The Man from Snowy River (1982)

Memorable, crazy movie

Expected more

Excellent but underrated film

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

This movie was absolute garbage in almost every regard. And be warned--it's NOT a western, "family" or otherwise. Just because it takes place in the Outback and involves cowboys (or "horsemen" as they call them in the movie) doesn't make this a western (kind of like how the Godfather isn't a war movie, despite the fact that Michael is a war hero. It's hardly the point of the movie, and the same logic applies here. This is a romance movie that happens to take place in a "western" setting.).The only two aspects of this movie that had any redeeming qualities were there were some decent shots of horses running in a herd and there were some good shots of the Australian wilderness. That's it. Now let's look at the two things people typically care about most in a movie--acting and plot:Acting: The acting is pretty awful. There's a small amount of chemistry between the romantic leads, but their relationship is hardly believable. Kirk Douglas' characters aren't convincing and are horribly overacted, especially Spur (and the subplot involving the brothers is pointless and predictable). The only character that wasn't terribly acted was Clancy, but compared to most of this cast, Nic Cage is a stellar actor.Plot: There isn't a strong enough word to describe how predictable this movie is. Within 30 seconds of every new aspect of the story presenting itself on screen, it was abundantly clear how that aspect would play out. This, in itself, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if the story came up with some interesting ways for the characters to reach their predictable conclusions, but sadly that's not the case.

Kirk Douglas is great in two roles and Jack Thompson is there as he is in just about every other Aussie film these two fine actors get star billing. Jack plays Clancy of the Overflow but its really a cameo. The real star of the film is a young Tom Burlinson and he not only looks great he gives the most heart warming natural performance. It is Tom's film. The producers felt there needed to be a love interest and poor Tom gets Sigrid Thornton who is the only disappointment in the film. Thornton delivers her dialogue quite stiffly almost as though she is reading. There is more romance and chemistry between Tom and the horse than there is with poor old Singrid. The scene of her rescue is however spectacular. But forget all that and feast your eyes on Tom and enjoy the glorious scenery, listen to a magnificent score. Some of the dialogue is rather twee especially when there are direct quotes from Patterson's brilliant poetry. The poem is a great classic and Banjo is one of the greatest writers of all time.

The Man from Snowing River has a lot to like about it - more so than to dislike really. Kirk Douglas has some good fun with his dual characters and perhaps an easy time with the stark contrasts. Tom Burlington does a fairly good job as the main hero, while most others are standard. One of the things that makes this movie better is the stunts and photography which really are first rate. We pretty much can guess most of the story after 15 min in, but despite the clichés there's still charm and homeliness. The movie sets up well (spoiler) throwing the audience a twist towards the beginning, but nonetheless the best scenes are actually between Spur and young Jim. They have a marvelous and genuine relationship. The romance is standard fare with Sigrid Thornton mostly unremarkable. The Man from Snowy River is horse enthusiasts dream to watch shot with lots of expansive shots; the music is average with some 80s coming through. A good show, and worth a look.

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