Paul Purcell Movies
Inspired by an epic poem by A.B. "Banjo" Patterson, The Man From Snowy River was a major step forward for the regenerated Australian film industry of the early '80s. This "down-under Western" spotlights Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig, a headstrong young man who goes to work for a powerful cattle baron. Burlinson falls in love with Jessica (Sigrid Thornton), his boss' daughter, and becomes enmeshed in a bitter land feud. Kirk Douglas has a high old time in the dual role of hard-hearted landowner Harrison and grizzled, one-legged old prospector Spur. Previously filmed in 1920, The Man From Snowy River was directed by the other George Miller, not the director of the same name who helmed Mad Max (1979). A monumental moneymaker, the film inspired a 1988 sequel, confusingly titled Return to Snowy River, Part II. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Jack Thompson, (more)
Actor Walter Matthau directed his first and only feature film with the black-and-white crime drama Gangster Story. In an unusual noncomedic role, Matthau plays Jack Martin, a local gangster who wants to run his own crime syndicate in the neighborhood run by Earl Dawson (Bruce McFarlan). They eventually team up and plan a heist. Carol Grace plays the reform-minded girlfriend. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Starring:
- Walter Matthau, Carol Grace, (more)
- 1953
Producer Sam Katzman once more rummages through stock footage from the 1953 Columbia costumer Salome and comes up with another "instant epic." Slaves of Babylon stars Richard Conte as Nahum, the muscular young representative of Hebrew leader Daniel (Maurice Schwartz). On behalf of his master, Nahum pulls strings so that Cyrus the Persian (Terence Kilburn) can reclaim Babylon from usurpers Balthasar (Michael Ansara) and Nebuchadnezzar (Leslie E. Bradley). Several Biblical incidents are thrown into the stew, with the added ingredient of a romance between Nahum and one "Princess Panthea" (Linda Christian). For another viewpoint of the historical events offered herein, the reader is referred to D. W. Griffith's Intolerance (1916). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Richard Conte, Linda Christian, (more)
