Sail back to Colonial Australia and visit young Elisa Fraser (Susannah York) as she learns how to live among the local aboriginals while shipwrecked on the Great Barrier Reef, while simultaneously coping with jealous husband (Noel Ferrier) and randy seducer Rory McBride (John Castle).

Discover how young Elisa accidentally seduces willing convict David Bracefell (John Waters), while inadvertently saving him from the sodomistic clutches of Prison Governor Fyans (Trevor Howard).

And discover how, almost 30 years after it was made, Tim Burstall's almost-vaudeville direction and David Williamson's witty script make Eliza Fraser still a pleasurable romp, even though it falls way short of being a true Australian cinema classic. It's moved past its Use-By date, but is still edible.

The casting helps a lot. Trevor Howard is in great form as the vile English poof Captain Fyans, and although you need to see Tom Jones to really appreciate just how fine is Susannah York, she is still mighty delectable here.

John Waters and John Castle are well-matched as Eliza's feuding suitors, but one of the key delights of this film is the work of Noel Ferrier, who combines arrogant pomposity and sheer stupidity in a stand-out performance which makes us miss this fine actor all the more.

The transfer is good enough to provide enjoyable viewing, but falls short of what we would expect from today's DVDs. Colours are erratic and there are plenty of indications of print wear -- though nothing too destructive or distractive.

Sound is presented in either a 5.1 or two-channel mix. There seems little difference, and the 5.1 would have been reprocessed from a two-channel original. But dialogue is clear and there is no distortion or harshness present.

The disc has a good clutch of extra features, beginning with a 16-minute interview with playwright David Williamson, assistant director Dan Burstall, John Waters and other participants. Good reminiscences here; a worthwhile extra feature.

There's a biography and filmography of director Tim Burstall, and filmographies of 11 cast members. The obligatory (and as boring as usual) Photo Gallery is included, along with an anamorphic Preview of the main feature, and a teaser-trailer for Rain.

Finally, there's a short bonus movie from 1996, The Drip, included for no apparent reason, except to get some student work to a wider audience. It's mildly comic.