The Earthling (1980)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Peter Collinson

Writer:

Lanny Cotler (written by)

Release Date:

24 July 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Plot:

Patrick Foley has been on the move all his live. Tired of drifting, he wants to spend his last days in an isolated Australian valley where he grew up...

Plot Keywords:

Australia | Young Boy | Independent Film

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

William Holden	...	Patrick Foley
Rick Schroder	...	Shawn Daley (as Ricky Schroder)
Jack Thompson	...	Ross Daley
Olivia Hamnett	...	Bettina Daley
Alwyn Kurts	...	Christian Neilson
Pat Evison	...	Meg Neilson
Redmond Phillips	...	Bobby Burns
Ray Barrett	...	Parnell
Tony Barry	...	Red
Allan Penney	...	Harlan
Willie Fennell	...	R.C
Walter Pym	...	Uncle
Cul Cullen	...	Dawson
Dawn Schroder	...	Dalton
Maggie Blinco	...	Jessica

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Arkoff International

Quotes:

[first lines]
Australian Customs Agent: Next please. Now what's the purpose of your visit?
Patrick Foley: Uh - passing through.

Soundtrack:

He'll Never Fill My Shoes

A Prophetic Ending for Holden

While this wasn't William Holden's last film (S.O.B) was, it makes for a terrific and appropriate swan song. I first saw this movie in theaters as a college student and it really moved me. Schroder's performance is great but William Holden's show the skills of a consumate master. It's a film I now own and will share with my children someday when they can understand it. And the end title music is a keeper. It's a shame Maureen McGovern never put it on a CD.