The Survivor is a 1972 Australian television film based on the novel Thomas Keneally of the same name.

It was his first screenplay and he enjoyed the experience so much he wrote other scripts for the ABC such as Essington and Behind the Legend.

Director Alan Burke says Charles Russell was the main executive on it - he is credited as script editor although that does not give a guide as to the extent of his contribution.

He later said "that was a terrible book and a dreadful script" but claims Charles Russell improved it with some script editing although he says Russell "wasn't very happy with it.

Maybe it was partly the adaptation that Tom had said he tried the various styles, maybe that had something to do with the fact they didn't quite marry.