He fought Napoleon's army and survived. He was sent to the gallows and
escaped the noose. Now he is in chains and on his way to the other side
of the world. What happens next will become one of the most remarkable
survival stories in history. The 19th century has just begun. The world
is at war. England, ruled by a mad king, is exiling thousands of
criminals to an old land that has become its newest dumping ground. One
of those prisoners is William Buckley, barely 21, a former soldier
sentenced to life for stealing two small pieces of cloth. He's a giant
for his times. But it's not just his towering frame that sets him apart.
It's his desire for freedom that will make his story so unique - even in
an era famous for outrageous acts of bravery and heroism. On a moonlit
night Buckley escapes and disappears into the Australian bush.
Discovered and adopted by an aboriginal tribe who regard him as a ghost,
he is initiated into their rich and complex culture. Given up for dead
by his white captors, he will not be seen again for more than 30 years
until he emerges one day...carrying a spear, dressed in animal skins and
having forgotten the English language. Buckley's Chance is a profound
journey into a turning point in history where cultures clash, bitter
rivals go to war and the body count mounts. It's also the story of a man
who refuses to be held down. A man prepared to defy all odds and take a
chance. Buckley's chance.
