AllMovie

In this interesting and well-developed teen adventure movie by Gary Conway, based on a novel by Colin Thiele, Ernie (Paul Smith) and a few of his friends in an opal-mining town in Australia take on the challenge of finding about $300,000 (Australian) in stolen opals. Sophie (Linda Hartley) joins up with the group and chases mercilessly after Ernie, who seems a willing target underneath it all, and Willie (Andrew Gaston) often has his hands full throwing back racist barbs with different degrees of intensity, depending on whether his "detractors" are friends or enemies. Surrounded by his friends and the adventure of discovering the stolen opals, Ernie's real drama lies in trying to work out a failing relationship with a father who has not known a day of responsibility in his life.