It is Christmas 1958 and in the far west coast town of Ceduna, police are searching for a killer. A young girl, just nine years of age has been raped and brutally murdered. It's not long before they have a suspect in custody and a confession admitting to the rape and killing. Rupert Maxwell Stuart [David Ngoombujarra], an illiterate half caste aboriginal, formerly of Alice Springs has been charged in relation to the heinous crime. David O'Sullivan [Robert Carlyle], a young lawyer, working in a partnership with Helen Devaney [Kerry Fox] draws the short straw. It's a 'legal aid' case, the last thing he needs. What starts out as a murder trial will soon involve the Government of the day, the High Court, the Privy Council and a young newspaper owner named Rupert Murdoch. The case will lead to a Royal Commission and seven stays of execution for the young half caste Max Stuart, who claims he is innocent and that his confession was beaten out of him by corrupt Police Officers working on the case. Against huge odds O'Sullivan battles to keep Stuart from the gallows. Help comes from an unexpected quarter when newspaper owner Rupert Murdoch takes up the cause. Can they succeed?
https://aboutactorcharlesdance.blogspot.com/
there was a charity premiere of the movie, in July 2004