Written by famed Australian author Ruth Park, Playing Beatie Bow (originally released in 1980) tells the story of a young woman named Abigal who is incredibly distraught over her parents' separation. After an incident on the playground, Abigal suddenly goes 100 years back in time, where she gets involved with an Australian shopkeeper's family. One day, she encounters a strange, young child called Beatie Bow, who helps her get by in the 1800s and helps Abigal come of age.
At release, Playing Beatie Bow received very positive reviews. Writes one reviewer: "The real key to this [story line] is the coming-of-age of Abigail. In building up the wall to protect herself, she's really shielded herself from other people around her and the things which hurt or affect them. Spending time away from her own problems helps open her eyes up to other people – and the very real things which shape their stories."
The book was later adapted into a film of the same name in 1986 directed by Donald Crombie and starring Imogen Annesley, Peter Phelps and Mouche Phillips. It was a box office bomb but was reasonably popular on home video.
