THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER

Australia, 1982, 102 minutes, Colour.
Tom Burlinson, Sigrid Thornton, Kirk Douglas, Jack Thompson, Tony Bonner, Chris Haywood, Gus Mercurio.
Directed by George Miller.

The Man From Snowy River was a multi-million dollar adventure spectacle. Visually beautiful, it captures the atmosphere of the Victorian mountainous countryside in the 1880s. There are spectacular action shots especially with cattle and the final chase through the mountains for the horses. The screenplay elaborates A.B. Paterson's famous poem. It keeps the spirit of the poem with its blend of nationalism, jokiness and sentiment.

Characters are enlarged – but tend to be of the conventional stories of the 19th century. Their dialogue sometimes reflects this stereotyping – even to have Patterson and Clancy sit at table talking about visions splendid. Kirk Douglas acts well and has strong presence in the dual characterisation of Spur and his brother Harrison. Jack Thompson is himself as Clancy. Tom Burlinson is a pleasant and earnest young Jim but Sigrid Thornton is very strong as the heroine Jessica. There is a good supporting cast. Critics were very unkind to the film on its release – expecting it perhaps to be another Gallipoli or Breaker Morant. As a homespun spectacular rousing yarn, it is very entertaining.

1. An entertaining film? Its Australian impact? Overseas? Quality of film production?

2. The technical contribution: the Panavision location photography, the mountains, the countryside, the atmosphere of the 19th century, period decor and costumes, town life and properties, the cattle-droving, the wild horses and the chases, the riding sequences? Editing, sound? The musical score? Special effects?

3. The international production – the Australian contribution, Kirk Douglas and his presence, the reminder of s o many Americans in Australia after the gold rushes in the 19th century?

4. The status of -Paterson's poem? Audience knowledge of the poem, knowledge of its reputation? How well was the poem adapted for the final chase? The characters filled out for a 19th century yarn? The spirit of the poem – humour, patriotism, sentiment? The introduction of A. B. Paterson as a character in the film? His visit to the town, his presence at the station, the discussions at dinner and his friendship with Clancy (and the incorporation of quotations from other poems)? His meeting with Jim and the discussion about the story? The atmosphere of authenticity to Paterson's poem?

5. The atmosphere of Victoria in 1888 – pioneering in the high country, mining, logging, the pressures for survival? The prospectors and the mines, the homesteads, wealth and society in the country, the background of race meetings, wealth and property, cattle and prize colts? The manners of society last century? The lifestyle? The role of men, of women? Stereotypes and breaking through stereotypes?

6. Jim and his father, the prospecting, the work together, the stallion, Bess running off, the log and his father's death? The atmosphere of the funeral and the men warning Jim away? His owning his property? The bond with Spur? his seeking work and taking his mountain horse? The irony of his owning half the mine and Spur's discovery of the gold?

7. Kirk Douglas' style as Spur – the comic touch? The friendship with Jim and his father, the mine and his prospecting, idiosyncrasies, friendship, the American in Australia after the gold rush? The contrast with Doug his performance as Harrison and his aggressiveness, jealousy, antagonism towards, Spur, suspicion of his wife? His wealth, his love for Jessica yet his suspicions, the presence of her aunt, his money, running the stock, his manner with his men? His liking of Jim and disappointment with him? His forbidding Jessica to marry Jim? His disowning Spur – not having a brother?

8. Jim at the homestead and his work, chores, serving the family, Jessica and the initial encounter with her with the horse at the station, serving the meals, his manners? Jessica's getting him to tame the horse? Seeing Bess and the stallion and the accident with the colt? His gradual falling in love with Jessica? His rescuing Jessica? The droving, bringing in the cattle? His plans for his future?

9. Jessica as strong heroine? Her way with horses? Love for her father yet clashes with him? His spurning her? The influence of her liberal thinking aunt? her wilfulness, Jim and the taming of the horse? Covering for him? Her curiosity about Spur? Her father slapping her, her rushing away, becoming lost, the melodrama of her being stranded on the ledge, the rescue? Confronting the future with Jim?

10. The portrait of the men and their work? The variety of types, life in the sheds? Vigour and strength? The foreman and his organisation? The domination of Harrison? The search for the cattle? Harrison's orders? Curly and his antagonism? His slinging off, the incident with the tying of the knot, the drinking? Letting the colt go? The chase and his falling in the river? An effective villain?

11. Jack Thompson's style as Clancy – his turning up, memories of the past, friendship with Spur, relationship with Jim's father, the words to Jim in front of all the men? His place at the dinner, the meeting of Paterson and the discussion of the 'vision splendid'? His reputation, his turning up at the end, his persuading Harrison to let Jim go? His admiration for Jim's achievement?

12. The aunt and her story, the feminist touches explicitly referred to? Her memory of her sister and Harrison's marriage? Her knowledge of the truth? Her relationship with Jessica? Standing up to Harrison? The sub-plot with the cook and her strong-mindedness and the flirtation with Spur?

13. The action sequences: the logging, the horses racing through the bush, the mountain sequences, the cattle runs, the wild bush horses and stampede, the excitement of the pursuit, the chase, Jim's leap and final success?

14. A glimpse of the 19th century way of life? As a yarn, as legend, as part of the myth of Australia? The masculine heroes? The place of the women in l9th century society?