The Small Victory

Small Victory

Company type	Television drama
Industry	Television
Founded	1958
Founder	William Sterling (director)
Headquarters	Melbourne , Australia
Products	Television drama

Small Victory, a television drama from 1958, was aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and is set against the backdrop of the Korean War. Directed by William Sterling, the production was filmed in Melbourne and broadcast on 26 March 1958.

This work is an adaptation of a play written by Australian playwright Iain MacCormick. The ABC subsequently showcased his other plays, including Sound of Thunder and Act of Violence (1959). During this era, Australian television dramas frequently drew from stories originally produced abroad.

Plot

Set during the Korean War, the story revolves around individuals trapped at the Mission School of the Sacred Heart by North Korean forces. Among them are Father Riley and Sister Annalissa. The American war correspondent Thompson aids a Korean orphan named Sophie in gaining entry to the Mission School.

Cast

• Beverley Dunn portraying Sister Annalissa
• Brian James as Father Riley
• Sydney Conabere in the role of Thompson
• Kira Daniels as Sophie
• John Morgan playing the political leader
• Bettine Kaufman
• Neville Thurgood as Sgt Little
• Judith Godden
• Laurier Lange
• Tony Roberts

Production

Production benefited from the expertise of W.R. Whitmore, a BBC lighting specialist who contributed while lecturing in Sydney and Melbourne; he had previously worked on the BBC adaptation. Principal cast members James, Dunn, and Morgan had recently appeared together in the television play Gaslight. For added realism, director William Sterling secured a machine gun from the military. Beverley Dunn featured in several television plays during this period, including this one.

Reception

The production received positive feedback, with The Age noting it was "well received."

See also

• List of live television plays broadcast on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1950s)