After searching for 2 years, I finally found a copy of this 3 part mini series on VHS and it was worth the waiting for !!! Let me give you a review of this sensational piece of Australian history.
The Great Bookie Robbery actually happened in Melbourne in 1976 and was the biggest robbery in the country's history at the time. In 1986 this mini series was made and although it is a true story, the names have been changed and it is set in 1986 instead of 1976.
Although the series is centered around the big heist at the Victoria Club, the storyline is really about Melbourne's underworld in the 70's. It is based on an actual war between criminals and their battle for power. It is similar to the Melbourne underworld wars of recent times which have claimed the lives of big names such as Jason Moran and Alphone Gangiatano. The big difference is that in the 70's drugs were not the big thing, armed robberies were the way to make a dollar and this film shows the days before high tech police surveillance and listening devices.
John Bach is brilliant as Mike Power, (whose character is based on Ray "Chuck" Bennett) the leader of this group of armed robbers and as the series goes on, the viewer falls in love with his group of criminals and learns to hate the police.
The Late Bruno Lawrence plays "Cracka Park" (whose character is based on Russell "Mad Dog" Cox)Australia's most wanted criminal, on the run and in love with Mike Power's sister in law.
Gary Day and Andy Anderson play other important roles in the film as part of Mike Power's gang, but they have their rivals and none more evil than The Temple brothers - Merve and Bob. (characters are based on the Kane brothers, Brian and Les)The Temples are stand-over men who are feared and always willing to relieve other crims of their hard earned cash.
Gary Sweet plays "Chicka White", an undercover cop with no class who fools some of the more gullible members of Power's gang. On the same side of the law is Dennis Miller playing "Mal Edwards" who is a corrupt detective on the Temple's side. Edwards has always wanted to put Power away but seems to fail at every attempt.
There are other great performances from people such as Catherine Wilkin who plays Mike Power's wife Carol, the loyal wife who desperately wants her husband to give up crime. Gary Files plays "Slasher Grey", the dodgy used car salesman who cant keep his mouth shut and is tricked into making a statement by the police who offer him protection. But as always the police protection is short lived and Slasher soon finds himself a dead man. Mike Power and Tony Lott do their usual thing and kill him without leaving any evidence...or a body behind !! And watch out for veteran actor John Flaus' double act. Firstly as Carol Power watches "Blood Money" on TV and she sees him killing another man in part one and then in part two he bobs up again as a gun salesman !! As the story unfolds, the big one is carried out and they net more than three million dollars. Soon afterwards, the three main players of the gang are holidaying on the Gold Coast when they hear reports of trouble back in Melbourne. The Temples give Jaffa Davis a good beating and they also kill Russ Lockart who drives the getaway cars for Power's gang. Power's boys soon realize they have a war on their hands and they are determined to kill the Temples. Bob Temple is soon shot dead by Mike Power and Tony Lott in front of his wife and his body is never found. (Just as Les Kane was shot in front of his wife and his body never found in 1978)Merve Temple is determined to kill Mike Power to get revenge for his brothers death and his corrupt friend Mal Edwards organises for it to happen at Melbourne Magistrates Court as Power is facing a hearing. The police who escort him suddenly become disinterested and walk away and Merve Temple pulls out a gun and fires shots and then disappears. (just as Brian Kane did to Ray Bennett at Melbourne Magistrates Court in 1979)Naturally Merve Temple is not charged as no one seems to see it !! But in the end Merve Temple had it coming to him just as Brian Kane did and he soon gets his bullet just as Brian Kane did at the Quarry Hotel in Brunswick in 1982.
Melbournes underworld has not changed much since then. Its still the same old rules. What goes around comes around and they all get killed off eventually.
The Great Bookie Robbery is a sensational series, especially considering it was made in 1986. I advise you to watch it if you get a chance as you are sure to enjoy it.
Maybe in a few years they may make a similar series about Melbournes underworld today. I sure hope they do !! Cheers
