The Man from Snowy River II

The Man from Snowy River II

Australian DVD cover
Directed by Geoff Burrowes
Produced by Geoff Burrowes
Written by Banjo Paterson (poem)
Geoff Burrowes (story)
John Dixon
Starring Tom Burlinson
Sigrid Thornton
Brian Dennehy
Nicholas Eadie
Bryan Marshall
Mark Hembrow
Music by Bruce Rowland
Cinematography Keith Wagstaff
Edited by Gary Woodyard
Production
company
Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures
Release dates
  • 15 April 1988
Running time
 110 minutes
Country Australia
Language English
Budget A$8.7 million[1]
Box office $13,687,027

The Man from Snowy River II is a 1988 Australian drama film, the sequel to the 1982 film The Man from Snowy River.

It was released in the United States as Return to Snowy River, and in the United Kingdom as The Untamed.

Reprising their roles from the first film were Tom Burlinson (as "Jim Craig") and Sigrid Thornton (as "Jessica Harrison") - while Brian Dennehy appeared as "Harrison", instead of Kirk Douglas.

Plot

Some years after his dangerous ride down the steep mountain to capture the Brumby herd and regain the Colt from old "Regret", Jim Craig, now with a large herd of mountain-bred horses of his own, returns to his home vicinity to take up with his girl, Jessica Harrison. She is still smitten with him, but opposition from her father remains as resolute as ever. Further, she also has a rich would-be suitor endeavouring to court her, Alistair Patton, son of the banker from whom Harrison is seeking a large loan. Before he returns from Harrison's property to his home, Jim meets an army officer seeking quality horses for the remount service on a regular basis.

As the young Patton realizes Jessica's affections remain for Jim, and that she doesn't "give a damn" about him (Patton), he jealously and maliciously recruits a gang to steal Jim's horses. Jim gives chase and in so doing again rides his horse down the steep mountainside. Patton shoots at him; the horse is killed and Jim is injured but manages to recover and resume the pursuit. As Jim had earlier let the wild stallion which led the brumbies loose into the wild again, in a twist of fate, the stallion shows itself from the wild at this crucial moment, and Jim finally trains this horse that has been the enigma of the entire district for decades. As he breaks him in and learns to ride him, they become friends, and together, they catch up to Patton and his gang.

Jessica's father has also relented during this time, seen 'the light' and eventually joins with Jim and his 'rough-rider' friends to hunt down Patton and his gang. Jim Craig gets and wins his man-on-man duel with the chief 'villain', Allistair Patton, and Harrison gives his final approval for Jessica and Jim's alliance and the couple marry.

Cast

Production

Geoff Burrowes, who produced the first movie, decided to direct as he felt he would clash with any other director because he felt so strongly about the material.[2]

A horse was put down during the making of the movie which led to a Victorian government inquiry, which ruled the horse was killed needlessly.[3]

Soundtrack

Main article: Return to Snowy River

The name of the soundtrack for this film is the same as the American name for the film.

Bruce Rowland, who composed the music for this film, also composed the music for the first film.

Notes

This film has two alternative endings.

Award and nominations

Box Office

The Man from Snowy River II grossed $7,415,000 at the box office in Australia,[4] which is equivalent to $13,940,200 in 2009 dollars.

References

  1. ↑ "Production Barometer", Cinema Papers, May 1988 p46
  2. ↑ David Stratton, The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry, Pan MacMillan, 1990 p67
  3. ↑ Larry Schrwartz, "Doubt Cast on Need for Mare's Death", Sydney Morning Herald, 5 June 1987 p2
  4. ↑ Film Victoria – Australian Films at the Australian Box Office

External links