The Sea prisoners = Hai yue

Based on the novel of the same name, this film may hit quite close to home for Australian Chinese, whose ancestors may have been among those sold into bondage against their will as miners in the gold rush days. Despite the best efforts of the oppressed poor to rebel, the aristocratic Tang family have colluded yet again with foreign devils to sell its people like cattle. But after being forced aboard a vessel bound for Sydney, the soon-to-be slaves finally recognise they must put aside their differences and work together to liberate themselves from foreign oppression.