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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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Quigley
Down Under
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Reviewed
by: |
B.
Lou Goodwin |
| Genre: |
Western |
| Video: |
Widescreen
|
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital |
| Language: |
English,
French |
| Subtitle: |
English,
French |
| Length: |
2 Hours |
| Rating: |
PG-13 |
| Release
Date: |
9-4-01 |
| Studio: |
MGM
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| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
|
Yes |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Theatrical Trailers included |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Tom Selleck,
Laura San Giacomo, Alan Rickman |
| Screenplay
by: |
NA |
| Produced
by: |
Stanley O'Toole, Alexandra
Rose |
| Directed
By: |
Simon Wincer |
| Music: |
Basil Poledouris
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| The
Review: |
A striking
movie, full of adventure and heart-an experience that you will
not be disappointed in. Head out into the outback and ride into
adventure. 'Quigley Down Under' is a wonderful revival of the
western tradition. Released in 1990, this film gives an Australian
twist to the classic American western. Tom Selleck, who plays
Quigley, arrives in Australia with a fancy saddle and Sharp's
rifle to work for a wealthy land baron. Quigley soon discovers
that the rancher has hired him to murder the native population
so he quits. The baron flips out and he sends his henchmen out
to hunt Quigley down. Quigley goes on the run with Laura San
Giacomo, who plays a woman with secret pass and they set out
on an epic adventure in a strange land. If you loved 'Shane"
or any of the John Wayne westerns then this one is a definite
buy for you. It has a solid story, fantastic performances, and
some of the most beautiful scenery that I have ever seen. Tom
Selleck turns in a performance that will make you remember his
well-rounded performance in "The Sacketts". For myself, I have
always thought him to be a handsome man but what has always
been his real appeal is his sense of chilvary. So many of the
characters that he portrays are people that you wish you knew,
or better yet, were. I think you will also be amazed by Laura
San Giacomo's (Just Shoot Me) performance. She is more than
wonderful as the crazy prostitute that Quigley rescues and then
falls in love with. Her story is the mystery within action.
Even if you were not a western fan, you would have to love the
broken soul of this woman and how the life hums in her eyes.
The relationship between her and Quigley is perfect for those
viewers who have romantic soul. As for those of you who crave
action, this film is loaded. From the horrific fall of hundreds
to their deaths to savage snarl of the dingoes, no one will
leave this film disappointed. However, if its politics that
you want, then this film also provides a historical insight
into the plight of the Aborigines that echoes the plight of
the Native Americans in our own country. Whatever you are looking
for this film can provide it for you. Director Wincer, who was
the director of "Lonesome Dove", brings this tale alive with
humor and heart pounding excitement that makes this one of the
"must sees" for this years batch of DVD. |
| Image
and Sound |
Australia
in 1990 was still a fairly undiscovered country as far as filmmakers
were concerned. Much of its rough landscape is shot in panoramic
style so that you can feel the expanse and harsh beauty wash
over you. One of the reasons that Tom Selleck, the director,
and the cinematographer were looking forward to shooting on
location was to capture this pagan beauty for all time on film.
You will see some stunning outdoor cinematography that would
be the envy of any aspiring cameraperson. If you only watch
this film for the visuals, then you have been given a treat.
The color, the majesty of backgrounds makes the viewer want
to walk into the screen and disappear. The color of the clothes
is little faded but this is to add realism to the time period.
Few pieces of clothes stay brilliant when exposed to lye soap,
dust, and blaring sun. As for the quality of the sound, the
music is smoothly blended with the scenes with out being overpowering.
The voices can be heard distinctly and without grainy residue.
Even the thud of fist against flesh can be heard with out disruption
or interference. The look and the sound of 'Quigley' are in
perfect harmony and this DVD give you a crystalline view of
the director's intention. I have viewed this film on both VHS
and cable before and the DVD version has much better sound and
sharper colors. |
| The
Extras |
'Quigley'
is complete with a short documentary and three theatre trailers.
The documentary doesn't add much substance but you do receive
short interviews with the two main stars and the director. It
is too brief to be a necessity to viewers but it does add a
few insights into the location and the stunts. With all honesty,
it the lacks in-depth interviews and information that makes
a documentary great. There are also three trailers included
in this film. Two of the original short trailers and one longer
trailer are available. I can't imagine that you would like to
view all of them but here it goes. The longest of the three
is more interesting that the shorts but it gives away a lot
of the plot. If that worries you then hold off on seeing it
until after the film. The two shorts give just enough to pique
your interest without giving you the ending. As for which of
the shorts to watch, both are about equal in length and subject
matter so I say just pick one. If you want my true opinion,
skip the folderol and watch the film. The soundtrack is epic,
instrumental, and perfect for this movie. Basil Poledouris should
be commended for his choices. Many of the early songs are reminiscent
of our own Western Sagas and this ties this essentially Australian
story to our own American ties. So many films today believe
that the music has to grind and pound and overpower the story
that it is telling. The soundtrack of 'Quigley' is a helpmate
to story not a hindrance or a cover for faulty plot. Although
the music is not the type that you would buy the CD for, it
the perfects compliment to the movie. |
| Commentary |
None |
| Final
Words: |
What can I say in my final words
that I have not said before? This is a fantastic film, full
of pageantry, plot, action, romance, and beauty. If you want
more, make your own damn film. 'Quigley Down Under' is not
only a great movie; it covers historical events that an American
audience might not be familiar with. This adds a freshness
to old story line and I hope that you will agree that this
is the true "rebirth" the classic western tradition. 'Quigley'
is not the new bloodfest that so many of today's westerns
are. It has honor, chilvary, it has heart and a man that the
audience can root for. I don't know about you but I can always
use another hero even if he is only make-believe. This is
also a family film. It keeps a PG-13 rating because of some
of the historical content and the fighting but overall this
is a clean film. There is no nudity and limited swearing.
If your children will be upset, it will be due to the abuses
they see heaped up on the Aborigines. As for couples, both
women and men can find something to love about this movie
and I hope they take a chance and watch it.
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