Outstanding Aussie 'family' western with Tom Burlinson as the young man who falls in love with his boss's daughter. Kirk Douglas has great fun playing twin roles: a wealthy rancher and his one-legged prospector brother. The lavish scenery and broad scope, and the clever cinematography that captures these help to make
it visually stunning. The riders hurtle down near-vertical mountain drops, getting maximum fuel efficiency from their horses, risking life and limb, and creating good tension at times. The characters are interesting, and are competently played by an excellent cast; Burlinson is terrific as the eager but inexperienced Jim Craig, Sigrid Thornton made a living through the 80s by playing pretty country thangs, while it's difficult to imagine anyone except Jack Thompson playing the important role of Clancy.
April 10, 2007
