The Lost Islands

The Lost Islands
Company type	Television series
Industry	Television
Founded	1976
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Television series
Parent	Network Ten, Paramount Pictures

The Lost Islands is a television series from Australia that first premiered on Network Ten. Subsequently, it was broadcast internationally in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, West Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Greece, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Canada, and the United States.

Plot

During a hurricane, the sailing vessel United World, carrying 40 teenagers from various nations, is nearly destroyed. While most passengers escape using lifeboats, five youngsters remain aboard. The battered ship is eventually driven onto a reef within the lagoon of an undiscovered island.

This island, known as Tambu, is governed by "Q," a supposedly immortal despot who claims to be 200 years old and arrived on one of several ships initially destined for New Holland. At Tambu’s core lies a valley inhabited by descendants of the original settlers living in colonial-style dwellings reminiscent of the 18th century. Nearby stands Malo, a desolate isle with a lagoon where prisoners harvest a "blue weed," believed to be processed into a powder that prolongs Q’s life.

The five youths form an alliance with the Quinn family, who assist them in concealing themselves within a swamp shunned by locals due to legends of supernatural beings. The episodes primarily depict the children’s efforts to challenge Q’s authority, as he fears their external perspectives could undermine his dominion.

In the concluding episode, although the children remain stranded on the island, they celebrate having freed the village from Q’s rule. Q withdraws to exile at the island’s remote tip, where he schemes retaliation.

Production history

Unlike many Australian productions of its era typically created solely by local networks or production companies, The Lost Islands was jointly produced by Australian Network 10 and the American studio Paramount Pictures, both entities now under Paramount Global ownership since 2019.

A compilation of three initial episodes was transformed into a 35mm feature film and released in Australia in December 1975.

Protagonists

Tony Hughes as Tony, an orphan from Australia.
Jane Vallis portraying Anna, originating from Germany.
Robert Edgington as David, representing America.
Amanda Ma playing Su Yin, from China.
Chris Benaud as Mark, hailing from Britain.

The People of Tambu/The "Q-People"

Margaret Nelson as Helen Margaret Quinn.
Rodney Bell portraying Aaron James Quinn, Helen’s younger sibling.
Michael Howard as Jason Quinn, Helen’s elder brother.
Ron Haddrick in the role of The Q, the tyrannical ruler of Tambu.
Ric Hutton as Rufus Quad, serving as Q’s prime minister.
Willie Fennell playing Jeremiah Quizzel, a friend to the Quinn family and servant to Q.
Cornelia Frances as Elizabeth Quinn, mother to Helen.
Don Pascoe portraying Adam Quinn, Helen’s father.
Frank Gallacher and Ron Blanchard as Quig and Quell, henchmen under Quad.
Harry Lawrence in the role of the Hermit, an escaped convict and former acquaintance of Adam Quinn.
Harold Hopkins as Thomas Quick, one of Q’s guards who becomes friendly with the children after Su Yin rescues him.
Wallas Eaton playing Quilter, headmaster of the local school.
Kent Strickland as Quimby, known as the village troublemaker.
Dianne Berryman portraying Bess, Q’s ward who forms a friendship with Tony.

Modern World people

Peter Adams portrays Jimmy Williams, a pilot who becomes stranded on Tambu following a crash in episode 8.
Peter Sumner appears as Christian Dobler, a German sailor and educator marooned on Tambu during episodes 16 and 17.

DVD releases

The series The Lost Islands was made available on DVD by the French distributor Les Héros de la Lucarne (titled L'ile Perdue in both French and English) and by the German company PIDAX Film (under the name Die verlorenen Inseln in German and English).

Cult status in Israel

Having been aired multiple times on Israel's sole television channel during the 1970s and 1980s, the show gained a devoted following there. This enduring popularity inspired a 2008 Israeli feature film that shares its title.

External links