The popularity of the western genre died out in the 1970's, but a few gems have managed to creep out over the years since. One of these is the little seen Quigley Down Under which tried to capitalise on the post Magnum P.I, Three Men & A Baby appeal of leading man Tom Selleck who plays the title role with his trademark rugged masculinity and stoic, charismatic, laconic attitude.
While the story is nothing special Quigley Down Under does have plenty to recommend it. The story is spiced up by this being an Australian set 'western' and having the hero being a skilled rifelman rather than the usual cliched gunslinger, David (Mad Max) Eggby's cinematography perfectly capture that sunsoaked, dusty, wild west look, director Simon (Lonesome Dove) Wincer finds the perfect tonal balance between action, drama and humour, and composer Basil (RoboCop) Poledouris delivers possibly his best ever score which ramps the movie quality up 50% just with its very presence. Let's not forget the spunky Laura San Giacomo as the insane-or-is-she Crazy Cora and the unbeatable Alan Rickman doing one of his slimy masterclasses in villainy from the early 90's era.
Old fashioned, leisurely paced and a dingo load of fun, Quigley Down Under still rules.
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