What a gorgeous EPIC film! This is one of the Australian Film Industry's most beautifully made really BIG films of the 70s...and also one of its almost completely forgotten. Made at a time when there were many period piece films THE IRISHMAN is actually the very best of them. Somewhere between Picnic At hanging Rock and Gallipoli Australia musty have produced 20 horsey movies set in the country. Sadly, in its day, it was just another film, but seen apart from the mob, this one is the most perfectly photographed, heartfelt, optimistic and realistic family features made in this country. Unrelentingly exquisite to watch, with engaging and genuine characters and a sensational cast, THE IRISHMAN is the one Australian film from the late 70s that deserves a major re discovery. A widescreen DVD of this film will be late entry masterpiece into everyone's collection. Apparently the archive in Australia is about to produce a new 35mm print and I can only say it will be one of their most satisfying parts of the collection possible. It may not be available internationally for a while, but collectors from the US and UK and European countries should track this down and buy a copy. One day.
3 Reviews
An attempt at a pioneer epic, but it falls short
PeterM2716 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This film seems to take Gone With The Wind as its model for an epic story of a family facing adversity in difficult times. But although much effort has been taken to recapture the feel of old Australia, with costumes, horses, buildings, furnishings, technology and all that, this film falls flat in the drama department, often lapsing into melodrama and stilted interactions between characters who have not been fully drawn.
Part of the trouble is that the main character, Paddy, is not the pig-headed but likeable family man he should have been - he is pig-headed, but unfortunately not very likeable. The sons are slightly more sympathetic, but their mother, played by fine theatre actress Robin Nevin, isn't given much to do but weep and be a pillar of strength.
The film is made up of a series of events to illustrate the life of the time: the race-meeting, the mine collapse and rescue operation, the local dance, the sons' new jobs, the cattle rustling etc.
Despite the presence of an array of talented actors, such as Tony Barry, Bryan Brown, Simon Burke, and Gerard Kennedy, none of these episodes raises much drama, and one potentially significant moment, when the older son impregnates a black servant, is virtually ignored.
This is a disappointing follow-up to Crombie's debut film Caddie.
Part of the trouble is that the main character, Paddy, is not the pig-headed but likeable family man he should have been - he is pig-headed, but unfortunately not very likeable. The sons are slightly more sympathetic, but their mother, played by fine theatre actress Robin Nevin, isn't given much to do but weep and be a pillar of strength.
The film is made up of a series of events to illustrate the life of the time: the race-meeting, the mine collapse and rescue operation, the local dance, the sons' new jobs, the cattle rustling etc.
Despite the presence of an array of talented actors, such as Tony Barry, Bryan Brown, Simon Burke, and Gerard Kennedy, none of these episodes raises much drama, and one potentially significant moment, when the older son impregnates a black servant, is virtually ignored.
This is a disappointing follow-up to Crombie's debut film Caddie.
Great film 👍🏼
barryaldis22 September 2019
Found this just scrolling through Netflix and thought well that looks like a load of rubbish. So I stuck it on for a laugh 😆! Next minute I'm half way through the film loving every minute of it.
What a great film, certainly one I would watch again in a few years.
Really enjoyed that, they say sometimes good comes from bad, if you get my meaning.
Hence 10/10 Thank you 🙏
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