Review

This is a great true-blue Aussie tale of the legendary bushman "The Man From Snowy River" and his fictional exploits in capturing the colt from "Old Regret" (as told of in the famous poem by A.B. "Banjo" Patterson).

Bruce Rowland has provided a classic, at times rousing score while lenser Keith Wagstaff breathes life into some spectacular and exciting scenery from the Victorian high country. In fact the spectacular stunts (involving some daring, outlandish riding) and amazing cinematography are the definite highlights. John Dixon and Fred Cullen have developed a reasonable, though at times melodramatic, screenplay, however it is the eye catching horsemanship that's really worth waiting for.

Tom Burlinson is well suited to the role of young Jim Craig, whose self belief is not at all misplaced, and Sigrid Thornton makes a fine feisty heroine. Good support comes from Lorraine Bayly and Chris Haywood, with especially enjoyable, though short, turns from Gus Mercurio and Jack Thompson - the latter as legendary "Clancy of the Overflow". The star import is veteran American actor Kirk Douglas, who does well as twin brothers Harrison and Spur, two aging gents who had a terrible falling out several years ago. While he is convincing on screen, Douglas was apparently not very happy with the pressure of having just two or three takes to get things right. He reputedly changed some of his lines, and is even said to have stormed off on a nag at the completion of filming. Perhaps his failure to return for the sequel is confirmation of his dissatisfaction.

Sunday, December 17, 1995 - Video