27A (1974)
Director – Esben Storm
Writer – Esben Storm
Starring – Robert McDarra, Bill Hunter, Graham Corry, Richard Moir, James Kemp, Rick Creaser, David Curtiss, Tom Farley, Peter Gailey, Bob Lee, Philip Jay, Rick Ireland, Karl Florsheim, John Marshall, Bob Maza
Review by Noel Bailey
Who’s criminally insane here, Bill Donald or the enforcers of the Queensland Health Act?
Extreme thought-provoking docudrama here.
Based on a true story, Bill Donald is a middle-aged loser, and an alcoholic who finally turns to AA for assistance. Following a psychiatric examination and by invoking the notorious Queensland Health Act No 27A, authorities commit Bill to a hospital for the criminally insane, pending his ability to prove himself eligible for release.
This is the story of one man’s challenge to the validity of the Law. Bill Donald may be a liar, a cheat, an entrenched alcoholic but he is also just one man trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare.
Esben Storm has done a fine job with this film. It is compulsive viewing. Robert McDarra also, hands in a more than capable characterisation of Bill Donald, not an easy role to play here.
Recommended entertainment in my opinion.
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