Long stretches without dialogue. Lingering close-ups of faces and objects. Carefully composed images. Life in the 19th century with all its mud and crime. A passionate care for the oppression of the poor. Yes, this story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and their adventures after deportation to Australia is British film-making at its most concerned. The first half of Bill Douglas' epic film maintains a deliberate pace that demands one's full attention. Once in Australia, the film picks up, both in pace and incident, and gains strength from the charismatic performance of John Hargreves as a convict. There's also some pretty good ensemble playing from little-known players as the Martyrs; and some ripe cameos from such familiar actors as Michael Hordern, James Fox, Barbara Windsor, Freddie Jones, Vanessa Redgrave and Robert Stephens.

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