The Man from Snowy River (1982)

In 1880s Australia, after young Jim Craig's father dies, Jim takes a job at the Harrison cattle ranch, where he is forced to become a man.

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

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

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Terence Donovan

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Jim Craig has lived his first 18 years in the mountains of Australia on his father's farm. The death of his father forces him to go to the low lands to earn enough money to get the farm back on its feet. Kirk Douglas plays two roles as twin brothers who haven't spoken for years, one of whom was Jim's father's best friend and the other of whom is the father of the girl he wants to marry. A 20 year old feud re-erupts, catching Jim and Jessica in the middle of it as Jim is accused of letting a prize stallion loose.

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Plot Keywords:

horse movie | australia | twin | stallion | brumby | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Man from Snowy River

Filming Locations:

Central Victoria, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$694,126, 7 November 1982, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$20,659,423

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cambridge Productions, Michael Edgley International, Snowy River Investment Pty. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Biblical passage that was read under a candle, for light: starts at Genesis, Chapter 30 & verse 27, (King James Version). This Biblical verse is of cattle sheep & goats.

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Goofs

When in the wild, the stallion has well groomed hoofs and horse-shoes that are clearly visible from the front view of the horse. If he had shoes on from when he was a colt then his hoofs would have out grown the shoes.

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Quotes

Spur: Don't throw effort out to foolishness!

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Crazy Credits

A herd of wild horses stampede over the hills after the end credits.

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Alternate Versions

NBC edited 8 minutes from this film for its 1987 network television premiere.

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Connections

Referenced in Jack Thompson live at the Gearin Hotel (2011)

User Reviews

A Favorite

The Man from Snowy River is a family favorite. The cinematography of this film was breath-taking. The love story was convincing and the acting was superb. Kirk Douglas plays both the father and the brother and although the plot is somewhat contrived, it is set up extremely well. All of the elements work to make a good movie and one that I watch over and over. The scenes of the Australian mountains and the horses along with the musical score make this a very picturesque, romantic, and warm film. A romance and an action-adventure movie rolled into one which can charm a woman and still be a manly film. The 2nd movie Return to Snowy River was a worthy sequel and Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig does an excellent job in both films. If you are a horse lover, I would definitely recommend this film.