Jon Sidney Movies
- 1987
- PG
An elite Australian cavalry unit attacks the Turkish-held stronghold of Beersheba in this World War I adventure drama. Four friends goes through the trials of battle in this epic $10 million production. The Australians resent being led by the British who continually misuse the cavalry. They conspire to strike out on their own to prove their effectiveness and drive the Turkish hordes from the desert town. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Blake, Peter Phelps, (more)
- 1986
Well-interpreted, with an emphasis on dialogue over action, this drama about political scandal in high places was written by Michael Gurr, based on his stage play. Presley Swift (Michael Duffield) the retired, former Australian ambassador to Italy, is about to return to Rome to relocate with his wife Sylvia (Patricia Kennedy)The couple has gone to spend their last week-end in the country with their son Simon (Serge Lazareff), who is also involved in the world of politics. Joining them is Frances (June Jago), an old friend. That week-end, a shameful story breaks -- they are informed by the press that a long-buried story is about to surface which implicates Presley Swift in the death of a young girl. The tragedy had been covered up at the time it happened, and is about to bring about strong reactions in the former ambassador's son (who is worried about his own political career), and in the couple's friend Frances (who cannot forgive the betrayal of her trust). ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patricia Kennedy, June Jago, (more)
- 1985
- R
Based on a true story about the execution of a psychopathic American G.I. by the U.S. Army in 1942, this wartime drama opens in Melbourne, Australia. U.S. forces and the Australians are at loggerheads, and this antagonism reaches a flash point when Edward J. Leonski (Reb Brown) is spotted running away from the scene of a brutal murder. That action sparks a gun battle between American and Aussie soldiers at a train station that makes it seem as if the two nations are at war with each other. U.S. Major Patrick Dannenberg (James Coburn) covers up the shooting incident and puts top priority on hunting down the killer. It is suggested that orders from the highest echelons of the U.S. military demanded the execution of the killer in order to preserve a working relationship with the Australians. Meanwhile, Aussie Detective Sgts. Adams (Bill Hunter) and Martin (Maurie Fields) are also looking for the murderer, hoping to bring him to justice in an Australian court of law. When Leonski's roommate belatedly turns him in, his attorney gets seriously ill and Major Dannenberg has to take over his defense. There is no doubt the man is mentally unbalanced, as witnessed by his behavior in Melbourne's bars and brothels in the first half of the movie. At the trial, Dannenberg unsuccessfully argues for his client's internment in an asylum for the criminally insane. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Coburn, Reb Brown, (more)
When Angela (Sigrid Thornton) becomes successful, the former hairdresser's assistant has to deal with the reactions of her old friends to her new situation. She also must deal with romantic advances from an older woman. Nonetheless, she is plucky and confident enough to manage. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chantal Contouri, Sigrid Thornton, (more)
