Starring: Chips Rafferty, John Fernside, Stan Tolhurst, Pat Penny, Thelma Grigg Directed By: Ralph Smart Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC Label: MGM (Video & DVD) Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: November 08, 2005 Running Time: 77 minutes Theatrical Release Date: 1947
Description: Four children...Two horse thieves...One amazing adventure! Saddle up and get ready to ride on a daredevil rescue mission that's a holiday delight! For four children in a small outback town, it's the last day of school and the first day of the Christmas season! So when they spy a pair of strangers hiding among the trees, they're too busy dreaming about the presents under their own tree to notice anything suspicious. But later that night, while the family is asleep, someone steals their father's prized horses. And to make matters worse, Dad's so upset that he decides to cancel the holiday altogether! But there's one thing the thieves didn't count on: these kids aren't about to let anyone steal their Christmas joy! Now with their saddlebags stocked full of hilarious tricks and traps,the amateur detectives head for the hills determined to catch the bad guys, bring back the horses and save the spirit of the season! Hit the trail for "humor, action and comedy" (The Film Daily) in this yuletide adventure that'll make every day seem like Christmas!
bush christmas I saw this film as a 13 year old in Holland, after migrating to Australia saw it several times and enjoyed it, am now 66 years old and still enjoy it
"Walkabout" for a Pre-Teen and Middle School Audience Don't be scared away by the title, "Bush Christmas" (1947) has nothing to do with George W. or his father. They are referring to the Australian "Bush" and this is a children's film that no doubt was a heavy influence on Nicholas Roeg"s "Walkabout" (1971); as well as its source novel by James Vance Marshall. In both a small band of children find themselves in the bush country and out of their element, getting survival tips from a native boy. "A Far Off Place" (1993) and "Alaska" (1996) also appropriated many elements of the story. "Bush Christmas" is the least gritty of the four films but the most believable and the least manipulative.
It should remind the viewer of the modern Australian television show "Saddle Club" as the kids are around horses all the time; even riding them to and from school. And the plot involves Grinch-inspired horse thieves who almost ruin Christmas for the family when they steal their prize mare, leaving her young colt behind. So the five children head into the bush to track down the horse thieves, while their parents and the police search for them. There is even a Ghost Town (also found in "Walkabout") although you have to suspend disbelief when the until now very perceptive children inexplicably take too long to recognize that the horse thieves are its only residents.
Worth noting is that Helen Grieve plays the only girl in this group of adventurous children but there is no condescension to her, she rides better than the boys and takes on a kind of "Wendy" from "Peter Pan" role in the group.
Christmas in the southern hemisphere is a summer event but the holiday is still celebrated with winter wonderland decorations, presents, and a tree.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
classic Australian beautiful story even though the language is a bit stilted. filmed at the end of WWII and just a nice kids adventure
"Bush Christmas" I enjoy this movie as much today as I did as a child. Oh how I envied the kids in the film. Riding to school on horseback. And having the adventure of a lifetime. All the while presenting a slice of life, during World War II, in rural Australia.
Summer Christmas Yes Christmas in Summer down under, and in a long gone era. I first viewed this film when I was about eight or so, with my Grandpa stating how he actually filmed this movie. It is a long gone era in Australian history with everyone having a slight British accent, but northern hemi-sphere viewers do get to see Christmas in the summer instead of winter. As for some of the references to Aboriginals.......my kids didn't even pick them up (6 & 7 ages), funny to think how half these lines would now have this movie poorly judged, but as I said my kids didn't even pick them up and laughed with the jokes. And my kids are black! This movie also featured the late Chips Rafferty who was one of Australia's most premiered stars, and always portrayed that so called "Australian look and sound".
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