SVS: “The Man From Snowy River”

Earlier this year, I wrote a post professing my affection for — perhaps, even, my infatuation with — Bruce Rowland’s wonderful work on the soundtrack for The Man From Snowy River. Toward the end of that same May post, I expressed my disappointment over — perhaps, even, my volcanic rage at — the fact that the film itself was not readily available for streaming.

I am happy to report that this frustration is no longer applicable. It is currently streaming on both NETFLIX INSTANT and AMAZON PRIME. And can be rented and/or purchased from AMAZON($) and VUDU($) and SOME OTHERS($).

On an Australian cattle ranch, a young man fights for his honor when he is caught in the middle of a land dispute and is accused of losing a prized horse.

It’s a huge favorite in the Susanka Household, as it would be (I suspect) in nearly any mostly-young-male, majorly-music-loving, always-in-motion household. And it’s not hard to see why, really. The story’s pretty straightforward (but great). The scenery’s spectacular (and great). The horses and horseback riding are spellbinding (and, therefore, great). And Kirk Douglas is great (and great).

…but all those things pale in comparison to the film’s unforgettable — perhaps, even, cinematically transcendent — moment: Jim’s Ride. IMDB’s trivia page has a few (nearly unbelievable) comments on the scene, which I’m including below. (If you have seen the film, you’ll love this moment all over again. If you have not yet seen the film, don’t watch it. Much better in context. And also, WATCH the film ALREADY.)

Tom Burlinson had never ridden horses much before making this movie , but he performed all his own horse riding stunts in the film. When he took Denny over the cliff to go after the brumbies that was a one-take shot at full gallop down the cliff face.

Attribution(s): Theatrical poster, publicity images, and film stills are the property of 20th Century Fox and other respective production studios and distributors, and are intended for editorial use only.