The Man from Snowy River (1982)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson (poem)
Cul Cullen (script)

Release Date:

5 November 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

Tagline:

The story of a boy suddenly alone in the world. The men who challenge him. And the girl who helps him become a man.

Plot:

Jim Craig has lived his first 18 years in the mountains of Australia on his father's farm. The death...

Plot Keywords:

Twin | Australia | Stallion | Brumby | Wild Horse

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. July 23	2:45 PM	AMC
Fri. July 24	1:30 AM	AMC

Cast

Tom Burlinson	...	Jim Craig
Terence Donovan	...	Henry Craig
Kirk Douglas	...	Harrison / Spur
Tommy Dysart	...	Mountain Man
Bruce Kerr	...	Man in Street
David Bradshaw	...	Banjo Paterson
Sigrid Thornton	...	Jessica Harrison
Jack Thompson	...	Clancy
Tony Bonner	...	Kane
June Jago	...	Mrs. Bailey
Chris Haywood	...	Curly
Kristopher Steele	...	Moss
Gus Mercurio	...	Frew
Howard Eynon	...	Short Man
Lorraine Bayly	...	Rosemary Hume

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:PG | New Zealand:PG | Australia:PG | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | West Germany:6 | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Central Victoria, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Cambridge Productions

Trivia:

The Bible passage being read by candle light begins at Genesis 30:27. (KJV) The passage goes on to speak about cattle and sheep and goats.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: After Jim falls off the "thousand-pound" colt, he looks up and sees the herd of brumbies heading straight for him. At the left of the screen, you can clearly see a rider herding the horses.

Quotes:

Frew: [rising in bed with his lever action rifle as Curly advances on Jim with a broken bottle] Curly - lose the bottle!
Frew: [cocks the lever action rifle as Curly stops and stares] I did it before... and so help me, I'll do it again.
[Curly drops the bottle]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "On Location with 'Robbery Under Arms'" (1985)

Truly, An Aussie Delight

This is probably the last truly great western. It was first released in the early 1980s, and I have yet to see a more satisfying western that came afterwards. It is a crowd-pleaser, but not entirely devoid of meaningful issues. The movie tells the story of a young lad eager to prove his worth in the midst of Australia's wilderness. Director Miller (not to be confused with the director of the Mad Max films), captures the essence of what makes this genre so appealing to me. It is operatic when it needs to be, never afraid of putting western myths on a pedestal, where I think they belong. It is also intimate, and deeply touching, giving those cherished myths faces that we can identify with. Someone like Sergio Leone loved the genre but he felt there was something inherently dubious about it. Here Miller and his team go all the way, celebrating even the most questionable western myths; it is a gutsy approach. The whole thing is based on an epic poem, which account for the film's exaltation of a by gone era. In actuality, the film has a little bit of everything. There is humor, great action sequences, high drama, and plenty of romance. Kirk Douglas seems to be having a blast playing two roles. Newcomers Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton are a very appealing (and convincing) couple. Beautifully shot on location, with plenty of great images energized by Bruce Rowland's superb score. If you are looking for a great family film, here is one great choice.