Bush Christmas
| Bush Christmas | |
|---|---|
 (image from the original film) | |
| Directed by | Henri Safran |
| Written by | Ted Roberts |
| Starring |
John Ewart John Howard Nicole Kidman Mark Spain James Wingrove |
| Music by | The Bushwackers |
| Distributed by |
Barron Films Umbrella Entertainment |
| Release dates | 1983 |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | A$950,000[1] |
| Box office | $122,035 (Australia) |
It is a remake of a 1947 Australian film of the same name, which was based on a novel by Ralph Smart and Mary Cathcart Borer. Also known by the title Prince and the Great Race (which is the title under which the film has been released to video in some parts of the world), the Christmas-themed film is most notable for being one of the first theatrical releases to star Nicole Kidman. It was filmed on location on the Lamington Plateau, Queensland. It is also notable for music by The Bushwackers.
Plot
In rural Australia the Thompson family struggle to keep their farm from foreclosure. The family is placing its hopes on their horse, Prince, winning the New Year's Cup and using the winnings to pay off the debt. Two struggling lowlifes Bill and Sly (John Ewart and John Howard) find out about the horse and steal it, escaping into the nearby mountain range.
With the father off droving cattle and all forms of transportation and communication made inoperable by Bill and Sly before their escape, the Thompson children Helen (Nicole Kidman) and John (Mark Spain), and their English cousin Michael (James Wingrove), saddle up their own horses and go after the crooks on their own. They are assisted by Manalpuy, a local Aboriginal who works on the farm.
Production
At one stage Howard Rubie was announced as director and he was involved in casting. However for a time it seemed the film might not go ahead so Rubie accepted a chance to direct The Settlement instead.[2][3]
The movie was shot in Queensland in Beaudesert. Funding came in part from the Australian Film Commission, the Film and TV Institute (WA) and Queensland Film Corporation.[4]
Release
Box office
Bush Christmas grossed $122,035 at the box office in Australia,[5] which is equivalent to $322,172 in 2009 dollars.
Home Media
Bush Christmas was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in December 2012. The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes special features such as the theatrical trailer, press kit stills and the script.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ "Production Survey", Cinema Papers, March–April 1984 p79
- ↑ "Interview with Howard Rubie", Signet, 2 November 1998 accessed 20 November 2012
- ↑ David Stratton, The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry, Pan MacMillan, 1990 p341-342
- ↑ Geoff Mayer, "Bush Christmas", Australian Film 1978-1992, Oxford Uni Press, 1993 p122
- ↑ Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office
- ↑ "Umbrella Entertainment". Retrieved 5 May 2013.