NZ On Screen have a great tribute to Kevin Smith who died far to young in 2002.
High-camp melodrama from directors Stewart Main and Peter Wells, set in an imaginary 19th-century town called Hope. ‘Draper of distinction’ Dorothea Brooks is desperate to save her sister Rose from the clutches of opium, sex and the dastardly Fraser. She begs hunky migrant Lawrence Hayes to marry Rose. Lawrence has his eyes on Dorothea however, and he has competition from malevolent politician Poyser (who has made her an attractive offer), as well as Brooks’ sultry lover, Anne Cooper. Sumptuous and ripe, The Piano this definitely ain’t!
I remember seeing this in Auckland and the sense of dirt, mud and grime contrasting with amazing outfits of “red” which just flowed accross the screen were amazing.. and of course the full frontal male nudity didn’t go amiss.