"You might sooner hold back the tide than tame the mountains"

After just returning from a wholesomely refreshing weekend (not your average bachelorette!) in Highlands, North Carolina, I can't help but feel nostalgia for the years of my life spent exploring the "woods" or grooming, feeding, and galloping around on the horses I so adored, whether in Atlanta, Colorado, or Montana. This weekend, surrounded by green mountains, the sound of a running brook, and the cool touch of the pond on my toes, I grasped a little sense of the spirit of adventure that I wrote about in the first post, but a sense that is most profoundly experienced in the great outdoors... and whenever possible, on a beautiful horse!

I feel that I owe it to this blog, in an effort to truly express the origin of my desire for adventure, to mention one other film that marked my early years more than any other, including Chitty... and that is The Man From Snowy River. This Australian film is a dramatic coming-of-age story set amidst wealthy land owners and wild mountain men, the California gold rush, twisted tales of fate and fortune, love and betrayal, and of course horses and the men (and women!) who ride them. Originally adapted from the poem of the same name by Banjo Peterson, an Australian bush poet at the turn of the century, this 1982 film (you'll notice the VHS-era quality!) starred Aussies Tim Burlinson (who I will forever be in love with as Jim Craig), Sigrid Thornton (who I always wanted to be, of course), and American Kirk Douglas at his best in two iconic roles, an epic sibling rivalry between the wealthy Harrison and his long-lost brother Spur.

Besides the breathtaking landscapes of Victoria and the surrounding areas and the expert (even spiritual) horsemanship (Burlinson apparently did all horseback scenes himself without any double!), the musical score by Bruce Rowland holds a very special place in my heart... and many others' hearts as well as it was very well rewarded in 1983 when it came out. So, in the name of exploring beautiful far off lands, soaking up the natural wonders outdoors, and of course, dramatic love stories, The Man From Snowy River is one I will always cherish as Truly Scrumptious in its own rugged, 80's cinematography, melodramatic way.

(Jim Craig and Jessica riding Denny)

(Jim Craig and Clancey, "The Horseman")

(Jim on Denny for "The Chase")

(Jim Craig)

Favorite quotes:

Clancey: "Jim, Mr. Harrison was just talking of taming the Snowy River Country, you know better than any of us, what do you think?"

Jim: "Well sir, I think you might sooner hold back the tide than tame the mountains."

"A man without a horse is like a man without legs." (Spur as Jim Craig meets horse "Denny")

"Forget the mare ya duffer, don't throw effort after foolishness." (Spur to Craig)

Jessica: "You've got to be firm with a young horse."

Jim: "But not cruel...you work with a horse, not against it."

Clips:

Trailer (sadly suuuuuuper cheesy narrator who gives it away cheaply, but at least you see some of the scenery, horses, and characters)

Early Scenes: Spurs's cabin, Jim meets Jessica, Clancey and Spur, etc.

"The Chase" and "The Descent" scenes... favorite music!

Some of favorite scenes: Jim at the Harrison estate, Jim breaks the colt, Jim and Jessica (beautiful music)

Closing Scene and music