The Sundowners

I would love to sit and watch this film with an Aussie. That's because as an American, I don't know enough to know how accurate this movie is--and if the accents of all the non-Australians in the leads are even close to being correct.

This film is about a family of migrant workers--not a lazy 'sundowner' (see the IMDb trivia for more on this). They travel across Australia driving and shearing sheep to make a few quid--always on the move and no permanent home of their own. As for the husband (Robert Mitchum), he loves this sort of life with few responsibilities. But the wife (Deborah Kerr) is getting tired and sees a need to settle down and finally have a house of their own--especially since their son is getting older and wants some permanence in his life. The vast majority of the film, though, is almost like a documentary--showing what the life is like--like you get a little window into their migrant ways.

This is a well made film. The acting, direction and music are all quite nice. My only serious qualm is that the film is slow and I know many folks simply wouldn't sit still for such a seemingly mundane plot. But, if you are patient, it's well worth your time.

Set in Australia in the 1920s,this wonderful movie tells the story of sheepdrover Mitchum, wife Kerr and son Anderson, drifting through the Australian wilderness,never settling down.Tired of constantly being on the move Kerr wants a home for her family,but Mitchum is insensitive to his family's wishes.

Deborah Kerr gives a fantastic performance that brings to life even the inner emotions of her character.She's never been better.Robert Mitchum is very believable in his assignment.It's perhaps one of his most complex roles.Also Peter Ustinov scores a triumph:A man too irresponsible to have a family of his own,and therefore clings to Mitchum and Kerr's family. The story isn't much on paper,but Fred Zinnemann's imaginative direction gives the incidents the needed emotions. Beautiful cinematography and sock performances from the rest of the cast makes this a movie you shouldn't miss.

Desptite the "struggles over accents", the dramaturgy went along well and the stringing together of the events in the lives of the Carmody family kept me watching and enjoying what came along. The sheep shearing was believable, and Mitchum's exhaustion was realistic and was genuine.

Debora Kerr's wife was what I, as a male, sympathized with. Tis is not comparable to "Thousand Mile Fence"having to do with Aboriginal experiences. In a way it is a mirror of it in those who had taken over the land in their struggles to survive. My wife and I were there a few years ago, on the east coast, the barrier reef from Kairns down to Sydney, never getting to the outback, so after that we watched every Australian film we could.

I was a bit disturbed to see a rather vitriolic, negative review of this film. The Sundowners has its faults, and is probably not in "must see" category, but it entertains, pleases and amuses. Its genre should probably be called "adventure lite"...the drama keeps you engaged, but doesn't get the adrenaline going.

The acting is solid (in particular, Ustinov really "completes" the cast nicely), the cinematography is excellent and all in all, it's a good film for a rainy night. I'd agree with the poster who pointed out that you probably won't want to watch it over and over again, but to me, this isn't necessarily a knock on it; after all, think how tedious it would be if all films were as arcane as, say, "Pulp Fiction."

A solid 7 out of 10.

A great old fashion film , defined by inspired acting and admirable locations, by smart crafted story and about small things, defining Australians simple people - and not only - in essential traits of life.

A film wise for the honest portrait of a reality easy to be recognized, in a form or other, by large audience.

Maybe, this is the basic virtue of The Sundowners - proposing the truths defining each character, truths reflected by ordinary situations, by hard work, dreams, projects, a money jar and an Englishman living as a tortue in Australia.

Splendid portrait of determined Ida offered by great Deborrah Kerr .

In short, just a great movie.