Geoff Burrowes takes us on a mandatory "Return to Snowy River" (the title used in the U.S.) in this expected sequel which is again a feast to the eyes as some superb cinematography treats us to spectacular views of rugged Aussie bushland, awesome ranges (the Snowy Mountains) and beautiful horses in full flight. This though would be the only reason to see "Snowy II", and for that, just the big screen will suffice.

The plot, which features a contrived, crowd pleasing ending, is an excuse to dredge old characters, situations and confrontations up again. Brian Dennehy can't replace old sour puss Kirk Douglas (no offense to Dennehy, a fine actor in his own right),and key support actors who made the first outing so enjoyable are missing here. We don't see Gus Mercurio nor Jack Thompson (Clancy of the Overflow) returning to Snowy River this time. Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton do little more than play out their roles, while new villain Nicholas Eadie is a foppish cad. Thank goodness for Bruce Rowland's grand music.

Monday, October 20, 1997 - Video

Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton return in their roles from The Man From Snowy River based on the A.B. Patterson epic poem about the Australian outback. Burlinson has proved himself to be a master of catching and taming the wild mustang known to us Yanks as Brumbies. Now he's back but her father is just as opposed to Burlinson marrying his daughter as he was in the first film.

Brian Dennehy takes over the role of the American migrant who came to Australia and made his fortune that Kirk Douglas played in The Man From Snowy River. But it was a dual part that Kirk played, he was also the ne'er do well brother who spent his life in the high country prospecting.

Some folks have all the luck, the twin brother died and on his property only feet from where he dug was a mother lode of a gold vein. His fellow prospectors inherited his land and truly share in his potential wealth. That's something resented by Dennehy and the landed gentry he's part of.

Dennehy has some respect for what Burlinson has done, but he sees Thornton as marrying up into society and maybe as a part of a merger of families. Like royalty so to speak.

The one he has in mind is the son of the local banker Nicholas Eadie who for our purposes is one Snidely Whiplash like villain.

Like The Man From Snowy River, Return From Snowy River captures well the flavor of the Australian frontier. Sad that Kirk Douglas couldn't return, but Brian Dennehy is a more than adequate substitute in the patriarchal role.

Just brush up a little on your Australian idioms and this is a well done story with a plot you'll recognize from a ton of American westerns.

This film, like the first one ("The Man From Snowy River") has the same good and bad features, perhaps even more so than the original. Unfortunately, the bad outweighs the good.

The GOOD - Magnificent scenery, better than the first film. I love those high country shots in Australia. Tom Burlinson is still a likable guy, as "Jim Craig." Bruce Rowland did a nice job with the music, too.

The BAD - Once again we get an extremely obnoxious feminist heroine "Jessica" (Sigrid Thornton) who is a world-class pouter with an extremely annoying face and manner about her. In this film, we also get a big downgrade in who pays the father. Previously it was Kirk Douglas, now replaced by the always -profane Brian Dennehy. Speaking of that, it is a disgrace that a Walt Disney film would includes usages of the Lord's name in vain. That was one reason was almost totally down the tubes in the 1980s. This film, like the first one