John Hargreaves Movies
At his career's peak during the late '80s and early '90s, John Hargreaves was among his native Australia's most popular actors. He was the only actor to receive the Byron Kennedy Award, one of Australia's highest civilian awards that is given to people who exemplify the pursuit of excellence. A graduate of Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art, class of 1970, Hargreaves launched his film career with The Removalists (1974), an adaptation of David Williamson's play. He made his sophomore appearance in another film version of a Williamson play, Don's Party, this time under director Bruce Beresford. Hargreaves has not only gone on to star in numerous Australian films, he has also appeared in many international productions, notably, Richard Attenborough's Cry Freedom (1987) and Hotel Sorrento (1995). Other awards won by Hargreaves include Best Actor for My First Wife (1984), and two Best Supporting Actor awards from the Australian Film Institute for Careful, He Might Hear You (1984) and Malcolm (1986). His last appearance was a cameo in Paul Cox's Lust and Revenge (1996). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Dennis Hopper plays the title character in this true story of a 19th-century Australian gold-digger who is pressed into a life of crime. A six-year stint in jail doesn't provide reform, but does introduce him to an Aboriginal partner-in-crime (David Gulpilil). The duo then proceed to terrorize the province of New South Wales with no lack of violence. The TV version was retitled Mad Dog. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Hopper, Jack Thompson, (more)
- 1976
Two veterans of Vietnam special-forces (John Hargreaves, Grant Page) have retired to the relatively painless field of stuntwork. They return to active duty, however, when the Australian government hires them to retrieve documents and destroy the fortress of a Filipino overlord. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Hargreaves, Grant Page, (more)
Early in his career, Australian director Bruce Beresford helmed Don's Party, which closely mirrors Shampoo in its basic premise and its edgy correlations between sex and politics. One pivotal election night, Don, played by John Hargreaves, throws a party for a group of friends, ostensibly so that everyone can watch the ballots roll in on television. But when booze is consumed in quantity, inhibitions are kicked downstairs. Particularly boorish under the influence of alcohol are Don's male friends, who indulge in a barrage of insulting verbal attacks on each other when they aren't trying to get each other's wives into bed. Unapologetically adult in its content and themes, Don's Party was adapted from a play by David Williamson; it marks one of the earliest classics of Australian New Wave cinema. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ray Barrett, Clare Binney, (more)
- 1975
In this adaptation of an Australian play, a police officer swears that never in 23 years on the force has he had to use his gun. A rookie is assigned to him, and soon they are both bored to death with watching television and working crosswords. They get a little excitement when a woman and her sister come into to complain that her husband has been beating her. The woman desperately wants to leave him, but cannot because he will not allow her to have the furniture. This inspires the lead cop to go to the apartment and tie up the abuser while the woman takes the furniture. They then proceed to beat the stuffing out of the man until he is near death. To ensure that he keeps silent about the beating, the cops agree to take the man out for a few drinks. During their night, battered wife beater keels over and dies. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Hargreaves, Peter Cummins, (more)
This 1973 adaptation of the oft-filmed Miguel de Cervantes novel about an aging Spanish gentlemen attempting to relive the age of chivalry is actually a filmed record of the ballet version, created in 1869 by choreographer Marius Petipa and composer Ludwig Minkus. The ballet concentrates on a barber named Basilio, who wins the hand of his lady love with the help of knight-errant Don Quixote. The film was co-directed by Rudolf Nureyev and Robert Helpmann, who dance the leading roles of Basilio and Quixote. Others in the company are Ray Powell as Sancho Panza and Lucette Aldous as Kitty. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
One of several feature film versions of the late 19th century novel by Rolf Boldrewood, this frontier adventure is set not in the Wild West of the U.S., but in the equally untamed Australian Outback of the same era. Two brothers, Jim (David McCallum) and Dick Marsten (Ronald Lewis) follow in their father's footsteps by leaving home to seek adventure as gunfighters. They become outlaws in the roving band led by stylish Captain Starlight (Peter Finch), who leads them on a series of escapades robbing banks and rustling cattle. Though they find the excitement and romance they craved, the Marstens soon become disillusioned with a life on the run and begin to wish that they could resume the mantle of honest, hard-working citizens. Unfortunately, events transpire to put the entire Starlight gang out of operation before the brothers can recommence their formerly law-abiding ways. Produced by Britain's Rank Organization, Robbery Under Arms (1957) was followed by a television series remake in 1985 and a handful of other films set against the colorful backdrop of the Australian frontier, including The Man from Snowy River (1982) and Quigley Down Under (1990). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Finch, Ronald Lewis, (more)
