| Producer: | Christopher Muir |
| Based On: | play by Leslie Thomas |
| Starring: | Elspeth Ballantyne, Dennis Miller |
| Company: | Australian Broadcasting Commission |
| Network: | ABC |
| Released: | (Melbourne) |
| Released2: | (Sydney)[1] |
| Runtime: | 60 mins[2] |
| Country: | Australia |
| Language: | English |
A Piece of Ribbon is a 1963 Australian television play filmed. It was based on an English TV play by Leslie Thomas that had already been performed by the BBC.[3] [4]
It was filmed in Melbourne and was directed by Christopher Muir.[5] Beach scenes were shot in Beaumaris, Victoria.[6]
Although based on a British script it is the only Australian made television drama set during the Malayan Emergency.[7]
During the Malayan Emergency, British soldiers are having a break from jungle patrol at a Malay Beach Club House. Several of them are attracted to a Eurasian girl, Marianna de Souza, who is there to meet her boyfriend Corporal Cutliffe. He arranges to meet Marianna later at a beach.
Marianna is found murdered. Investigations into her death are cut short when the company is sent out on patrol under Sergeant Wiley.
There was a cast of 25 including five models from the Mannequin and Models Guild. The producers shot scenes for the beach at Beaumauris. Heather Leembruggen was from Sri Lanka.[8] The set was designed by Kevin Bartlett.[9]
The Bulletin said the cast, "with one minor exception", were believable as British soldiers.
Filminkg called it "a very good production."[10]