The 1990 film Quigley Down Under is a movie of many colours. It is not just a western. It is not just a r0mance. Or an adventure of a stranger in a strange land, or about racial inequality. It is not even, at the core of it, a film about stealing land from the natives who own it.
The Aborigine.
Read on
Quigley Down Under, written by John Hill (Whose prowess as a Hollywood scribe peaked with this production.) and directed by Simon Wincer was, though, a western through and through. Wincer had worked with Ole Thomas Magnum, aka Tom Selleck before on the Monte Walsh remake, and the splendid made for TV western Crossfire Trail.
This partnership reached its apex with Quigley Down Under.
The film itself was not just a western though.
The story
Matthew Quigley answers an advertisement for a sharpshooter from Mr. Marston. The ranch owner relates that he is looking for someone to control his dingo problem.
Quigley meets Marston’s men and “Crazy Cora” at the dockside. After a quick bout of battle between the rabble of Marston’s ranch and Quigley, they all head to the ranch.
Things get exciting when the sharpshooter learns that Marston hired him to kill the Aboriginal people on his vast ranch.
The main Cast
Laura San Giacomo is Cora
Alan Rickman is Marstan.
Tony Bonner is Dobkin *Bonner was a fave of mine from the old Skippy reruns on telly. It killed me that Joey King was a baddie.*
**Story from the ’80’s: Mel Gibson was a guest of Steven Wright on BBC Radio One. Gibson told a story about Skippy “stunt kangaroos.” It was hideous and comedic and I am ashamed to say I almost ran off the road laughing. Does anyone else remember this? If you do, please let us know, not via postcard, but in the comment section below. Cheers.**
Ron Haddrick is Grimmelman
Jerome Ehlers is Coogan
Behind the scenes
Wincer, along with Cinematographer David Eggby, makes Quigley sharp and crystal clear. In the days before 4K, this film sparkles. It looks panoramic and majestic. Combined with the musical score by Basil Poledouris (So reminiscent of almost any John Wayne western film score .) and the spot on editorial skills of Peter Burgess and Adrian Carr, the film is a delight to watch.
What is it really about?
After repeated viewings; I realise that Quigley Down Under is, to a degree, about lost innocence. Cora for example. This almost secondary character has the most interesting and tragic backstory.
Back in America:
During a Comanche attack on their sod hut, while husband Roy is away, tragedy strikes. *I’d include a spoiler alert here but the movie was released in 1990!* Her husband returns to find she smothered their baby in terror during the attack.
His punishment is to send her to Australia.
After she meets Quigley, aka Roy, we learn of her tale. We also see the world through her eyes. Poor Cora has murdered her own child, inadvertently, and seen innocent men, women and children forced off a cliff to their death.
Later in the film, she is forced to face her demons. In the guise of marauding dingoes. This time she and the Aboriginal baby survive.
Cora may be an excellent example of innocence lost, but she grows. More than any character in the film, she becomes stronger for her past and present experiences.
Quigley Down Under works brilliantly.
The script is full of wonderful and memorable moments:
Matthew’s introduction to Cora:
The misfits scene:
No clip this time, but watch the exchange between Cora and the other lady of the night in the wagon, during the “good shot” scene. Cora is asked if “your man” can really shoot that far. Cora dismissively responds, “I don’t know him.”
After Quigley makes the shot Cora then tells the same woman, “See! I told you my Roy could…” The actress playing the other sex worker moves slowly away. She downplays the moment perfectly.
All this goes to prove that the casting on the movie was spot on. All the characters, including Essex actor Chris Haywood as Major Ashley-Pitt shine in this film.
Good actors. Good script and great scenery all add up to an addictive film. I fall in love with Giacomo all over again. Marvel at Rickman’s ability to play such a despicable baddy and Selleck’s suitability for the western genre.
Not to forget my dismay at Bonner being a pretty good bad guy.
Prepare to cry a bit
We all have films we love. Movies that can be watched over and over. Quigley Down Under is my “forever” favourite. Everything clicks and I tear up each time I see the journey of not just Cora but also the native landowners in the film.
The film is meant to emotionally touch us and it succeeds. No matter how many times I watch it. Wincer, Hill and company they touch us “right there.”
On purpose.
The Verdict
In my humble opinion; Quigley Down Under is 5 star perfection. It is streaming on a number of platforms but for one with no commercials, head over to MGM +.
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