Bush Christmas
| Bush Christmas | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Henri Safran |
| Written by | Ted Roberts |
| Starring |
John Ewart John Howard Nicole Kidman Mark Spain James Wingrove |
| Music by | The Bushwackers |
| Distributed by | Barron Films Umbrella Entertainment |
|
Release date
|
1983 |
|
Running time
|
91 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | A$950,000 |
| Box office | $122,035 (Australia) |
Bush Christmas (also known as Prince and the Great Race) is a 1983 Australian Christmas drama film and a remake of a 1947 film of the same name, which was based on a novel by Ralph Smart and Mary Cathcart Borer. The film marked actress Nicole Kidman's first feature film role. It was filmed on location on the Lamington Plateau, Queensland. It is also notable for music by The Bushwackers.
In rural Australia the Thompson family struggle to keep their farm from foreclosure. The family is placing its hopes on their horse, Prince, winning the New Year's Cup and using the winnings to pay off the debt. Two struggling lowlifes Bill and Sly (John Ewart and John Howard) find out about the horse and steal it, escaping into the nearby mountain range.
With the father off droving cattle and all forms of transportation and communication made inoperable by Bill and Sly before their escape, the Thompson children Helen (Nicole Kidman) and John (Mark Spain), and their English cousin Michael (James Wingrove), saddle up their own horses and go after the crooks on their own. They are assisted by Manalpuy, a local Aboriginal who works on the farm.
At one stage Howard Rubie was announced as director and he was involved in casting. However, for a time it seemed the film might not go ahead so Rubie accepted a chance to direct The Settlement instead.
The movie was shot in Queensland in Beaudesert. Funding came in part from the Australian Film Commission, the Film and TV Institute (WA) and Queensland Film Corporation.
Bush Christmas grossed $122,035 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $322,172 in 2009 dollars.
Bush Christmas was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in December 2012. The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes special features such as the theatrical trailer, press kit stills and the script.
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