Down Under Cinema

Movies about the Australian Outback have drawn in audiences for the last few decades. Whether it's a modern day trilogy like Crocodile Dundee or a blast from the past like Quigley Down Under, moviegoers can't seem to get enough of this legendary land.

                                                                                 

For me it all started with The Rescuers Down Under, a plucky cartoon about two mice who are determined to save a young boy and rare golden eagle. What really sells this film for me is the voice talent. The maniacal McLeach, a poacher bent on trapping and killing every critter in sight, is voiced by brilliant George C. Scott who is best known for playing the role of Patton. Other cinema greats who were involved in this picture include John Candy, Eva Gabor, Bob Newhart and Peter Firth. The movie also has the distinction of being the first Disney sequel.

Disney hit more gold with the creation of the Pixar film, Finding Nemo. While it doesn't take place on land very often, it shows off the expansive ocean that lies to the east. In the movie Nemo's father, Marlin, is accompanied by the forgetful Dory on a journey that takes them from the Great Barrier Reef all the way to Sydney in hopes of finding Nemo.

The Man From Snowy River and its sequel, Return to Snow River, are two classics that take a look at Australia's gold rush days. Tom Burlinson plays mountain man Jim Craig who is legendary for his ride down the face of cliff in pursuit of a mob of horses. The movies are a good mix of history and fiction as it is based off the poem by Banjo Patterson.

Another favorite of mine is the Tom Selleck film Quigley Down Under. American sharpshooter Matthew Quigley has been brought to the Outback to hunt dingoes, but when he finds out he will be shooting at something much different he has a change of heart and rebels against his cruel employer. 

For all the great Australian movies there are a few that just don't sit well with me. Australia is one of those films. Just recently released in 2008, this tale of love, cattle, racial tension and war seems like a real winner. However, for me it is too reminiscent to other movies like Giant (which is one of my favorite flicks) and Pearl Harbor (which is one of my least favorite). Because of its similarities to the latter and not the former I've never been to fond of the Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman picture.

Mad Max you're on my watch list.

Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles is another film that missed the mark. The first two Crocodile Dundee movies are funny throughout, but the third film seems to lack the pizzazz of its predecessors. 

Well now I'm on a mission to watch all these films and maybe a few others before I head to Australia. Mad Max and A Cry in the Dark sound like a good change of pace from the comedies, westerns and cartoons I mentioned.

Until next time, happy trails!