The Shiralee (1987) User Reviews

Beautiful story, wonderful music

[ksaelagnulraon · 7/10 · 20 December 2001]

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The second adaptation of D'Arcy Niland's novel (after the 1957 British film) about a stubborn but kind-hearted man wandering outback roads looking for work with his doting young daughter at his heels is by far the best. Bryan Brown and Noni Hazlehurst work beautifully together as two veterans of this country's film industry, and Rebecca Smart as Buster is outstanding. Backed with a edgy yet buoyant score, it's difficult to see how anyone could dislike the film. The only quibble I have is with the finish: we've just spent nearly three hours willing Bryan and Noni together, and this is one occasion where a "Hollywood"-style ending would have helped, rather than hindered, the production. A minor quibble, of course; I would give this one 7/10.

Edited Again

[hcxczms · 8/10 · 1 February 2024]

I saw this "movie" again about ten years ago on television. It had been turned into a two part series and had a different ending ! It was not a movie, but bar that I thought the whole lot was fabulous, Bryan Brown of course shines like the gorgeous Aussie actor he is and the rest of cast are wonderful in their short but important roles. Unfortunately, we do not see nearly enough of the wonderful part of South Australia where it was filmed. But like all good Aussie films, you could pick it out pretty quickly - the country homes, sheds, shearing sheds. It is a great pity that the film has been changed, but maybe Netflix did that !

Not a typical film, more of a speaking book, with pictures.

[AlastairMark · 17 March 2004]

A really great film, although often classified as a TV mini series as it was originally made to be shown in two parts on TV. A VHS video was released in Australia only, but was quite heavily cut (maybe to fit it on the tape). More recently, a D.V.D. has been released, also in Australia, which is the full "film" without anything cut out.

It's too long to watch in one sitting, but is great to watch over a couple of evenings. It's full of such genuine, human moments, juxtaposed by often poignant and sometimes witty writing.

It's all about relationships centering around the lonesome Macauley. He has a broken marriage, friends with problems, friends who help, a love interest and all the time Macauley's daughter is trying to keep up with him and his life on the road. `Dad` is too macho to express his feelings, his young daughter realising this, projects her feelings for him onto her teddy, that then acts as a go-between for her and her father. Strangely, this is the closest relationship he has!

This film offers an experience that is as close to that of reading a book as any that I have seen; not in the sense of it's accuracy of portrayal, but in the `whole experience`. If a book could have moving pictures and voices, it would be like this film.

Excellent family viewing

[Katybug2 · 10/10 · 3 December 1999]

My kids & I watched this movie on the Disney channel I believe about 16 or 17 years ago and we still talk about it today. Bryan Brown was excellent and so was the little girl who played his "shiralee". We love Australian movies (at least the ones we have seen) and would love to see this one again and again.

Stepping back in time

[luckyfindnz · 10/10 · 9 September 2021]

I adored this from start to finish. It was like stepping back in time to be a fly-on-the-wall in the lives of Mac, Buster and everyone they cross paths with. Every actor in this was full of character and so natural, real life. It was charming with repeats throughout of Mac and Buster walking country roads, revisiting the same characters with the stories extending each time. The filmmakers did an amazing job with how this was shot. Honestly I shed a tear at remembering these kind of days before the Internet took over but I'm so grateful for it to because it brought me this gem I never would of seen without it!

Great PR for Aussie Blokes

[GeoPierpont · 3/10 · 3 March 2015]

Not sure if they tamed the Mac character in this version, but what a jerk! It reminded me of Brown in "Alfie", selfish, mean, uncaring and brutish. His role in "Cocktail" was not much more subdued as well.

I found the sweet loving Buster to be the big hit of the entire 3 PLUS Hour tour of the Oz Bush. The harpey wife was over dramatic, as well as the Aunt Belle scenes. Has anyone seen Luhrman's "Australia"? I choose that as my reference and in comparison find the reviewed film a rather wasteful celluloid product.

I lived with an Australian for several years, they are the best looking people in the world imho. But this man was a true gent! Although the calls from Pops in Adelaide at 4am were disturbing, all around a great mate. Shout out to Kim!! ;}}

Perhaps the Peter Finch version 30 years prior did justice to the original text and believe Finch to be one of acting's finest. But I have not and the reviews proved either shallow or unhelpful.

I watched this in two settings hoping the lessons learned and character development would ensue. However, only desperation and financial need seemed to drive the main character. "I will never work for a woman" declaration might be understandable in that timeframe, but he did have a young child to feed, what a morally bankrupt low life! The flimsy ending did not compensate for the annoying and slow moving drama.

My initial reason to see this film was the hope of seeing the outback and it's native culture. Perhaps there was ONE aboriginal walk-on that was marginalized in a local Fair scene, but that was it. Given this was actually filmed in Australia, the vast continent's beauty was eclipsed by poor dialogue. Alas, dirt roads that led to nowhere was the height of the tourist trap.

I gingerly recommend for Bryan Brown fans but assume no redeeming qualities provided. At the least, I am aware of what Shiralee means.

Beautiful Movie

[Cate-2 · 19 November 1998]

I first saw the Shiralee on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company) when it came out in 1987. It deeply moved me and has been my favourite movie since then. I have desperately wanted to see it again and found it at the video store, then to my disbelief, found that the entire plot had been edited out to fit it onto video. The Shiralee is about a man named Macaulay who travels around the country and shears sheep, brands cattle and boxes for a living. He has a wife and a daughter, named Buster, who he sends his earnings to. He returns to visit and finds his wife romanticising with the town bookie and his daughter asleep in bed after being fed alcohol. Macaulay is outraged and takes his daughter on the road with him. As they travel Macaulay and Buster both become very attached to each other and go through much together, including illness, separation and the mothers plea to get Buster back, for the mere purpose of hurting Macaulay. The Shiralee is a very emotional movie and Rebecca Smart and Bryan Brown are very convincing actors.

A bush expedition.

[GOATS05 · 16 March 2001]

well worth all efforts made to watch this movie.Cannot wait to purchase this movie,an extremely GOOD movie!! Brian Brown shines in this movie I believe as does his co star Rebecca Smart.

I was named after this movie!

[clovelly · 13 June 2001]

My father loved the relationship between Macaulay and Buster so slightly altered the spelling so I would not be a burden all my life and called me Sherilee! I have the book and have read and re-read it but would love to see the film! How do I get to see it? No one I have asked has ever heard of it before!

Great Movie

[Tori04 · 5 February 2002]

I saw this movie for the first time when I was eight years old. It was on the Disney Channel. It is the best and sweetest movie I have ever seen. I wish now that we had a copy of it. If you can find a copy of it, I would definetly recommend watching it!