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Lack of good storyline.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

In 1880s Australia when young Jim Craig's father dies Jim takes a job at the Harrison cattle ranch and he is forced to become a man.The screenplay contains numerous references to Banjo Paterson, aside from using his poem "The Man from Snowy River" as the source material and his inclusion as a character in the film. For example, the numerous references to the late Matilda are likely a reference to the song "Waltzing Matilda", which was written by Paterson. In addition, the melody for "Waltzing Matilda" can be heard near the end of the film.What I find really unfortunate about this film is that I was expecting a western, and it really isn't one beyond the setting of a cattle ranch. That's not the film's fault, but going in expecting a western and then sitting through an overly sentimental, romantic drama is quite a change. I guess the film received positive reviews, but again, for me, it is overly sentimental. It's just bizarrely exaggerated.

Clint Eastwood and Unforgiven be damned. This is by far the best western of the modern era. Its an Aussie tale, but that does not disqualify it in my books. Lonesome Dove has its group as does Unforgiven. But George Miller's The Man from Snowy River is downright majestic. There are no stagecoaches, revenge killings, poker games or joking jail hands. There isn't even a climactic standoff in a dusty old town. But there is the hand of a maiden to win and inner demons to slay. The climax isn't a shoot out with a band of criminals, but with a stallion and a lonely ride down a rocky mountain. Director George Miller draws clear characters and honest human situations. He understands what a camera can do. Scenes of great power play out not in a tired miasma of gunfire or hokey soliloquies, but in the striations of muscle from a horse powering through rock in slow motion. George Miler is a poet. And the Man from Snowy River is a story that will stand the test of time. See it.

After his widower father dies in a horsing accident, young Tom Burlinson (as Jim Craig) is left to manage his Australian "Snowy River" farm, with only wizened, peg-legged prospector Kirk Douglas (as Spur) to help. Times are hard, so Mr. Burlinson goes to work for Mr. Douglas' wealthy, silver-haired brother rancher "Mr. Harrison" (also played by Kirk Douglas). When a big job comes up, the silver-haired (older?) Douglas feels Burlinson is too young and inexperienced to go along; so, Burlinson stays behind, and falls in love with the boss' daughter, Sigrid Thornton (as Jessica Harrison).The least satisfactory aspect of director George Miller's "The Man from Snowy River" is a weak storyline. Observe, for example, the "Jessica is lost" sequence of events. The damsel gets lost in one of those "freak" storms, while running away. Her worried father rounds up a posses of drunk men to find her, after predicting bad weather. Damsel "Jessica" rolls herself on to the edge of a conveniently appearing cliff. Father and the suddenly sober men don't check Burlinson's farm. Hero Burlinson discovers the damsel. After building a fire, he decides to kiss her.The "romance" is played too innocently for as obvious an attracted man and woman as Burlinson and Ms. Thornton. To make matters worse, the Douglas brothers have a "dark history" which is revealed before any mystery is built up regarding the matter. The main attraction, herein, is the Australian scenery.**** The Man from Snowy River (3/25/82) George Miller ~ Tom Burlinson, Kirk Douglas, Sigrid Thornton

This is a great true-blue Aussie tale of the legendary bushman "The Man From Snowy River" and his fictional exploits in capturing the colt from "Old Regret" (as told of in the famous poem by A.B. "Banjo" Patterson).Bruce Rowland has provided a classic, at times rousing score while lenser Keith Wagstaff breathes life into some spectacular and exciting scenery from the Victorian high country. In fact the spectacular stunts (involving some daring, outlandish riding) and amazing cinematography are the definite highlights. John Dixon and Fred Cullen have developed a reasonable, though at times melodramatic, screenplay, however it is the eye catching horsemanship that's really worth waiting for.Tom Burlinson is well suited to the role of young Jim Craig, whose self belief is not at all misplaced, and Sigrid Thornton makes a fine feisty heroine. Good support comes from Lorraine Bayly and Chris Haywood, with especially enjoyable, though short, turns from Gus Mercurio and Jack Thompson - the latter as legendary "Clancy of the Overflow". The star import is veteran American actor Kirk Douglas, who does well as twin brothers Harrison and Spur, two aging gents who had a terrible falling out several years ago. While he is convincing on screen, Douglas was apparently not very happy with the pressure of having just two or three takes to get things right. He reputedly changed some of his lines, and is even said to have stormed off on a nag at the completion of filming. Perhaps his failure to return for the sequel is confirmation of his dissatisfaction.Sunday, December 17, 1995 - Video