Return to Snowy River (1988)

Tom Burlinson is Jim Craig, and he’s rounded up 100 horses, enough to give himself and Jessica Hamilton a good start toward a life of their own.

But when he returns for a reunion with his lady love, he finds he still isn’t welcome at the Hamilton home, at least not by her father (Brian Dennehy).

He’s a Snowy River commoner. The woman he wants to court is part of the Australian aristocracy.

Even strong-willed Jessica (Sigrid Thorton) questions why he’s been gone so long.

And there’s a rival for Jessica’s hand in the form of Alistair Patton (Nicholas Eadie). He’s the son of a banker whose financing Hamilton relies on for his ranching ventures.

Jessica doesn’t want a marriage with Patton. But she’s not sure she wants a future with Craig either, fearing the implications if might have on him and her father should the Pattons become vengeful.

When she eventually gives in and leaves home for a life with the man from Snowy River, those fears prove well founded.

Because if Alistair can’t have the woman of his dreams, he intends to quash Jim Craig’s dreams of a successful horse ranch in the north country.

So he hires a band of ruffians and sets out to rustle Jim Craig’s herd of horses.

Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig, his reunion with Jessica turning out not quite as joyous as he had hope in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Sigrid Thornton as Jessica Hamilton, thrilled to see Jim Craig again in spite of her father’s feelings in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Review:

Considering how big a hit “The Man from Snowy River” was, it’s a bit of a surprise that it took six years for the sequel to come together.

When it did, Kirk Douglas opted not to return in the role of Hamilton unless he could direct the film, according to IMDb.

Instead, Brian Dennehy took on the role of Jessica’s father. And Hamilton’s brother Spur was killed off, just before gold was struck on the land he’d been mining for decades.

Both casting changes were unfortunate.

What’s fortunate is that Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton returned to the role of the young lovers. And that the same remarkable cinematography that helped make the first film such a success is present here.

And those two ingredients are enough to make this a thoroughly enjoyable Western from down under.

Nicholoas Eadie as Alistair Patton, the young aristocrat who hopes to win Jessica’s hand in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Brian Dennehy as Harrison, issuing a stay-away warning to Jim Craig in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Directed by:
Geoff Burrowes

Cast:
Tom Burlinson … Jim Craig
Sigrid Thornton … Jessica
Brian Dennehy … Harrison
Nicholas Eadie … Alistair Patton
Mark Hembrow … Seb
Bryan Marshall … Harry Hawker
Rhys McConnochie … Patton Snr.
Pete Cummins … Jake
Cornelia Frances … Mrs. Darcy
Tony Barry … Jacko
Wyn Roberts … Priest
Alec Wilson … Patton’s croney
Peter Browns … Reilly
Alan Hopgood … Simmons
Mark Pennell … Collins
Charlie Lovick … Charlie
Wayne Lovick … Jacko’s son
Greg Stroud … Jockey

Runtime: 99 min.

aka:
The Man from Snowy River II

Rhys McConnochie as Mr. Patton, a banker plotting financing and their children’s future with Hamilton in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Bryan Marshall as Harry Hawker, the government agent willing to give the northerners a chance at a horse contract in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Memorable lines:

Jessica: “I want to know why you were away for so long, Jim.”
Jim Craig: “I told you: to get a start for us.”
Jessica: “Why is accumulating things so damned important?”
Jim: “Because I’ve seen the lack of it. And I don’t want that for you.”

Bar patron to Alistair Patton: “What did your daddy give you for Christmas this year, mate?”
Alistair Patton, kicking over his chair: “A healthy dislike for dimwits.”

Mr. Patton: “None of this would have happened if you’d been capable of controlling your daughter.”
Harrison: “It’s not Jessica who’s rampaging around out there like some spoiled child.”

Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig and Sigrid Thornton as Jessica, reaffirming their love just before being interrupted by her father in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig, hunting down a renegade black stallion in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Mark Hembrow as Seb, the young man who watches over Jim Craig’s ranch while he’s away in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Pete Cummins as Jake, a leader of the north country ranchers, warning Jim Craig not to make trouble in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig with the black stallion that helps save his horse herd in Return to Snowy River (1988)

Tom Burlinson as JIm Craig and Sigrid Thornton as Jessica, learning of possible trouble headed their way in Return to Snowy River (1988)