Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story (2013)

Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story (a miniseries in two parts) is a historical and biographical drama about the rivalry and competition between two media giants – one owned by the Packer family and the other owned by Rupert Murdoch – during a period of fifteen years (1960-1975). It was shown on Australian television (Channel 9) and released on DVD in 2013. Here is some basic information about it:

** Produced by John Edward & Jodi Matterson

** Directed by Geoff Bennett & David Caesar

** Written by Samantha “Sam” Winston & David Caesar

** Subtitles: English (turn on/turn off)

** Audio description: English (turn on/turn off)

** Run time: 88 + 89 minutes = 177 minutes

** Bonus material: “Behind the Story” – 9 minutes

The cast includes the following:

** Lachy Hulme as Frank Packer (1906-1974) – “Packer senior”

** Heather Mitchell as Gretel Packer – Frank’s first wife (married 1934-1960)

** Anne Looby as Florence Packer (1915-2012) – Frank’s second wife (married 1964-1974)

** Alexander England as Clyde Packer (1935-2001) – Frank’s older son

** Luke Ford as Kerry Packer (1937-2005) – Frank’s younger son – “Packer junior”

** Patrick Brammell as Rupert Murdoch (born 1931)

** Mirrah Foulkes as Patricia Murdoch – Rupert’s first wife (married 1956-1967)

** Maeve Dermody as Anna Murdoch (born 1944) – Rupert’s second wife (married 1967-1999)

** Lewis Fitz-Gerald as Alan "The Red Fox" Reid (1914-1987) – journalist

As stated above, there are two parts:

** Part one covers the years 1960-1967

** Part two covers the years 1967-1975

Since this drama is based on a true story, the basic facts are part of the public record. If you want more information, you can simply google the names of the main characters.

While this drama is based on a true story, it is not a documentary film. It is a dramatized version of events. Not everything happened exactly as shown in this drama. But the basic story-line is true.

When the drama was shown on Australian television, the number of viewers was not as high as the producers had hoped. The audience share was good, but not great. I think I know the reason why. The problem was not the drama. There is nothing wrong with Power Games. The problem was the timing. The timing was wrong. By 2013, Australian television viewers had been offered several programs about the media giants of their country:

** 2011 – Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo

** 2012 – Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War

** 2013 – Paper Giants: Magazine Wars

When Power Games was broadcast in 2013, it was simply too much about the same topic within a short period of time. The producers should have delayed the broadcast of this movie until 2014. Had they done that, I am quite sure, the result would have been much better.

What do reviewers say about it? On IMDb it has a rating of 79 per cent, which corresponds to (almost) four stars on Amazon. If you ask me, this average rating is too low. Why?

The script is well-written and the actors play their roles well. The story is captivating, dramatic and emotional. In addition, it is based on a true story. I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars.

PS # 1. The following article is available online: Doug Anderson, “Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story – TV review,” The Guardian, 8 September 2013.

PS # 2. In part 2, there is a reference to the mysterious kidnapping of Muriel McKay, which took place in London in December 1969. Muriel was kidnapped by mistake: the kidnappers thought she was Rupert Murdoch’s wife, because she was riding in his car. The kidnappers were two men from Trinidad: Arthur Hosein and his brother Niza Modeen Hosein, who were both convicted of the crime, even though the body was never found. For more information, see The Murder of Muriel McKay by Norman Lucas (1971).

*****