Return to Snowy River

As most of the cases, I prefer the first movie to "Return to Snowy River" though I think they both deserve 5 stars. One of the reasons is I enjoy the first one more is that Kirk Douglas played Harrison in the first movie. Yes, Brian Dennehy was superb in that role, I still like Kirk Douglas.

All right, to the fine parts of the movie. Beautiful and magnificent scenery of the Australian mountains! Excellent acting by all actors and actresses, the suspense, action, and adventure will keep you on the edge of your seats! And Tom Burlinson sure know how to ride when he performs some pretty cool stunts while riding horses. Especially the earlier part of the movie where he proves that he can certainly ride better than Nicholas Eadie who plays the part of the jealous bad guy for Jessica's affection.

I recommend this movie along with the first movie, "The Man from Snowy River". These movies are classics and one of the family movies I watch at home. Can't be missed!


The love story continues...   February 19, 2002
Rebecca Johnson (Washington State)
25 out of 28 found this review helpful

There are some people you don't soon forget. Jessica Harrison (Sigrid Thornton) has never quite gotten over Jim Craig/The Man from Snowy River (Tom Burlinson). In the first movie, he promises to come back for what is his.

When he does return, the scenery has changed. The high country hasn't changed as much as the people have changed.

Jessica's father (Brian Dennehy) wants her to marry Alistair Patton (Nicholas Eadie). When she sees Jim for the first time since his return, one of the first things she wants to know is why it has taken him so long to return. It seems he has been trying to prove his worth to her by raising horses and trying to make a future for them both.

At first it seems Jessica is going to follow the wishes of her father, yet we know that she has quite the mind of her own and when Jim asks: "What do you want?" Jessica replies: "I want you." She doesn't have to think twice because her heart is free. Together Jim and Jessica are really like two wild horses at heart. They don't want to be tied down to the life everyone else has determined for them.

Jessica has always been judged for who she is and not for what she is. Her heart can only be tamed by Jim Craig and she is even willing to give up everything she holds dear to make him happy. Alistair Patton (Nicholas Eadie) holds her attention briefly, but the minute she sees Jim you know she hasn't forgotten him as he is the only man who truly knows how she feels about life and love. Alistair turns out to be vindictive and cruel. He not only wants Jessica, he wants to destroy Jim.

This sequel has way more action scenes that are even more spectacular than the first movie although a bit less artistic in places. I still love the scene in the first movie where the horses run through the snow. In this movie, there are gorgeous scenes of horses swimming through rivers and running across the Australian mountains. Quite frankly, it is all quite stunning and the sheer power of the horses can be felt throughout the scenes.

The black stallion plays a significant role in either destroying or healing situations to the point you can't decide if you like him or not. It is as if everything he does causes some extreme situation.

It is highly recommended that you watch the first: "The Man from Snowy River" because they don't repeat information that would make the background behind the feuds much more clear.

When two souls are destined to find one another, they do. Jim and Jessica seem to be able to weather any storm that comes their way, even when the future looks very bleak.

After all, life is an adventure to be lived to the fullest and sometimes you have to set someone free from your heart to see if they will one day come back.

~The Rebecca Review


A cinematic work of art.......   April 10, 2003
Kyle Tolle (Phoenix, Arizona USA)
25 out of 28 found this review helpful

Return to Snowy River is a sequel that definitely compliments the first movie considering a lot of movie sequels don't really make the grade. Also knowing that Disney was at the helm of this production, with their excellent track record, it was a pretty sure thing it was going to be great.

Tom Burlinson (as Jim Craig) and Sigrid Thornton (as Jessica Harrison), once again display great chemistry in their interactions that makes for a very pleasing, although turbulent romantic adventure. Amidst the clashing of landowners and Jessica's father (played by Brian Dennehy) wanting to distance her from Jim Craig permanently, the couple discover the power of love and surmount the odds to find happiness.

Filmed in Australia's Victorian Alps, the cinematography is visually stunning and breathtaking. The horsemanship and stunt work is very exciting also and coupled with great acting, this movie is a highly rewarding experience for everyone of all ages.

I highly recommend this movie to everyone.


Great movie, terrible DVD   January 31, 2006
A. Weist (Indy)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

This movie is almost as good as the original Man from Snowy River, my all time favorite movie. However, I put off watching this DVD because here in the U.S. it was released as a 1.33:1 pan and scan picture, a far cry from it's theater release of 2.35:1. This means you're only seeing about 1/2 to 2/3 of the original frame of the movie. And, if you're like me and have a widescreen set up, it looks even worse. There is a solution if you're a serious fan. A digitally remastered DVD of Snowy River I and II with the origianl aspect ratio 2.35:1 and glorious Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1 soundtracks were released (together in one package) in Australia. They are region 4 DVDs and PAL to boot, but if you have a region free dvd player or can convert yours to region free (I have the Oppo 971H and it was a snap) then you can find these movies from sellers in Australia (fleabay or other places) and see them as they were meant to be seen. In fact, Geoff Burrowes who produced them both, includes on Snowy River II the wedding scene between Jim and Jess that was cut from the theatrical release at the very last second. He says it was the way the movie was meant to end, and is the way it's shown here (the shorter ending that was actually released is on the special features menu, so you can see both). I don't know if the wedding is on the dvd released in the U.S. since I refused to watch it. What a great story these 2 movies share!! Watch them, you'll not regret it!


'Return to Snowy River', the BEST sequel!   August 9, 2001
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I could never be more sastisfied with a sequel than this one. It's even better than a Toy Story 2 sequel. Mainly, because all questions are answered, in wonderful movie form! Jim Craig comes back from being away from the mountains for about 3 or 4 years. He hasn't seen Jessica in all that time, and, of course, he wants to. That's when all the trouble begins, and the Jessica and Jim are fighting to be together, while her father and a jealous Military, snobby bankers son, wants Jessica for his own. Which immediatly starts a rivalry with Jim and him before the day was over. The movie has incredible music, and scenery. I think the proffessional reviewers are looking out their own back-yard window when they say that's the only good thing about the movie. The music for this movie and the first one is excellent, beautifully suiting the moment it is being played at. The acting is perfect, to me, and the end satisfying, with Jim riding after Alastair to stop him from leading HIS horses over the border in a thrilling, and at one point, heartbreaking chase. The viewing is crisp and clear, the horses are wonderful. And the real stunts that Tom Burlinson does are AMAZING. Like when his horse Danny goes flying over the cliff edge in a daring leap (slow motion might I add). So good. I can't tell you any more than to stop reading this review and go rent this tape, better yet buy it! If you like romance, and LOVE horses and an engaging story-line, without all the crud they put in the movies now a-days, get this!!