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 byRussell Hagg
Written byPatrick Edgeworth
Produced byPatrick Edgeworth
Russell Hagg
StarringGerard Kennedy
Gus Mercurio
CinematographyVince Monton
Edited byTony Paterson
Music byRonald Edgeworth
Production
company
Homestead Films
Distributed byGreater Union
Release date
  • 4 February 1977 (1977-02-04)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
BudgetAU$450,000[1]

Plot

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In 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

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Production

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The 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

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The 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

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Award Category Subject Result
AACTA Awards
(1977 AFI Awards)
Best Supporting Actor Christopher Pate Nominated
Best Sound Bruce Lamshed Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, p 310
  2. ^ 'Cash & Co and Tandarra' at Australian Classic Television
  3. ^ Vagg, Stephen (24 July 2019). "50 Meat Pie Westerns". Filmink.
  4. ^ David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p267-268
  5. ^ Film Buff's Forecast (27 October 2017). "10 - Universal's Australian Chief and An Englishman Abroad" (Podcast).
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