The River Kings

Storyline

The River Kings is an Australian four-part mini-series set on the Murray River in the 1920s. In the great Australian tradition of "All The Rivers Run" and based on Max Fatchen's novels "The River Kings" and "Conquest of the River", this show captures the perilous life along South Australia's Murray River and many adventures aboard the paddleboat steamer 'Lazy Jane' during the 1920s. With his father absent and life on the land an interminable struggle, sixteen year-old Shawn Hofner is forced to leave behind farm life and find work to support his family. The one sure thing that offers up hope is the Murray River and Shawn takes up a job as a deck-hand on a reliable steamboat run by well-seasoned Captain Elijah. Although this a childhood dream, the unglamorous reality of a nomadic way of life is a rude awakening to this country boy. Shawn must summon all his strength and guile just to survive each day. It is a tough existence for a naive boy on the rapid flowing river, with danger and discovery around every bend. During Shawn's many trips up and down the river he is destined to experience first-hand the tough and unforgiving temperament of nature, navigating life's great adventure and the many tragedies and triumphs that come floating his way. Young Shawn will witness tragedy and disaster, suffer betrayal and despair and discover loyalty and romance during his travels, all of which transform the boy into a man. Set against a stunning river landscape that sweeps through towering cliffs and vast tracts of red gums and willows, this is a gritty story with extremely human characters and unique settings which will appeal universally to all ages.