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.

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.

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.

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.