Stewart said one of the play's themes was "the conflict between the over-civilised man and the outlaw and the necessity for a balance between the two attitudes to life.
Part of the spirit that was in the celebrated bushranger is still in the Australian character - the deep desire for freedom and impatience with authority.
"[3] In July 1959 it was announced the production would be filmed at ABC's Melbourne studios at Ripponlea, with the scene of Kelly's capture shot on location at Glenrowan.
[5] Les Hendy was cameraman, Harold Fletcher did props, Brian Faull was location manager and Audrey Rogers script assistant.
He complained several important speeches were removed and "the play lost its proper perspective" and that William Sterling's direction, "after a promising beginning, failed to bring off a number of all too tricky camera effects.