Man from Snowy River

Put a shrimp on the barby, grab a beer and pull up a chair. Let me tell you about Jim Craig (played by Tom Burlinson), The Man From Snowy River.

Actually, Jim lives in the mountains of Australia with his Pa (Terence Donovan). A very tragic thing happens: Jim's Pa is accidentally killed while he and Jim are out doing chores. What triggered this accident? A wild black stallion who leads the pack of brumbies (wild horses).

To save the farm, Jim lands a job with Mr. Harrison (Kirk "Douglas). Harrison, of course, has a lovely daughter named Jessica (Sigrid Thornton) who has a bit of a crush on Jim and vice versa. So, we have the hero and a leading lady. All we need now is a father who disapproves, and Kirk Douglas fills the bill.

Douglas also plays Spur, a gold miner who is Harrison's brother. A twenty year feud separates the two siblings. What triggered this feud? Why Jessica's Mum (who is deceased), the woman they both loved.

Jim has more bad luck when Harrison's prize horse escapes the ranch, and Harrison blames Jim. Jim now has about 90 minutes to round up the prize horse, get the girl, win her father's respect, and create a happy ending.

Kirk Douglas does a fantastic job playing his duel role. It must be difficult playing two parts where he argues and fights with himself. Perhaps he practiced in front of a mirror.

Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton make convincing sweethearts. Why not? They have so much in common: She's rich, he's poor; she's cultured, classy and elegant; he's ruff around the edges. On second thought, it must be that "opposites attract" thing.

The cinematography--the mountains, the valley, the trees, the blue skies, the jagged cliffs, the wild horses took my breath away. I must say, the wild horses were well groomed. The black stallion's coat was so shiny I think he was dipped in hair gel. I was also impressed with the horsemanship of the stunt riders.

The snowy river itself only makes a cameo appearance. So why does it appear in the title of this flick? Shouldn't the film be called The Man From the Mountain Where Hair-Gel Horses Run Loose?

Anyway, this film is rated G and one that the whole family will enjoy!