Quigley Down Under
(1990)
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Quigley (Tom Selleck) is an American sharpshooter imported from the heat and dust of the Old West to the heat and dust of the Australian outback to fight off wild dogs with his six foot rifle. Upon arrival, he learns he's been hired to kill Aborigines by a heartless rancher, which disgusts Quigley, so he runs off into the bush with a beautiful woman he's rescued. The local aboriginals discover him, and help him and the woman survive in the outback long enough for Quigley to return and seek vengeance. |
Entertaining attempt to transplant the western genre down under with a grizzled Tom Selleck as the laid-back sharpshooter who rebels against Australian land baron Alan Rickman, who wants him for a little Aborigine genocide. Director Simon Wincer earned his spurs with the epic miniseries Lonesome Dove, and he makes full use of the grand Australian locations. Selleck is likable enough in the title role, but unwittingly joins the list of Hollywood stars who have been effortlessly upstaged by Rickman, who delivers another wonderfully villainous performance.