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The Sundowners (1960 film)

From Alfawiki
The Sundowners
Company typeFilm
IndustryFilm industry
Founded1960
FounderFred Zinnemann (director and producer)
ProductsFilm

The Sundowners is a 1960 Technicolor comedy-drama film set in the 1920s Australian outback, portraying a family torn between the father's itinerant sheep-herding existence and his wife and son's desire for stability. Directed and produced by Fred Zinnemann, the screenplay, adapted by Isobel Lennart, is based on Jon Cleary's 1952 novel bearing the same title. The film features performances by Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, Peter Ustinov, Glynis Johns, Mervyn Johns, Dina Merrill, Michael Anderson Jr., and Chips Rafferty.

In 2019, FilmInk included it among the "50 meat pie Westerns".

At the 33rd Academy Awards, The Sundowners earned a nomination for Best Picture. Additionally, Kerr was nominated for Best Actress, Johns for Best Supporting Actress, Zinnemann for Best Director, and Lennart for Best Adapted Screenplay; however, the film did not secure any wins.

Plot

Paddy Carmody, an Irish-Australian sheep drover and shearer, travels across the outback with his wife Ida and their son Sean. Living as sundowners, they constantly move from place to place, setting up camp each evening. While Ida and Sean yearn to establish roots, Paddy’s restless spirit keeps them on the road. During their journey through the bush, they encounter Rupert Venneker, an Englishman whom they hire to assist in driving a large flock of sheep to the town of Cawndilla. Along the way, they endure a perilous bushfire.

Mrs. Firth, who runs the local pub, takes a liking to Rupert. He spends nights with her but, like Paddy, resists settling permanently.

Ida convinces Paddy to accept a shearing position at a station where she prepares meals; Rupert works as a wool roller, and Sean acts as a tar boy. Ida forms a friendship with Jean Halstead, the lonely wife of their employer. When Bluey Brown’s pregnant wife Liz arrives unexpectedly, Ida offers support during her childbirth.

Ida diligently saves their income toward purchasing a farm they briefly stayed at during their drive. Although Paddy agrees to compete in a shearing contest against his rivals, he nearly withdraws six weeks into the season but remains after Ida encourages him. Ultimately, he is defeated by a more seasoned shearer.

Paddy fulfills a long-held ambition by winning money and acquiring a racehorse through playing two-up. They name the horse Sundowner and enter it in local races with Sean as jockey; they win their initial race.

Ida persuades Paddy to invest in the farm she and Sean long for; however, he squanders all her savings gambling in one night. To make amends, he arranges to sell Sundowner if the horse wins its upcoming race. Although Sundowner crosses the finish line first, it is disqualified due to interference, causing the sale to fall through. Despite this disappointment, Paddy’s remorse helps restore his relationship with Ida, and together they commit to saving enough money to purchase a farm in the future.

Cast

Production

Fred Zinnemann chose to adapt the story after Dorothy Hammerstein, the second spouse of Oscar Hammerstein II, mistakenly sent him a copy of The Sundowners instead of The Shiralee. He promptly secured the film rights and took on the role of producer. Initially, Aaron Spelling was hired to write the screenplay but was later replaced by Isobel Lennart; nevertheless, Jon Cleary reportedly had a substantial influence on the script despite Lennart receiving official credit. The conclusion of the film paid homage to John Huston's The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

Originally, Gary Cooper was cast in the role of Paddy Carmody but withdrew due to health concerns. Robert Mitchum stepped in as his replacement, accepting the part partly for the chance to work alongside Deborah Kerr, with whom he had formed a friendship during Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison. Mitchum also agreed that Kerr would receive top billing. The role of their son was played by Michael Anderson, Jr., who was brought over from England.

Zinnemann was adamant about shooting on location in Australia, dismissing Jack L. Warner's suggestion to film in Arizona or Texas for budget reasons. While interior scenes were completed at Associated British Picture Corporation's Elstree Studios in England, exterior shots took place at multiple Australian sites such as Carriewerloo, Cooma, Hawker, Iron Knob, Jindabyne, Nimmitabel, Port Augusta, Quorn, and Whyalla. The property marked "for sale" in the movie was situated near Old Jindabyne along the Snowy River.

This project was part of a late-1950s surge of international films produced in Australia. Filming commenced in 1959; Zinnemann dedicated 12 weeks to capturing landscapes and sheep herding before the actors arrived in October. Production faced delays due to varying weather conditions—from intense heat and humidity to cold rain—which caused some frustration among both cast and crew. Mitchum dealt with persistent fan attention and ultimately moved onto a boat to maintain privacy. Shooting wrapped up on 17 December 1959. Several Australian performers appeared in supporting roles.

Ray Austin managed stunt coordination, while future filmmaker Nicolas Roeg, known for Walkabout, worked as a second unit cameraman.

Reception

During its debut at Radio City Music Hall, Bosley Crowther of The New York Times commended the film as "particularly fitting entertainment for the Christmas season," praising its vitality, originality, and energetic sequences such as sheep driving, shearing, and horse racing. He also emphasized the touching human moments that reveal the characters’ emotional depth.

Box office

Promoted as a "modern take" on From Here to Eternity, The Sundowners did not achieve strong financial results in the United States. Nevertheless, it entered the top 10 at the UK box office and ranked as the third-highest grossing Australian film in 1961. In 1961, Kinematograph Weekly designated it a "money maker" at British cinemas.

33rd Academy Awards

Additional accolades and distinctions

In February 2020, New York Magazine featured The Sundowners among "The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars."

External links

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