Review

Fairly ordinary movie about a boy suddenly alone in the world . In 1880s Australia , Victoria Alps , when young Jim Craig's father (Terence Donovan) dies he becomes an orphan boy and he is seeking a life of his own . Meanwhile , a reclusive mountain man (a bearded Kirk Douglas) helps Jim overcome his sudden state as an orphan . Jim (Tom Burlison) takes a job at the Harrison cattle ranch and there the men challenge him and then he is forced to become a man . Jim falls in love with the well brought-up Jessica (young and beautiful lead Sigrid Thornton) . But her daddy (non-bearded Kirk Douglas, though Burt Lancaster and Robert Mitchum were also considered for the dual role) aims to keep the lovers apart . And a wild horse is a stunning highlight .

This big hit entertaining adventure contains melodrama , thrills , action , a love story , spectacular outdoors and stunning photography highlights . More like Disney style than a John Ford Western , this Australian film takes its wake from ¨Wilderness family¨ saga . Being based on the poem by A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson , scripted by Fred Cullen and John Dixon . Very good acting by the great Kirk Douglas in a dual character -a cheap gimmick of casting- , as portraying two battling brothers , one a wealthy land-owner and the other an one-legged prospector . The starring couple , Tom Burlison and Sigrid Thornton , suffers through the inexperience and being newcomers actors . Tom Burlinson performed all his own horse riding stunts in the film . Colorful cinematography , as photography of horses in breathtaking . It was an Australian huge success and was one of fifty Australian films selected for preservation as part of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia . It is continued by ¨Return to Snowy River¨ by Geoff Burrowes who produced first entry and also with spectacular scenarios . Following the lives of the previous ranch hand and the rich rancher's daughter ; Brian Dennehy takes over from from Kirk role as stubborn dad .

This Down Under motion picture filled with enjoyable moments was professionally directed by George Miller , but with no originality because takes too many elements from former films . Not to be confused with another Australian director, George Miller, of the Mad Max movies . Miller is an Australian director usually working for television (Tidal wave , Journey to the center of the earth , Attack of the Sabretooth and many others) and occasionally for cinema (The man from Snowy river , Zeus and Roxanne , Robinson Crusoe ). Rating : 6 . Acceptable and entertaining flick with glimmer cinematography making the whole film worthwhile watching .