Burst of Summer generally refers to A Burst of Summer, an Australian television miniseries that first aired in 1985. It is a two-part drama known for its exploration of family dynamics and hidden pasts.
Overview A Burst of Summer is based on the novel The Longest Year by Australian author Philip Gore. The series delves into the complexities of a family gathering during a hot Australian summer, where long-buried secrets and tensions surface, forcing characters to confront their history and relationships.
Production and Broadcast
- Genre: Drama
- Country of Origin: Australia
- Original Release: 1985
- Network: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
- Director: Ian Crawford
- Screenplay: Michael Aitkens, based on the novel by Philip Gore
- Cast: The miniseries featured a notable Australian cast, including Ray Barrett, Wendy Hughes, Olivia Hamnett, and Peter Phelps.
- Episodes: The series comprised two parts, broadcast over two evenings.
Themes The narrative typically explores themes such as:
- Family secrets and revelations
- The impact of past events on the present
- Intergenerational conflict
- The deceptive tranquility of a holiday setting masking underlying tensions
While not as widely remembered as some other Australian miniseries of the era, A Burst of Summer is representative of the dramatic television productions that explored contemporary Australian life and social issues during the 1980s.