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Quigley Down Under More at IMDbPro »
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| Index | 92 reviews in total |
63 out of 79 people found the following review useful:
An overlooked gem, 25 March 2002
Author:
ericjg623 from Twin Cities
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
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
54 out of 67 people found the following review useful:
You sure look pretty in the morning sun., 31 October 2001
Author:
C.K. Dexter Haven from BC
Underseen western which , after a few theatrical misfires (though I also
enjoyed him in High Road to China), gave Tom Selleck a role which suited him
perfectly. A role which, as a previous comment stated, John Wayne would
have been right at home in. It can be argued that this is just a
politically correct revisionist western wherein the American witnesses
injustices on aborginals in a foreign land and is outraged to action despite
the utter mistreatment of native Indians during this same period back home.
Some may say it is so, but I prefer to think of Quigley as a man who came to
Australia BECAUSE of the injustices he's known back home and is looking
perhaps for something better. Selleck represents, as did John Wayne, the
decent and noble side of America, and there is no doubt that this is a man
given to stand up and do the right thing no matter where he is, Wyoming or
Fremantle.
This aside, Quigley succeeds most as a light romance amidst the traditional
shoot em up scenario. In fact, the love story is what drives it along most
and provides it's most special moments. During a heartfelt speech beside
the campfire, Cora relates how heartbreaking it was for her to have her
Husband Roy, who blamed her for the death of their child, put her on a ship
to Australia and walk away from her life not looking back. This is what
matters to her most, as it matters to Quigley that she call him by his right
name or he won't share his bed. When presented with their first parting,
Quigley leaves Cora and the Aborigine baby in the cave and though assuring
her he will return for her he rides away, without stopping to look
back.
This is mere oversight on his part and it leads to the most moving scene in
the film, one which never fails to bring a tear to my eye - when they are
again about to be parted she asks him "I'll never see you again, Will I".
He can't say because of what's ahead for him, but he puts his hand on her
cheek and says "You sure look pretty in the morning sun". As he mounts his
horse and rides off Cora watches after him wondering, as we are wondering,
if he'll stop and look back. And then he does. It's one of the most
thoughtful and emotionally fleeting moments in movie history. Too bad it
hasn't been seen and appreciated by more people.
The musical score, by Basil Poledouris, is also a treat and it hits all the
right notes. His score for Conan the Barbarian is an acknowledged classic
but here I think he goes a step better. It truly is a nice piece of music
to hear amid the action and quieter moments.
Quigley is a very good modern day western. It won't fail to entertain and
it must surely be a film which both men and women can enjoy
together.
If they made more of these kinds of movies I definitely wouldn't
complain.
58 out of 78 people found the following review useful:
Can't recommend it too highly., 21 December 2003
Author:
rayevans from United States
I've been watching Westerns for some 60 years and Quigley Down Under rates
in my top 5 along with Unforgiven, The Wild Bunch, The Outlaw Jose Wales
and
Once Upon a Time in the West. I've watched it 6 times and haven't tired of
it yet. The musical score is superb, great story line and beautiful
cinematography. Excellent performances by Selleck, Giacomo and
Rickman.
Insofar as Quigley's marksmanship goes, there is nothing in the movie
rifle
shots that are not realistic as far as I'm concerned. During the Civil
War,
a Whitworth rifle with a telescopic sight had an effective range of 1800
yards and the exploits of Truman "California Joe" Head with his Sharps
were
lengendary in his own time. Even the Civil War Enfield was fairly accurate
to 1100 yards.
Given a Sharps with a custom load to match the rifle, it's a matter of
familiarity, eyesight (preferably 20/10 or better), practice and reading
the
wind, the latter of which was shown prior to Quigley's demonstration to
Marston and is by far the biggest variable in long range rifle
shots.
In short, anyone who is an excellent rifle or pistol shot is unbelievable.
Check out Bob Munden's .45 Colt demonstrations. Blink and you've missed
some
of single or double shot feats. Literally!
That's not to say that Quigley is not a mythical character in the movie
but
no more so than Wild Bill Hickcok, Wyatt Earp or Bat Masterson came to be,
usually for only one incident in their lives.
This is a 5 star Western if there ever was one. Can't recommend it too
highly.
31 out of 33 people found the following review useful:
It's Tom Selleck at his leading-man finest…, 19 November 2007
Author:
ironside (robertfrangie@hotmail.com) from Mexico
Matthew Quigley, a stoic rifleman arrives in Australia in the 1860s a
world far away from his home Wyoming… He is answering an ad from a
British landowner who will use his talents as an expert marksman…
But things don't go according to plan and, at supper, and after we hear
these words, "Nobody knocks me out of my own house," Elliott Marston
becomes his arch enemy…
Quigley's arrival sets the tone of the motion picture perfectly, coming
into a fight with an evil plantation owner before he has even set foot
on Australian soil where some genuinely funny moments happened
especially when he met Crazy Cora right off the ship…
After a showy display of his talents (continuously hitting a bucket at
about a thousand yards) Quigley discovers to his horror that he has
been hired for sniping Aborigines encouraged by the local authorities…
Tom Selleck is excellent in the role of a cowboy, exuding natural
charm, cool spirit and dignity… He perfectly suited to the role of the
finest sharp shooter hero with a moral… There is a moment when he
teaches local Aborigines a secret, and it hits the correct note...
Alan Rickman is perfect as Marston, the arrogant, clever bad baron who
thinks himself the fastest six-gun…
Laura San Giacomo believes Quigley to be a man she once loved and whose
name is Roy… She has her own tragic past as obviously her romance
between Quigley and herself… San Giacomo proves to be a lovable
heroine…
Director Simon Wincer creates outstanding scenery with the desolate
Australian landscapes...
38 out of 53 people found the following review useful:
A classic Western that is back on the saddle again., 9 March 1999
Author:
Jason C. Atwood from Suffolk, Virginia
Those who haven't grown up with Wayne or Eastwood should take a fair glance at QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER, an excellent recreation of vintage cowboy movies with brilliant qualities that make a traditional standard among others. With modern styling, this will grow on you if Westerns haven't been your brand. It deserves high merits for top-notch costuming, make-up, and scenery that gets all dusty and brown. Acting is extremely well done, considering the late stage it's in. "Crazy Cora" is a cheerful rendition to lady-pokes everywhere in Western cinema, and one who keeps calling "Roy" all the time, plus Tom Selleck shows us what a true cowboy should be like. The orchestrated music will stick to your mind in years to come. One familiar old problem that Westerns would normally have is being more like the rest of them, but then again, this film provides testimony that there is great need of reviving the Western genre, which would still be hard to appease today. Highly recommended!
29 out of 38 people found the following review useful:
Great Movie!, 22 July 2002
Author:
LebowskiT1000 from Escondido, California, USA
I'm not really sure if this falls in the "Western" genre, but I think it's
pretty much the closest genre it would fit into. I've never really been
into westerns, but there is something about this one. It's a really good
movie!
Tom Selleck does a great job as Matthew Quigley. There really isn't enough
I can say about Alan Rickman! He always plays the perfect antagonist!
Maybe it's his voice, maybe it's the way he acts, I'm not sure, but all I
know is that he is a great actor! Laura San Giacomo does a good job in the
film too. Her character was a very strange one put in the film, but there
is a reason for her strangeness. She does a fine job in the film
too.
The story in this film is really quite simple and nothing terribly
complicated, but it's really good and has a good moral to it. If you're the
type of person that likes Westerns, then I would hope you would like this
one too. Not only is it a western, but it's got a good amount of comedy in
it too. Anyhow, I would definitely recommend seeing this film if you
haven't already. I hope that you like the film as much as I do. Thanks for
reading,
-Chris
29 out of 38 people found the following review useful:
One of the best westerns of modern times, 14 May 2000
Author:
smokehill from Spotsylvania, Virginia
Unlike most "modern" westerns, this one is unburdened by the usual Hollywood flaws: overproduction, overacting and a massive cast of big names demanding their share of "face time." Selleck & San Giacomo do a masterful job of creating honest, three-dimensional characters facing a truly evil antagonist -- a part played with fiendish perfection by the superb Alan Rickman. Even the minor characters on both sides are well-cast and well-acted. Two other "stars" of this exceptionally fine film are Quigley's Sharps rifle and the musical score. The unusual, catchy theme will stick in your mind, and some of the dialogue will pass into screen legend, such as Quigley's remark about the Colt revolvers: "I said I didn't have much use for them. I never said I didn't know how to use one." To be sure, the writers take a few necessary liberties with the plot to make everything work, as in any movie, but it does work well. My wife, who is a gun enthusiast but not a big fan of westerns, has watched "Quigley" 7 or 8 times and never tires of it. There are a few films that will bear watching that often: The Usual Suspects, All About Eve, High Noon, Casablanca -- to name a few. Quigley is one of these.
34 out of 49 people found the following review useful:
A Memorable Western, Eh Mate?, 14 April 2006
Author:
ccthemovieman-1 from United States
This is a bit a twist: a western in which the setting is Australia, not
the United States. Yet, the film features two American characters,
played by Tom Selleck and Laura San Giacomo. It's a simple, well-done
revenge story with a nice slow-developing romance as the subplot.
Meanhile, Alan Rickman, who was good at this sort of thing, plays the
hated, despicable villain.
The movie is appealing because it has a good mixture of action (and
that is mixed, too, not just the same kind of fistfights or gun
battles), romance, nice scenery and a little comedy thrown in. There's
also a little PC thrown in as the good guys help out the downtrodden
Aborigines, victims of racism by Rickman and his henchmen.
Warning: this a rough film in parts with a couple of harrowing scenes,
such as people being pushed off cliffs, Selleck brutally beaten several
times and wild vicious dingoes threatening San Giacamo and a little
baby, but the action never goes on too long.
All in all, I found it one of the more memorable westerns I've watched.
If for nothing else, the awesome sound of Selleck's Sharp Calibre .44
rifle makes this film hard to forget.
26 out of 36 people found the following review useful:
Wonderful Western and message film all in one., 24 July 2003
Author:
dunsuls from NYC USA
I was weaned on westerns and so after a while you get numb by the vast amount of bad ones done over the years.I always thought a `twist'gives a western something more,a `hook'if you will.This IS such a flick.It is also fair to say I am NOT a huge Tom Selleck fan.That being said I think this has become one of my top 5 favorite westerns ever and top 10 movies of all time.The hook is the Outback and this twist is right on target.The Aborigine are the Indians and we have the evil land owner in Alan Rickman and the `Lady'in Laura San Giacomo.In Lieu of the Mexican Army we have the English.A interesting Rifle to rival a artillery piece or Gattling gun for interest. The basic story is again,good vs evil and redemption via true love.Tried and true western themes,but this Outback setting is the new hook that makes it well done. Fine vast action theme music and a down hill chase via horseback that is a classic.It had to be well shoot and filmed and it was.The ending had a `mystical'setting not seen in westerns but a staple of the Aborigine mystique if you will. The movie also serves to bring light to the shameful treating of the Aborigine in Australia that climaxed only in the last 20 years.A dirty secret only hinted at of the policy in force until the late 1960s of removing Aboriginal children from their families.A touching scene with Laura San Giacomo and a small Aborigine child hammer this home on no uncertain terms.This film works on so many levels it should be recognized as a Aborigine in Australia `message' film set to western theme.I cannot say enough and recommend this film to everyone.You will not be sorry.
22 out of 31 people found the following review useful:
my favorite western, 16 July 2001
Author:
MichaelM24 from California
The first western I ever saw, QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER is my favorite. It's a great homage to the classic westerns of the past, with all the best elements combined in a fun movie about one man's fight against an evil land baron who (unknown to the hero) wanted to hire him to kill the local Aborigines, not the dingos as the hero originally thought. Tom Selleck ads another top-notch western to his resume, long with THE SACKETTS, THE SHADOW RIDERS, and the more-recent CROSSFIRE TRAIL. Alan Rickman is great as the bad guy, one of those characters you love to hate, and the beautiful Laura San Giacomo is a perfect western girl, whose (thankfully) is not the kind who becomes kidnapped and must be rescued. In fact, she spends a good deal of the film away from the action, caring for an Aborigine baby who was the only survivor of a tribe massacre earlier in the film. Director Simon Wincer proves what a genius he is at making westerns. He gets the most from everything, from the costumes to the performances, from the sweeping panoramic shots of the Australian outback to Basil Poledouris's lush score. And of course, no review of QUIGLEY would be complete without mentioning that awesome Sharps rifle. I cringe every time that wonderful rifle is thrown to the ground by Rickman. Glad to see that a DVD release is on the way, though it appears to be sorely lacking in the bonus features department. Anybody who likes westerns should check this film out. It's pretty family-friendly, too, with no harsh swearing and violence that never gets bloody or glorified.
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