{"id":76852,"date":"2021-10-07T13:05:41","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T20:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=76852"},"modified":"2021-10-07T13:10:33","modified_gmt":"2021-10-07T20:10:33","slug":"sundowners-the-1960","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=76852","title":{"rendered":"Sundowners, The (1960)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;He&#8217;s a man who hates routine; what he needs is a little excitement.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Poster-201x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-76853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Poster-201x300.png 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Poster-86x128.png 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Poster-181x270.png 181w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Poster.png 572w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nIn 1920s rural Australia, a sheep drover (Robert Mitchum) and his wife (Deborah Kerr) and teenage son (Michael Anderson, Jr.) settle down briefly to shear sheep, but Kerr is eager to secure a more permanent homestead. Will she and her nomadic husband be able to come to an agreement about where to go next?\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Australian Films<\/li>\n<li>Deborah Kerr Films<\/li>\n<li>Fred Zinneman Films<\/li>\n<li>Glynis Johns Films<\/li>\n<li>Marital Problems<\/li>\n<li>Peter Ustinov Films<\/li>\n<li>Robert Mitchum Films<\/li>\n<li>Westerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nThree years after co-starring in John Huston&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=21507\"><em>Heaven Knows, Mr. Allyson<\/em> (1957)<\/a>, Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr re-teamed for this comedic <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Australian_Western\">&#8220;meat pie western&#8221;<\/a>, directed by Fred Zinneman and set in southern Australia (with ample evidence of on-location shooting). At the heart of the storyline, other than showcasing the sheep-driven existence of most of the characters: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Sheep.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Sheep-1024x573.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Sheep-1024x573.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Sheep-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Sheep-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Sheep-768x430.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Sheep-1536x859.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Sheep-483x270.png 483w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Sheep.png 1805w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Shearing.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Shearing-1024x573.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76865\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Shearing-1024x573.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Shearing-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Shearing-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Shearing-768x430.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Shearing-1536x860.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Shearing-482x270.png 482w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Shearing.png 1813w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; are the significant tensions between Mitchum and Kerr in terms of how they want to live out the rest of their lives. While Kerr accepted Mitchum&#8217;s wanderlust in their younger years, her desires have since shifted (though not her desire for Mitchum himself): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-Mitchum2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-Mitchum2-1024x575.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76872\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-Mitchum2-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-Mitchum2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-Mitchum2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-Mitchum2-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-Mitchum2-1536x863.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-Mitchum2-481x270.png 481w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-Mitchum2.png 1821w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s realistic but painful at times to watch this likable pair work through their challenges, especially given Mitchum&#8217;s troubles with gambling. Meanwhile, the leisurely, episodic narrative shows us what life is like for those existing in this milieu &#8212; including the family&#8217;s British colleague (Peter Ustinov) romancing a local barmaid (Glynis Johns):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov-1024x566.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"354\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76873\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov-1024x566.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov-768x424.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov-1536x848.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov-489x270.png 489w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Johns-Ustinov.png 1823w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; their employer&#8217;s classy wife (Dina Merrill) wondering if she fits in:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Merrill.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Merrill-1024x559.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"349\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Merrill-1024x559.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Merrill-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Merrill-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Merrill-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Merrill-1536x838.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Merrill-495x270.png 495w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Merrill.png 1863w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; a young wife (Lola Brooks) hoping to have her husband (John Meillon) nearby when she gives birth: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Brooks.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Brooks-1024x563.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"352\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76870\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Brooks-1024x563.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Brooks-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Brooks-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Brooks-768x422.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Brooks-1536x845.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Brooks-491x270.png 491w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Brooks.png 1827w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and Mitchum&#8217;s willingness to go up against a veteran sheep shearer in a betting contest: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Mitchum-Sweaty.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Mitchum-Sweaty-1024x564.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"353\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Mitchum-Sweaty-1024x564.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Mitchum-Sweaty-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Mitchum-Sweaty-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Mitchum-Sweaty-768x423.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Mitchum-Sweaty-1536x846.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Mitchum-Sweaty-490x270.png 490w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Mitchum-Sweaty.png 1833w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Anderson, Jr. discovers his love of horse racing: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Riding-Horse.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Riding-Horse-1024x560.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"350\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76866\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Riding-Horse-1024x560.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Riding-Horse-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Riding-Horse-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Riding-Horse-768x420.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Riding-Horse-1536x840.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Riding-Horse-494x270.png 494w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Riding-Horse.png 1817w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; which leads to the film&#8217;s climactic albeit somewhat ambiguous ending. While this amiable movie isn&#8217;t must-see viewing for all film fanatics, it&#8217;s worth a look for the lead performances, and for those interested in Australia&#8217;s depiction on screen by Hollywood. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Deborah Kerr as Ida Carmody (nominated as one of the Best Actresses of the Year in Peary&#8217;s <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-1024x571.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"357\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76856\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-1024x571.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-1536x857.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr-484x270.png 484w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Kerr.png 1823w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Jack Hildyard&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still-1024x568.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"355\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76857\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still-1024x568.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still-1536x851.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still-487x270.png 487w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Sundowners-Still.png 1813w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s worth a look for Kerr&#8217;s performance. Listed as a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0054353\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s2206sund.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/the-sundowners\/review\/2030282425\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/16109\/the-sundowners#articles-reviews?articleId=87975\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/V7ftgt3PEos\">South Australian Movie Review (Video)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s a man who hates routine; what he needs is a little excitement.&#8221; Synopsis: In 1920s rural Australia, a sheep drover (Robert Mitchum) and his wife (Deborah Kerr) and teenage son (Michael Anderson, Jr.) settle down briefly to shear sheep, but Kerr is eager to secure a more permanent homestead. Will she and her nomadic husband be able to come to an agreement about where to go next? Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Australian Films Deborah Kerr Films Fred Zinneman&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=76852\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76852","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76852","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=76852"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76852\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76885,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76852\/revisions\/76885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=76852"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=76852"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=76852"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}