| THE ADVENTURES OF SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON - BOOK 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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THE ADVENTURES
OF
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
BOOK 10 - BOSTON
Original US Airdate: 11 - 15 October, 1998
(each 75 minute episode was divided into 3 parts)
Screenplay by David Fox
Directed by John Laing
Guest Cast:
Ken Blackburn (Oscar Wyss), Charles Lum (Kwang Sen),
Chris Hampson (William Lester),
Des Kelly (Judge Moss),
Jed Brophy (Seth Parsons), Brian Sergent (Sidney Thomas),
William Kircher (Sneed), Matthew Chamberlain (Collins),
Bernard Kearns (Edmonds),
Dale Corlett (Sergeant),
Des Morgan (Prison Guard), Roger Page (James Cotterill)
Ernst's Journal
I have written of my family. Father and mother. My sisters, Joanna and Christina. Of Billy, the cabin boy. And Ben, who started as our enemy and became our friend. And then, of course, there is Emily. Dear Emily. About whom I fear I have written far too much. I have told of our adventures. Of being shipwrecked and marooned. And of our eventual rescue after nearly two years. But now begins perhaps the strangest chapter of them all. Although we had faced mortal peril many times over, nothing in our experience had prepared us for the ordeal which lay ahead. We had survived the ravages of mother nature. Could we survive in civilised society?
…
Joanna and Ben weren't the only members of the family struggling to readjust to life. We were all finding it difficult. We couldn't seem to settle back into society. And missed the island. Especially Billy, who for some unknown reason appeared to have found refuge living in the stables.
…
Sadly, the arrest wasn't a mistake. And I wondered if someone was intent on settling a score with my father. But who? The following morning the family were desperate for news when my grandfather arrived after visiting father in prison.
…
Ernst's letter to David in prison:
"It would seem my family is being tested by some higher power. Forever pushing us beyond the limits of endurance. But although our trials and tribulations never seize we are not downhearted. Each new calamity only serve to strengthen our resolve. Take Ben, for example. He has found work and it has transformed him. He is now quite the gentleman. Billy too has left the fold for new adventures. And though Christina is upset to see him gone she will in time come round to the idea. As for me, my work continues apace. Of course, I worry about you, father, sitting alone in your cell. But I am confident that these accusations against you will once again be proved worthless. They have no case against you. Emily sends her love too. Our ongoing courtship is a consolation and a source of never ending joy."
…
For all my letters reassuring my father, in reality our family seems to be tearing apart at the seams.
…
My father was devastated and lost all hope during the early stage of the trial. Could it really be that Kwang-Sen had enough power - or wealth - to pervert the course of justice?
…
We could hardly believe that at long last father had cleared his name. With the unexpected assistance of Kwang-Sen and Emily. There was to be yet another surprise in store from a Mr Edmunds who was destined to change the course of our lives as celebrations finally got underway.
…
David's letter from the island home to Ernst in Boston:
"My dear Ernst,
I have so much to tell you. The Hawk is a fine ship. And we made good headway. The long journey passed almost without incident Almost, but not quite. When land eventually hauled into view I don't mind telling you that our hearts were in our mouths. We needed no chart to recognise our island. It was a proper homecoming. Our joy at seeing Billy onboard soon turned to heartache when we realised that he would not be allowed to disembark with us. There is so much to do here, Ernst. We miss your strong back and your ready smile. We miss dear Emily's quiet determination. And wish you both great happiness in all that you aspire to."
With Billy reunited with the family and settlers on our island home there was hope for the future. I often long to return with Emily and settle permanently. But no matter what transpires, I will always fondly remember the period in our family's lives that was an extraordinary adventure. And I leave it to the reader to determine if the adventure of Swiss Family Robinson was perhaps the greatest adventure of all.

