i can not believe it have be 25 yrs since i first watch this story on tv . i remember to have be very much touch by it and be lucky to get the vhs tape several year ago . i do not watch it again until just recently . i have be watch it over and over ever since . i must have watch it 10 time in the past 2 wks . the acting be superb and the story be compelling and and i be embarrass to say that i do not appreciate actor bryan brown talent until now . the playful facial expression show in the first half when he give jean the stolen medicine in malaya be such a contrast to his very reserved and nervous body languages show in the second half represent in their first drink together in caines and the touring of the homestead . we have to wait until the wedding reception and especially the final dance scene to see his open display of affection for jean . the same dance eye that first reveal his admiration in malaya . who wouldn not want to be his mrs. boong . while joe change from a cocky and almost big than life figure in the malaya jungle to a somewhat self conscious average joe in his own backyard and jean take the opposite road while her wartime experience seem to have give her new confidence . she waste no time and go after what she want . she take step to take what she could get exactly a joe have tell her to once upon a time . for me and all these transformation help to show this be more than just a love story this be a story about growth and courage and fragility in life . the solicitor noel be both a sweet and sad figure . he too give much to jean he give his last hope for love . at the end and he do what true love require he put her happiness ahead of his own . i happen to like the fight between joe and jean that be not in the book . i think it an appropriate and necessary addition for it help to surface the inner struggle they both have to deal with in order to make their life together possible . now and i be old and maybe i understand life and love and loss a little good . this story touch me even deeply . i be and however and surprise to see b. brown have blue eye in the promo photo show on this site . he most definitely do not in a town like alice . well and 25 yr be a long time .