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The Sundowners (1960), the story of Australian Outback sheep drover Paddy Carmody (Robert Mitchum) and his family's drama as they struggle to keep beans in the pot and deal with a son who is tired of not having a home, seems somewhat boring on first look. Stick around though and Mitchum and Deborah Kerr's grand performances soon have you waiting to catch sheered wool.
The only thing Paddy Carmody knows is how to drive and sheer sheep. That requires him to follow the dusty Australian trails to the next ranch needing his services. So far his faithful wife, Ida (Kerr), has wholeheartedly supported him.
Michael Anderson Jr.
Living the rugged life, however, is catching up to them to all. Ida is tired of cooking out of two pots and gets that settling-down feeling when they camp on the edge of a property where a lovely ranch house is for sale. Sean (Michael Anderson Jr., The Sons of Katie Elder), the couple's teenage son, also is tired of being alone, not having friends and being able to attend a real school.
John Wayne and Deborah Kerr
Mitchum (Ryan's Daughter) and Kerr (The Night of the Iguana) are both excellent as their battle of wills emerge. Like a coal-driven train gaining steam, their bickering starts small and soon escalates and each actor captures the transformation perfectly.
The movie takes on a quirky turn when Rupert Venneker (Peter Ustinov) enters the picture. He's another roundabout whom Paddy offers a job and soon can't get rid of him. He actually meets Paddy in the saloon where he likes to tip one too many and sing. 'That's my dad singing," explains Sean.
"Is it? I'm very sorry to hear that. He has a most disagreeable voice doesn't he?" says Rupert who brings a freshness to the family unit and encourages Paddy to buy the house and settle down. He agrees, and Ida works hard to save the money. When they spend the first night in the house the day before Paddy will sign the papers, harmony is as sweet as the big Australian moon.
The house the Carmody's want to buy
That unity is short lived as Paddy hits the saloon during the night and gambles his money away. The family must hit the road again, but the atmosphere is different. If this had happened 50 years later Paddy would have waved good-bye to his wife and son as they left him. But in this era and particularly the Australian outback, this just didn't happen, and as disappointed as Ida is, she still loves her man.
Paddy realizes this and sets out to work harder for his family. They face more trials including a major fire that almost takes Paddy's life. The drama is lightened by several subplots such as when Rupert contemplates marring a very funny and quite unique barmaid (Glynis Johns, Mary Poppins), and the big sheering contest where Paddy faces off with one of the best. Peter Ustinov (Spartacus) is a real hoot in the film.
Peter Ustinov
Glynsis Johns
I enjoyed following the story, and some of the realistic backdrops of Australia where the film was partially shot. What did bother me were occasional shots of wildlife scenes of animals that didn't fit that particular area they were too obviously just edited in to give the feeling of realism. This annoyed me every time it happened, and was my only disappointment with Fred Zinnemann's direction.
The only other disappointment was that Mitchum didn't receive a nomination for his performance. Mitchum is often so good he's invisible, but in The Sundowners, he presents a tough my-way-or-the-highway attitude that then mellows allowing his vulnerability to steer his character. He deserved a nomination.
The Sundowners received four Academy-award nominations; Best Picture-Fred Zinnemann, Best Director-Fred Zinnemann, Best Actress in a Leading Role-Deborah Kerr and Best Actress in a Supporting Role-Glynis Johns.
I think this character-driven story is quite interesting in showing how these drovers lived and made their living and is entertaining enough to own this DVD, especially for the lead actors' fine performances.
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Writer: John Cleary - novel, Isobel Lennart - screenplay
Cast Members: Robert Mitchum, Deborah Kerr, Peter Ustinov, Glynis Johns, Dina Merrill, Chips Rafferty, Michael Anderson Jr., Lola Brooks
Rating: unrated - okay for over 13
Run Time: 133 minutes
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Format: Color, Widescreen
The Sundowners is part of Warner Bros.' Robert Mitchum Signature Collection and includes Angel Face, Macao, Home from the Hill, The Good Guys and The Bad Guys, Yakuza.
Special Features
Vintage Featurette On Location with the Sundowners - novelist John Cleary narrates this documentary type featurette that includes making of images, Cleary talking about the story and the movie and how elements transitioned. The segment includes part zoology bits about Australia's creatures and news bits about droving and sheering.
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Photo credits: Warner Home Video
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