Raw Deal is a 1977 Australian meat pie western film directed by Russell Hagg made by the company responsible for the TV series Cash and Company and Tandarra.[2]
| Raw Deal | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Russell Hagg |
| Written by | Patrick Edgeworth |
| Produced by | Patrick Edgeworth Russell Hagg |
| Starring | Gerard Kennedy Gus Mercurio |
| Cinematography | Vince Monton |
| Edited by | Tony Paterson |
| Music by | Ronald Edgeworth |
Production company | Homestead Films |
| Distributed by | Greater Union |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | AU$450,000[1] |
Plot
editIn the 1870s, the colonial administrator hires bounty hunter Palmer and gun salesman Ben to wipe out an army of Irish Catholic revolutionaries in their stronghold. Palmer and Ben recruit three gun men to help them and their mission is successful but when they go to get their payment they are trapped by treacherous officials. Ben and Palmer must fight their way to safety.
Cast
edit- Gerard Kennedy as Palmer
- Gus Mercurio as Ben
- Rod Mullinar as Alex
- Christopher Pate as Dick
- Hu Pryce as Ned
- John Cousins as Sir Charles
- Michael Carman as Sir Frederick
- Norman Yemm as O'Neil
- Gary Day as Tyrone Leader
- Briony Behets as Alex's Lady
- Anne Scott-Pendlebury as Dick's Girl
Production
editThe movie was shot in Sunbury, Victoria and Mungo, New South Wales.[1]
According to Filmink "The film uses Western tropes, but it makes some attempt to adapt to Australia – the plot revolves around the sectarianism of the time, which was a much bigger issue here than in the USA. There’s references to Guy Fawkes, and cricket."[3]
Reception
editThe film was a commercial disappointment and failed to recover its costs.[4]
Patrick Edgeworth later said he felt a key problem with the film was the lack of a strong female role.[5]
Accolades
edit| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| AACTA Awards (1977 AFI Awards) |
Best Supporting Actor | Christopher Pate | Nominated |
| Best Sound | Bruce Lamshed | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, p 310
- ^ 'Cash & Co and Tandarra' at Australian Classic Television
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (24 July 2019). "50 Meat Pie Westerns". Filmink.
- ^ David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p267-268
- ^ Film Buff's Forecast (27 October 2017). "10 - Universal's Australian Chief and An Englishman Abroad" (Podcast).
External links
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