HotToastyRag
When a teenage boy's father dies, he works on a ranch to save enough money to restore his father's farm to its former glory. While learning the ropes and becoming a man, he falls in love, but finds himself in the middle of a long-standing feud between two brothers who could interfere with his impending marriage. Kirk Douglas plays a dual role in The Man from Snowy River, as both estranged brothers, and while that's fun to watch, you're probably not going to like this movie unless you're really in love with westerns. Most of the movie focuses on the beauty of the landscape, and showcasing wild horses running around and cowboys working with cattle. If you think watching scene after scene of that will bore you to tears, you might want to try a different western, or a new genre altogether. If that type of scene appeals to you, you'll probably like it and will want to read A.B. "Bajo" Patterson's original poem. As you know, I'm not terribly in love with westerns. I much preferred Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
mattkratz
This movie set in Australia has excellent cinematography and is basically about mending fences. Kirk Douglass plays a duel role as brothers who have to mend things on a late 19th-century ranch. They get help from their family, and there is also hunt from gold and lots of horses, as they try to hunt them down and corral them. My favorite scene:a guy's lying on the ground injured, and a wild horse who frequently appears throughout the movie jumps over him on two legs very wildly, and proceeds to fall on him, and they show it in slow motion, frame-by-frame.Basically, this is a family movie, and not too bad. Watch it with the entire family if you can.** 1/2 out of ****
pc95
The Man from Snowing River has a lot to like about it - more so than to dislike really. Kirk Douglas has some good fun with his dual characters and perhaps an easy time with the stark contrasts. Tom Burlington does a fairly good job as the main hero, while most others are standard. One of the things that makes this movie better is the stunts and photography which really are first rate. We pretty much can guess most of the story after 15 min in, but despite the clichés there's still charm and homeliness. The movie sets up well (spoiler) throwing the audience a twist towards the beginning, but nonetheless the best scenes are actually between Spur and young Jim. They have a marvelous and genuine relationship. The romance is standard fare with Sigrid Thornton mostly unremarkable. The Man from Snowy River is horse enthusiasts dream to watch shot with lots of expansive shots; the music is average with some 80s coming through. A good show, and worth a look.
wes-connors
After his widower father dies in a horsing accident, young Tom Burlinson (as Jim Craig) is left to manage his Australian "Snowy River" farm, with only wizened, peg-legged prospector Kirk Douglas (as Spur) to help. Times are hard, so Mr. Burlinson goes to work for Mr. Douglas' wealthy, silver-haired brother rancher "Mr. Harrison" (also played by Kirk Douglas). When a big job comes up, the silver-haired (older?) Douglas feels Burlinson is too young and inexperienced to go along; so, Burlinson stays behind, and falls in love with the boss' daughter, Sigrid Thornton (as Jessica Harrison).The least satisfactory aspect of director George Miller's "The Man from Snowy River" is a weak storyline. Observe, for example, the "Jessica is lost" sequence of events. The damsel gets lost in one of those "freak" storms, while running away. Her worried father rounds up a posses of drunk men to find her, after predicting bad weather. Damsel "Jessica" rolls herself on to the edge of a conveniently appearing cliff. Father and the suddenly sober men don't check Burlinson's farm. Hero Burlinson discovers the damsel. After building a fire, he decides to kiss her.The "romance" is played too innocently for as obvious an attracted man and woman as Burlinson and Ms. Thornton. To make matters worse, the Douglas brothers have a "dark history" which is revealed before any mystery is built up regarding the matter. The main attraction, herein, is the Australian scenery.**** The Man from Snowy River (3/25/82) George Miller ~ Tom Burlinson, Kirk Douglas, Sigrid Thornton
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