Quigley Down Under (1990)

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writer (WGA):

John Hill (written by)

Release Date:

19 October 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Romance | Western

Tagline:

The West was never this far west...The Emmy Award-winning director of "Lonesome Dove" puts the classic Western back where it was meant to be, on the big screen...in a place it's never been before.

Plot:

Sharpshooter Matt Quigley is hired from Montana by an Australian rancher paying a very high price. But when Quigley arrives Down Under, all is not as it seems.

Plot Keywords:

Sharpshooter | Aborigine | Hero For Hire | Revolver | Long Shot

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Tom Selleck	...	Matthew Quigley
Laura San Giacomo	...	Crazy Cora
Alan Rickman	...	Elliott Marston
Chris Haywood	...	Major Ashley-Pitt
Ron Haddrick	...	Grimmelman
Tony Bonner	...	Dobkin
Jerome Ehlers	...	Coogan
Conor McDermottroe	...	Hobb
Roger Ward	...	Brophy
Ben Mendelsohn	...	O'Flynn
Steve Dodd	...	Kunkurra
Karen Davitt	...	Slattern
Kylie Foster	...	Slattern
William Zappa	...	Reilly
Jonathan Sweet	...	Sergeant Thomas
Jon Ewing	...	Tout
Tim Hughes	...	Miller
David Slingsby	...	Mullion
Danny Adcock	...	Mitchell
Maeliosa Stafford	...	Cavanagh
Ollie Hall	...	Carver
Danny Baldwin	...	Smythe
Jim Willoughby	...	Scotty
Spike Cherrie	...	Hayden
Gerald Egan	...	Whitey
Guy Norris	...	Cliff
Mark Minchinton	...	Paddy
Brian Ellison	...	Oliver
Mark Pennell	...	Bugler
Nosepeg	...	Tribal Elder (as Nosepeg O.B.E.)
Billy Stockman	...	Tribal Elder
Michael Carman	...	Deserter (as Michael Carmen)
Greg Stuart	...	Deserter
Evelyn Krape	...	Mrs. Grimmelman
Eamonn Kelly	...	Klaus Grimmelman (as Eamon Kelly)
Graham Young	...	Bullocky
Allan 'Happy' Bradford	...	Bullocky
Cory Tjapaltjarri	...	Little Bit
Don Bridges	...	Ticket Seller
David Le Page	...	French Canadian
Vic Gordon	...	Elderly Man
Joanie Thomas	...	Elderly Woman
Bruce Knappet	...	Bushman
James Wright	...	Bushman
Ian Lind	...	Startled Man
Fred Walsh	...	Startled Man
Gnarnayarrahe Waitairie	...	Kajubi
Paul Gurrumurruwuy Wunungmurra	...	Aborigine
Mark Yapupu	...	Aborigine
Curtis Dhambili	...	Aborigine
Johnny Djiliwuy II	...	Aborigine
Wilson Wtrrikuwuy	...	Aborigine
Michael Mathangdan	...	Aborigine
Richard Bulupal	...	Aborigine
Sebastian Warrangu	...	Aborigine
Bruce Burrngu Burrngu	...	Aborigine
Trevor Warrarka	...	Aborigine
Glen Warrandalaitj	...	Aborigine
Lindsay Raparr'Awuy	...	Aborigine
Peter Daitjirri	...	Aborigine
Andrew Mangnan	...	Aborigine
Tom Murrnaling	...	Aborigine
Helen Gatja	...	Aborigine
Stephanie Djingiritj	...	Aborigine
Alice Gathayalnga	...	Aborigine
Lyn Wanyganwuy	...	Aborigine
Ruth Balpiyangay	...	Aborigine
Leonie Buminya	...	Aborigine
Dorothy Warnggarrknga	...	Aborigine
Edna Gawuda	...	Aborigine
Rachel Yandhing	...	Aborigine
Sylvia Yalumbuluwuy	...	Aborigine
Wendy Rarrumiya	...	Aborigine
Kirsten Galumay	...	Aborigine
Leonie Ganudha	...	Aborigine
Lisa Duwarringy	...	Aborigine
Rosafly Dungurrang	...	Aborigine
Phyllis Walarrangga	...	Aborigine
Kahleen Nungapan	...	Aborigine
Rosalind Wunungmurra	...	Aborigine
Simeon Rikamawuy	...	Aborigine
Joseph Yamalpurra	...	Aborigine

Directed by
Simon Wincer

Writing credits (WGA)
John Hill		(written by)

Produced by
Stanley O'Toole	....	producer
Alexandra Rose	....	producer
Megan Rose	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Basil Poledouris

Cinematography by
David Eggby		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Peter Burgess

Casting by
Rae Davidson
Michael Lynch

Production Design by
Ross Major

Art Direction by
Ian Gracie

Set Decoration by
Brian Dusting
Brian Edmonds

Makeup Department
Lon Bentley	....	makeup artist: Mr Selleck and Ms. San Giacomo
Doug Glanville	....	assistant makeup artist
Anna Karpinski	....	assistant makeup artist
Tony Meredith	....	hair stylist
Vivienne Rushbrook	....	makeup supervisor
Gregg Staines	....	hair stylist

Production Management
David Eggby	....	production manager (as David Egby)
Robert Graham	....	unit manager: second unit (as Bob Graham)
Christopher Jones	....	unit manager
Stephen Jones	....	unit production manager
Rosemary Marks	....	post-production supervisor
David Munro	....	production supervisor
Pamela H. Vanneck	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Debbie Atkins	....	third assistant director
Adrian Carr	....	second unit director
Bob Donaldson	....	first assistant director (as Robert Donaldson)
Nikki Long	....	second assistant director
Hamish McSporran	....	first assistant director: second unit
Hamish McSporran	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Wayne Allan	....	construction supervisor
Ian Baxter	....	stand-by carpenter
Adam Bromhead	....	set finisher
Alan Brown	....	set finisher
Ian Doig	....	construction manager
Alan Fleming	....	lead carpenter (as Alan Flemming)
Peter Forbes	....	property buyer
Graeme Galloway	....	storyboard artist and glass painter (as Graham Galloway)
Alan Goode	....	construction manager
Murray Gosson	....	assistant property master
Andrea Hood	....	stand-by dresser
Susan Jarvis	....	art department coordinator
Len Judd	....	property buyer
Peta Lawson	....	art department buyer
Gus Lobb	....	set finisher
Glen McDermott	....	draughtsman
Robert Moxham	....	property master
Leroy Plummer	....	assistant properties
Christo Reid	....	scenic artist
Colin Robertson	....	property buyer
Morag Smart	....	assistant stand-by dresser
Peter J. Morris	....	studio carpenter (uncredited)
Jane Murphy	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Walter Sperl	....	location constructor (uncredited)

Sound Department
Lloyd Carrick	....	sound mixer
Tim Chau	....	sound designer
Tim Chau	....	supervising sound editor
Thierry J. Couturier	....	temp sound editor
Peter Fenton	....	sound re-recording mixer
Chris Goldsmith	....	boom operator
Phil Heywood	....	sound re-recording mixer: ATLAB
Jennifer Hortin	....	assistant sound editor
Frank Lipson	....	sound effects editor
Gerry Long	....	foley editor
Glenn Martin	....	sound effects editor
Steve Murphy	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Gavin Myers	....	sound effects editor
Ron Purvis	....	sound re-recording mixer
John Simpson	....	foley editor
Rikki Van Gyen	....	foley artist

Special Effects by
Peter Bird	....	special effects assistant
Rodney Burke	....	special effects technician
Steve Courtley	....	special effects supervisor
Jan Crockett	....	special effects technician
Tom Davies	....	special effects technician
Mont Fieguth	....	special effects technician (as Monty Feiguth)
Paul Gorrie	....	special effects technician
Pauline Grebert	....	special effects technician
John Kingston	....	special effects assistant
Jeff Little	....	special effects technician
John Noseda	....	special effects assistant
Conrad Rothmann	....	special effects supervisor (as Conrad Rothman)
Peter Stubbs	....	special effects technician
Kevin Turner	....	special effects assistant
Bob Wenger	....	special effects technician
Mick Wenger	....	special effects assistant
Matthew Wighton	....	special effects assistant

Visual Effects by
Roger Cowland	....	opticals
Ken Phelan	....	opticals

Stunts
Gary Amos	....	stunts
Brett Anderson	....	stunts
Ric Anderson	....	stunts
Szumai Anderson	....	stunts
Danny Baldwin	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Spike Cherrie	....	stunts (as Spike Cherry)
Murray Chesson	....	stunts
Tom Coltraine	....	stunts
Ken Connley	....	stunts
Wally Dalton	....	stunts
Mitch Deans	....	stunts
Collin Dragsbaek	....	stunts
Brendan Egan	....	horse wrangler (as Brendon Egan)
Gerald Egan	....	stunts
Brian Ellison	....	stunts
Joanne Fraser	....	stunts (as Joanne Frazer)
Lou Horvath	....	stunts
Ray Jones	....	stunts
Colin Lowe	....	stunts
Rocky McDonald	....	stunts
Linda Megier	....	stunts
Paul Murtagh	....	stunts
Guy Norris	....	stunt coordinator
Malcolm Pritchard	....	stunts
Johnny Raaen	....	stunts
Greg Stuart	....	stunts
Lloyd Ventry	....	stunts
Shirley Wallace	....	stunts
Mark Warren	....	stunts
Bill Willoughby	....	stunts
Jim Willoughby	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Ross Berryman	....	director of photography: second unit
Ian Dewhurst	....	gaffer
Derry Field	....	focus puller
Dave Hansen	....	grip
Grahame Litchfield	....	key grip
Ian McAlpine	....	grip
Timothy Morrison	....	electrician (as Tim Morrison)
Harry Panagiotidis	....	Steadicam operator
Barry Peake	....	still photographer
Daryl Pearson	....	electrician
Mark Ramsay	....	grip
Greg Rawson	....	electrician
Trevor Ripper	....	electrician
Adrien Seffrin	....	clapper loader (as Adrien Quinn Seffrin)
David Stevens	....	focus puller: second unit
Peter Stott	....	camera maintenance
Peter White	....	assistant camera
Peter White	....	clapper loader: second unit
Colin Williams	....	gaffer: second unit
Sally Eccleston	....	first assistant camera: second camera (uncredited)
Kyle T. MacDowell	....	electrician (uncredited)
Lex Martin	....	best boy electric (uncredited)
Paul Moyes	....	lighting technician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Dianne Crittenden	....	casting consultant: USA
Jo Warren	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Wayne A. Finkelman	....	wardrobe designer: Mr. Selleck (as Wayne Finkelman)
Wayne A. Finkelman	....	wardrobe designer: Ms. San Giacomo (as Wayne Finkelman)
Lauryn Forder	....	wardrobe assistant
Rosalea Hood	....	wardrobe buyer (as Rosalie Hood)
Ross Major	....	additional costume designer
Julie Middleton	....	wardrobe supervisor
Sheryl Pilkinton	....	costume cutter (as Sheryl Pilkington)
Jean Turnbull	....	assistant costume designer

Editorial Department
Leo Bahas	....	negative cutter
Arthur Cambridge	....	color timer
Adrian Carr	....	supervising editor
James Harvey	....	assistant editor
Cheryl Kroll	....	assistant editor (as Cheryl Ann Kroll)

Music Department
Tim Boyle	....	score mixer
Greig McRitchie	....	orchestrator
Tom Villano	....	music editor
Tom Boyd	....	musician: oboe soloist (uncredited)
Mark McKenzie	....	music arranger (uncredited)
Mark McKenzie	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Greig McRitchie	....	music arranger (uncredited)
James Thatcher	....	musician: French horn (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Lisa Harrison	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Nick Aquilino	....	assistant: Ms. Rose
Kevin Bestt	....	armorer
Craig Bolles	....	aboriginal liaison
Brian Burns	....	armorer
Philippa Campbell	....	unit assistant (as Phil Campbell)
Evanne Chesson	....	animal trainer
Jerry Croft	....	manufacturer: Quigley's saddlery and leather apparel
Craig Dillon	....	unit assistant
Hunt Downs	....	unit publicist: USA
Gerald Egan	....	horse master
Brian Fahey	....	horse wrangler
Tony Forsyth	....	production secretary
Braddon Giles	....	stand-in
Peter Gronow	....	armorer
Cody Harris	....	animal handler
Suzie Howie	....	unit publicist: Australia
Dennis Hulm	....	unit assistant
Jeremy Hutchinson	....	unit assistant
Jenny Kaspar	....	accounting assistant
Angela Kenny	....	accounting assistant
Rick Kornaat	....	unit assistant
Kym Krombholz	....	horse wrangler
Mark Lennard	....	aboriginal liaison
Colin Lowe	....	horse wrangler
Kevin McDonald	....	unit assistant
Ken McLeod	....	safety officer
David Muntz	....	assistant: Mr. Selleck
John Nordlum	....	stand-in
Vincent O'Toole	....	cost controller
Lynn Paetz	....	accountant
Malcolm Pritchard	....	horse wrangler
Barbara Ring	....	production coordinator
Christine Robson	....	art department coordinator: pre-production
Max Scanlon	....	bullock wrangler
Chris Smith	....	caterer
Peter Stott	....	projectionist
Mark Taylor	....	unit assistant (as Mark 'Alice' Taylor)
Derek Thompson	....	unit assistant
Matthew Vandermark	....	aboriginal liaison
Lloyd Ventry	....	horse wrangler
Anthony Wallis	....	aboriginal liaison
Neidra Watson	....	stable girl
Christine Wertheim	....	stand-in
Judy Whitehead	....	continuity (as Judith Whitehead)
Bill Willoughby	....	horse wrangler
Jim Willoughby	....	horse wrangler
Murray Chesson	....	animal handler (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Pathé Entertainment

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1990) (USA) (theatrical)
• Ascot Filmverleih (1991) (Germany) (theatrical)
• MGM/UA France (1991) (France) (theatrical)
• Cannon/VMP (1991) (Germany) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Video Medien Pool (VMP) GmbH (1991) (Germany) (VHS)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1993) (USA) (TV)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (included in double bill with "Rob Roy')
• América Vídeo (199?) (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Berensen Tailors  military uniforms
• Columbia Studios  music recorded at
• Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory  thanks
• Film Australia  sound
• Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum  thanks
• Horizon Films  post-production facilities
• Intrada  score album released by
• Northern Territory Tourism Commission  thanks
• Optical & Graphics  end titles
• Panavision Australia  camera and lenses
• Producers' Sound Services  re-recording studios
• Prometheus Records  score album released by (extended edition)
• Ross River Homestead  thanks
• Samuelson's Camera Equipment  camera equipment provided by
• Seiniger Advertising  main titles
• Shiloh Rifle Manufacturing  thanks
• South Australian Film Corporation, The  sound post-production (Post-sync effects)
• The Joinery  post-production facilities
• Warner Roadshow Studios  production services

Also Known As:

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | France:U | Portugal:M/12 | Australia:M | Sweden:15 | USA:PG-13 (MPAA No. 30369) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Company:

Pathé Entertainment

Trivia:

The infamous gun that is used by the main character Matthew Quigley is a replica model 1874 Sharps Buffalo Rifle.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the distant shot of Quigley tying his bandana around his wounded leg, the sun is just about to set behind a hill. Just before and after that shot, the shadow of his hat falling on his face and shoulders shows that the sun is high overhead.

Quotes:

[Lost in the Outback]
Matthew Quigley:I don't know where we're goin', but there's no sense bein' late.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Red Zone Cuba (#7.19)" (1994)

An overlooked gem

This movie isn't the best Western ever made, but it's a solid creative effort that brings out many of that genre's most appealing aspects. It has romance, gunplay, wonderful scenery, and, most importantly, a solid hero and a solid villain. Westerns are, by nature, a morality tale. There's a Good Guy and a Bad Guy, and in the end, the hero prevails through a combination of courage, fair play, and ingenuity. And that's exactly what happens here.

The three principal characters are Quigley, an American sharpshooter hired by an Australian rancher, Marsden, and Crazy Cora, a woman shipped off to Australia by her ex-husband after accidentally suffocating her baby to keep him quiet while hiding from raiding Comanches. Quigley (Tom Selleck) is an expert long range marksman who has been recruited ostensibly to shoot dingoes, but, as he finds out after his first night with Mr. Marsden (Alan Rickman), his real targets are to be local Aboriginies. This leads to a rather violent falling out between the two men, which sets up the basic conflict in the movie. Marsden wants Quigley dead, and has numerous ranchhands to get the job done. Quigley has the shooting skills that allow him to pick off Marden's men pretty much at will. An uncredited "star" of the film is Quigley's Sharp's .45 calibre rifle, a gun so accurate it can kill a man from nearly a mile away.

Anyway, the movie proceeds in a more or less conventional fashion. After a big fistfight at Marsden's ranchhouse, Quigley and Cora are left for dead in the Australian outback. They are rescued by a band of Aboriginies, then quickly return the favor by picking off Marsden's men as they try to massacre more Aboriginies. Along the way, Quigley slowly falls for Cora. She may be nuts, but she's also charming, resourceful, brave, and beautiful.

In the end, Marsden gets what he deserves. Cora regains her sanity. And Quigley gets both the villain and the girl. Like I said, it's a Western in the classic tradition - well told and with great visuals.

8/10