I would say that she was the rock upon which the film stands. She was your perfect mother of the time.
I do not believe there is any need for me to re-tell the Peter Allen story, save to say (and to reiterate) what several other competent reviewers have already said......that the director/producers have gone to very great lengths to get all the elements of him and his life properly researched. The subtle reflections of country NSW in the 50's/60's are matchlessly put together and this great team of actors makes the resulting pastiche of the first 40 minutes or so (and what Australia was like, way back then) utterly believable.
It was a perfect beginning and without wishing to give anything away, it made for a perfect ending to a marvelous film.
When Peter left Australia of course and whilst still 'one of us', he was, then, in reality loved (and owned) by the entire world. His songs have stood the test of time and will go on giving pleasure for ever. If it weren't for Peter, Hugh Jackman would never have won a Tony for The Boy from Oz. Warts and all, Peter Allen was a consummate Aussie entertainer and this film shines the necessary light on what was a truly remarkable career. IT IS NOT TO BE MISSED.
I can remember very well, flying into Sydney in the 80's/90's and after we had landed, hearing Peter Allen singing 'I Still Call Australia Home' throughout the cabin. And what about 'that Qantas commercial' for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with those hundreds of white shirted kids singing it at Uluru and then around the world?! That truly Aussie commercial still brings tears to my eyes and I am man enough to say that this superb film did exactly the same. Watch it all in one go (and edit the ads if you can). I guarantee you'll be swept away and though there are some undoubted elements that might have been better handled, the overall effect is one that any Aussie and anyone else watching from overseas will love and remember for a very long time.
Normal Free TV Rubbish
michaelradny14 September 2015
Channel Seven has put up a show that they called "the event of the year". However, the person in charge of the marketing did a shocker of a job showcasing Peter Allen as this low budget, horrible acting mini-series. But I have it a go anyway and to my expectations, this show truly was awful. The acting is so cheesy along with its stale writing. Also I gave little or no care whatsoever to Peter Allen himself as he was portrayed in this show.
In reality, people who were and are a fan of Peter Allen may find some merit in this show, but for a more modern audience who either don't know or don't care about a dead washed up performer will find nothing to enjoy. Definitely not targeted towards the younger demographic, and the older demographic should avoid this atrocity at all costs as well.
In reality, people who were and are a fan of Peter Allen may find some merit in this show, but for a more modern audience who either don't know or don't care about a dead washed up performer will find nothing to enjoy. Definitely not targeted towards the younger demographic, and the older demographic should avoid this atrocity at all costs as well.
He may not have been the boy next door but he was the friend you would always invite
rogerdilernia-991-42518231 March 2022
Peter Allen grow up in a time in Australia that was extremely difficult to be gay , while his talent was aways there from a young age it was always going to be hard for him. Most bio pictures tend to gloss over the extremely difficult parts of a persons life . This film tell Peter story as like a Greek tragedy turned into a success story. The acting is honest and well played, Joel Jackson portrayed Peter Allen was mesmerising, Rebecca Gidget as Peters mum was both touching and beautiful, Sigrid Thornton Brough Judy Garland back to life . The only drawback to this two part min series was Greg Poppleton who's wooden performance brought the standard down , his stilted wooden performance as an amateur judge was something this production didn't need.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
lw0716 October 2023
As a 15 year old who is a MASSIVE Peter Allen fan, I absolutely loved this! Whoever gave it a 1 star review is clearly clueless. I loved every aspect of the mini series, the acting, the story and it even led to the surprising discovery that I might be related to Peter's first girlfriend! I laughed at some scenes and cried at many but one thing is for sure. I would happily rewatch it a million times! I would rate it 100/10 if I could and I will most certainly spread the word so other people can experience such an excellent series and also learn about the greatness of the one and only Peter Allen.
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