Tolpuddle: A Novel of Heroism
Logline
Six agricultural workers from Tolpuddle UK sent to Australia in 1833 as 'slaves' for forming a trade union. Fight to return to UK as free men and win.
Genre
Drama,Adventure
Short Summary
Six agricultural labourers from Tolpuddle, UK, (The 'Martyrs') set up trade union to fight for better pay and conditions. Landlords have them shipped to Australia as prisoners where they are harshly treated. Trade Union people in UK fight for them to be released and after three years this happened.
Tolpuddle 'Martyrs' returned to UK at government expense, received as heroes but later move to Canada following trouble from English neighbours.
Setting
1) Topuddle village, south UK (1833), 2) Dorchester courtroom, UK and local prison, 3) prison ship voyage to Australia, 4) Australian 'Outback' (various places), 5) Prison in Sydney, Australia, 6) different (not prison) ship back to UK, (late 1830s) 7) Public recognition in London theatre for their fight for freedom, 8) rural Canada (late 1830s)
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Quest
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending, Meaningful Message
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: George Loveless
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Aspiring, Blunt, Complex, Confident, Decisive,Empathetic,Heroic,Leader,Visionary,Modest,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: John Standish & 4 supporting 'Martyrs'
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Aspiring, Complex, Confident,Empathetic,Faithful,Heroic,Visionary,Underdog,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: James Brine
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Aggressive, Blunt, Confident, Religious,Engaging,Heroic,Masculine,Modest,Outspoken,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: James Hammett
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Blunt, Complex, Confident, Aggressive
Development Pitch
When you read TOLPUDDLE (and hopefully watch as a film in the future) you can't help but be on the six 'Martyrs' side as they are railroaded by the dominant and uncaring English aristocratic gentry of the 1830s. They are imprisoned and transported to Australia for standing up for their rights and trying to improve the lot of the common agricultural labourer of the time. You hope that despite the cruel conditions that are dished out to them: imprisonment in jails and prison hulks; tough six month transportation journey from England to Australia;working in road-gangs and tough farming as 'slaves' in Australia, that they will succeed in escaping their cruel fate to have a normal life. You feel that they deserve to win and beat the Establishment which they eventually do. As the book/film comes to an end, you have a good feeling that they have taken everything that has been thrown at them and now control their destinies and survived it to lead a good life with their wives and families.