Bush Christmas (1983)

There are gains and losses in this remake of the 1947 Rank Organization black-and-white version directed by Ralph Smart. Shot in the Beaudesert region of Queensland the landscape seems less prominent, that is, less dramatically relevant, than in the original, colour photography notwithstanding, although the story, about a group of kids who save their family farm by rounding up a pair of horse thieves (John Ewart and John Howard), remains pretty much the same.

Gone is the charmingly classical “storybook” tone of the UK version, Safran and writer Ted Roberts appropriately adopting a more naturalistic and idiomatic style, ditching the paternalistic voice-over of the original and giving a more prominent role to the Aboriginal community including various references to their culture. Depending on one's preferences, the net effect is arguably about the same and the film stands up well as children’s entertainment, also being of note as the feature film debut for a 16-year old Nicole Kidman.

DVD Extras: Script and Press Kit; Stills Gallery; Theatrical Trailer

Available from: Umbrella Entertainment

 

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