From 20th Century Fox
Directed by George Miller
Starring
Tom Burlinson
Kirk Douglas
Sigrid Thornton
Jack Thompson
Lorraine Bayley
Tony Bonner
Chris Haywood
Terence Donovan
Clearly a classic in Australian cinema, I regard it as a remarkable achievement in western cinema or cowboy culture or whatever one wants to call it... in any country. I'll hang up my boots and hat if this isn't one of the very best of its kind. I've never been able to find anything that I disliked about this movie.
At the time, it was the most expensive Australian movie ever made. It is based on a poem of the same name by Banjo Paterson, who also wrote Waltzing Matilda. To achieve the kind of world-wide fame the Aussies were seeking, they knew they needed a well-known international star which is how Kirk Douglas became attached to the project. And he would play a dual role.
I have always honored it because it was the film that made me pay attention to Aussie movies. I had never realized they were so good. Today and for some time now they are indisputably a force of nature in their acting pool.
At the top of my list of compliments and regard for The Man from Snowy River is it's a story of triumph. Talk about a feel-good flick. It's also the story of spirit, great spirit, that comes from courageous people, lives carved out of an untamed land and horses, particularly four of them. It is also the story of young love, forbidden love due to class distinctions, involving a boy out to prove himself a man, and a young woman whose dream is to find out who she is with respect to her background.
Jim Craig and his father are cutting down trees near their mountainous station (ranch) when a herd of brumbies (wild horses) comes by, led by a fierce black stallion, spooking their own horses and causing the father to die from being crushed by a log. The pair's mare runs off with the brumbies.
Jim is told by other mean-looking mountain men that he has not earned the right to stay on his station because he's not a man and needs to become one. Jim's friend, peg-legged, gold-seeking Spur suggests he go to the lowlands and earn enough money to get his station back up and running. Spur gives Jim a mountain horse, particularly adept at maneuvering the rocky trails on its upcountry slopes.
While in town, Jim comes across the Harrison family at the railway station where a prized colt is being delivered to them. The horse gets spooked as daughter Jessica is handling it and Jim saves the day. She, a young feminist, much to her father's chagrin, resents Jim's interference although he is smitten. Harrison, meanwhile, is thankful and the episode leads to Jim becoming a hired hand at the Harrison station.
Jim's hopeful ascent to manhood is thwarted by his coworkers, especially the oddball Curly, who thrive on age-shaming Jim. Soon Harrison takes a dislike to Jim because he observes Jessica has taken a shine to the lad. A legendary cowboy, a loaner, Clancy, a friend of both the Craig and Harrison families, does all he can to support Jim. Clancy is the voice of reason and enters and exits the story several times.
While Harrison and his men leave to look for cattle, Jessica talks Jim into breaking in the new colt, which was Curly's job to do. When Harrison comes home and discovers what has happened, he is furious. He and Jessica get into a row about it and he slaps her. She runs off to the mountains and to Jim who is there to locate still-missing cattle. Jessica falls off her horse and down a short distance off a cliff side during a storm.
Jessica meets Spur and discovers he is her uncle, her father's twin brother, unknown to her. She is determined to find out more about her past when she and Jim return to the station. Her Aunt Rosemary, a feminist herself, who lives with them, tells Jessica what she wants to know.
Harrison fires Jim at the same time Curly lets the colt out of his corral (to run with the brumbies), knowing Jim will be blamed. An enraged Harrison organizes his neighbors to join him and his hands to retrieve his prized horse. His pal Clancy joins the pack but brings along Jim, much to Harrison's annoyance.
Next comes what the film has been building towards the entire time. Aided by a rousing score, dazzling camerawork (on the ground and from the air) and a frenetic pace through beautiful countryside is the most heart-pounding display of horsemanship that one is likely to ever see.
A couple dozen riders trample the grounds and waterways chasing the herd of brumbies until they arrive at a seemingly impossible grade and they stop as the herd continues down the steep cliff. Jim and his trusty mountain pony chase right after them. The entire cast is gathered at the station when Jim brings in the herd to the sounds of the film's sweeping score.
The men declare Jim a man. He decline's Harrison's reward and with his reclaimed mare in tow tells Harrison he will be back for a few more mares and for anything else that's mine. You go, Cowboy.
Douglas plays both Harrison and Spur. While Harrison is full of Douglas aggression and tight control, Spur is a comic delight and the one who gives the story its heart. I find it to be the best of the actor's later performances.
The title role was given to Toronto-born Tom Burlinson, making his film debut. It is a charming performance with the film clearly resting on his young shoulders. He had not ridden a horse prior to this film and as astonishing as it seems, it's said he did all of his own riding and stunts. He claims Douglas is his acting mentor.
Burlinson is perfectly matched by Sigrid Thornton, an Elizabeth McGovern lookalike, fiery and strong as Jessica. I have never known her to make an American film and have only seen her in one other Aussie offering, All the Rivers Run, also directed by George Miller.
Lorraine Bayley is also effective as Aunt Rosemary. It was certainly different to see the film's approach to feminism and wonderful to see women characters who are every bit as strong as the men. I loved a line when Harrison, admonishing Jessica tells her to act like a lady. She replies... Lady? It's an excuse to keep women under control.
Jack Thompson, a most reliable Aussie actor, has always made me feel comfortable when I see his work. He brings a special quality to Clancy, imbuing him with a kindness and humanity, and a perfect match to young Jim.
The end credits tell of the master of horse, mountain horsemen, crack riders and other riders. Obviously these are experts, a number of whom obviously belong to families with names like Lovick, Purcell and Wallis sprinkled throughout.
There are two Australian directors named George Miller. I refer to them as the one who directed The Man from Snowy River and the other one. (It's a fun jab because that other one is far more famous.) This one appeared to have a large undertaking and was able to mix adventure with strong characters and a tender love story and keep the pace going . There's not a boring moment and most interesting, for this type of film, there's no swearing and minimal violence. Don't let that keep you he-men away.
It would be thoughtless to not mention two crew members without whom this movie would have suffered a bit. Keith Wagstaff's cameras certainly captured horseflesh like never before and the beautiful outdoor locations of Merrijig, Victoria. Bruce Rowland's musical score I have already assigned two of my favorite adjectives to but let me add that few musical scores have ever gotten my juices flowing like this one.
The film was popular the world over. Even people who didn't like westerns seemed to find something to enjoy in this one. It would spawn a sequel (also with Burlinson and Thornton) and a television series.
I've still got my boots on and my lariat over my shoulder (so hard to type) and it's still in my DVD player. Maybe I'll watch it again. You can see a preview.
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Another favorite 80's film
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