27A

27A is a 1974 Australian drama film directed by Esben Storm. At the AFI Awards it won in the Best Actor (Robert McDarra) and Best Fiction (Haydn Keenan) categories. Plot Bill McDonald is a middle aged alcoholic who is sentenced to six weeks in prison for a minor offence. He volunteers for psychiatric treatment and is committed to a hospital for the criminally insane supposedly only for the duration of his prison sentence. However under section 27A of Queensland's Mental Health Act he can be held there until hospital authorities declare him eligible for release. Bill clashes with a nurse, Cornish, and is detained in the hospital because of his attitude. He attempts three times to escape. Eventually he is released after a journalist publicises his case. Cast Robert McDarra as Bill Bill Hunter as Cornish Graham Corry as Peter Newman Richard Moir as Richard James Kemp as Slats Kris Olsen as Gloria Brian Doyle as Lynch Richard Creaser as Jeremy Michael Norton as Mark Haydn Keenan as Jeffrey Gary McFeeter as Samuel Tom Farley as Vic Jim Doherty as suicide Peter Gailey as co-escapee Karl Florsheim as German patient Race Gailey as office boy Bob Maza as Darkie's mate Zac Martin as Ernie Kevin Healey as old acquaintance Betty Dyson as alcoholic Beth Brookes as singer Brett Maxwell as young boy in warehouse Pauline Fozall as pianist Robert Ewing as public servant Max Osbiston as Frederick Parsons