The Man From Snowy River
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Canada
Movie Reviews of The Man From Snowy River
Movie Review: What's Not To Like...??
Summary: 5 Stars
"NEVER CRY WOLF"..."FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX"..."THE ENLGLISH PATIENT"......all, cinematic and character delights - as you will find "THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER"...
Technically a "10", this Aussie (and World) classic, may leave you none-the-less breathless. George Miller's direction, Cull Cullen's script (enhanced by John Dixon and David Bradshaw's, "A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson", whose original poem is the essense of the film), Keith Wagstaff's absolutely stunning cinematography and Bruce Rowland's original and heart-tugging music (particularly, the piano solo, "Jessica's Theme") may bring tears to your eyes with this simple, Down-Under western plot -- but it took a world-class editor like Adrian Carr to put this gorgeous film into the top ranks of movie-watchers the globe over. Carr's timing of Wagstaff's photography and Rowland's music is the stuff legends are made of...just, dare I say it, "Professional Grade"(!)
It didn't hurt to have a made-to-order cast. Burlinson is quietly, and wonderfully, cast as the young male hero, "Jim Craig." Kirk Douglas hasn't played a better role - and, as a double. Terence Donovan played the quietly strong, short-lived role as Burlinson's father, "Henry." Sigrid Thornton was exemplary and believable as Tom's love interest, "Jessica" (the woman is beautiful) and the venerable Jack Thompson was magnificent as "Clancy" - the range-wise, "horse-magician" glue that holds the whole film together.
The subtle British humour Americans are so used to is sometimes raucous in the film - more the better from Chris Haywood's
"Curly" (..."Ah'm studyin' to be Supavisa!").
If you can't get an empathetic rise and a teardrop over the cornea through this wonderfully crafted epic, then pop-a-top from a 12 oz. curl of your favorite brew, pull back the handle on your Lazy-Boy and turn on the Wrestling Channel...you dolt.
Filmed in 1982, it's still a true classic 22 years later.
~Bob Shank Jr
Technical Support Engineer
IT UNIX Help Desk
Engineering Computing
Raytheon Missile Systems Co.
Tucson By-God Arizona (...and, yes, we still have true 'horsemen' here - they just blacksmith Tomahawk missiles in their spare time)
Movie Review: One of those Give-it-all-you-got and Throw-caution-to-the-wind kind of stories
Summary: 5 Stars
THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER has earned its place as a unique and inspiring Western. It was the first Western I ever saw at the cinema (I was about 7 years old at the time), and I saw it at a time in my life when all I was interested in were spaceships and lightsabers.
I recently watched it again for the first time in many, many years. Once again, the mystically poetic music captured my attention as did the beautiful Australian scenery. But also for the first time, I noticed one of the strong core themes of this movie: stay focused on the goal and keep going. That's what the hero, Jim Craig, does all throughout the film. Even in times of hardship, unfairness, and heartbreak, he always keeps his virtue and courage fully intact. My favorite--and probably everyone else's favorite--scene is where he keeps chasing the horses (or "Brumbies") down the steep mountainside even after the older and more experiences horsemen gave up. Given the kind of determination and rigid focus that Jim Craig had, I think he would have ridden down that mountain even if it were on fire!
This is one of many things that make this film great. And once again, I will add that the music is wonderful. "Jessica's Sonata" has now become one of the most recognizable piano pieces, even though many people would not know where it originated from. It's the kind of music that stays with you long after you've seen the movie.
Movie Review: A classic Western with independent spirit
Summary: 5 Stars
This is something primal and Earthy about this film. The horses, the terrain and the people all seem crafted from the same dirt. Each character, man, woman or horse, display the same strength of will and personality. An independent Australian film, "The Man from Snowy River" has the unmistakable mark of personal vision and integrity.The story and themes are typical of Westerns; a poor boy from the mountains courts a wealthy man's daughter, the same boy seeks to prove himself as a man by succeeding where his father failed, an older man mentors the boy and sets him on the right path. However, atypical of American Western films is the strength of the female characters, and the somber mood of the film.
The acting is top-notch. Kirk Douglas does a suprisingly good turn in a dual-role, playing the brothers Spur and Harrison. (when I first saw the film I didn't realize that they were the same actor.) Each actor fits his/her role perfectly.
Of special note is the score. I dare you not to get goose bumps during the finally, when the orchestra plays.
Not many extras on this DVD, but a film this good doesn't really need them. "The Man from Snowy River" remains one of my all-time favorite movies. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: Five Stars does NOT do this Film Justice.........Try 15 Stars
Summary: 5 Stars
Forget what they say about the Directors, forget about the Producers, The TRUEST importance of this movie is the Story, the Acting and the Scenery.
Set in the 1800's this Cinematic Marvel Shows a way of life forgotten for several generations, Yet it shows a Love Story with a very Few Rivals. It is NOT just a Love between a man and woman, it is a Love for the Land, it is a Love for Nature, it is a Man's desire to be respected for his Own actions, Not for those of his pro-genetors.
This has some of the Best Horsemanship you are likely to find on ANY Silver Screen. The Gracefulness and the Comraderie between "Man and Beast", the Respect for Man and Beast is NOT to be seen by any of the Liberal productions out of Hollywood.
The Sheer Emotion this will evoke is Man and Woman alike for the Life Lived in a bygone era will knock your socks off, and will Demand that you re-watch this over and over, finding new nuances at each viewing.
The Aussies Prove that they Really DO Know how to make Good Movies with this one!!!!!
Movie Review: The Man from Snowy River : way more than a horse opera
Summary: 5 Stars
The Man from Snowy River is one of the ten best movies ever made. Sure it has great cinematography, fantastic scenery and a GREAT cast but this motion picture is true literature. It's based on a poem by A.B.Patterson (perhaps Mr Patterson, a character in the movie). The story is about a young woman who's father plans to sell her to the highest bidder. The hero's initials are J.C. (look familiar) who comes DOWN to the low country (Earth) to free the young woman (the church) from Old Regret which is "The sins of the fathers being visited upon the generations". He chases down the horses which symbolize merciless FATE. He doesn't swing the heroine up into the saddle at the end but goes to prepare her mansion, promising to return. This is one of the best examples of biblical allegory ever. The Snow in Snowy River refers to something Isaiah promised. Another great thing about this movie is that Jim Craig is considered a hero not because he can kill but because he can WORK. DO NOT miss this movie.