The Earthling

Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox film The Earthling is a 1980 American-Australian adventure film directed by Peter Collinson, and starring William Holden and Ricky Schroder. It was filmed in Australia in 1979, and was the last to be directed by Collinson before his death the following year.

Cast

• William Holden as Patrick Foley
• Ricky Schroder as Shawn Daley
• Olivia Hamnett as Bettina Daley
• Jack Thompson as Ross Daley
• Alwyn Kurts as Christian Neilson
• Pat Evison as Meg Neilson
• Redmond Phillips as Bobby Burns
• Ray Barrett as Parnell
• Tony Barry as Red
• Allan Penney as Harlan
• Willie Fennell as R. C.
• Walter Pym as Uncle
• Cul Cullen as Dawson
• Dawn A. Gregg as Dalton
• Maggie Blinco as Jessica
• Tui Bow as Lyla
• Danny Adcock as Bus Driver

Plot

Template:More plot Patrick Foley is a jaded loner who has been a drifter for much of his life. Discovering he has terminal cancer, he decides to return to the Australian outback where he grew up to die in solitude. His plans are interrupted however when ten year old Shawn Dailey's parents die in a horrific accident leaving the boy alone and helpless. Reluctantly, Foley teaches the boy survival and they form a bond before Foley dies and Shawn begins his trek back to civilisation.

Production

The film was shot from September to October 1979 in the Blue Mountains, Barrington Forest and Warrumbungle National Park. It was reported that Holden and Schroder got along while filming. Schroder named one of his children Holden in honour of his co-star.<ref>Scott Murray, "The Earthling", Australian Film 1978-1992, Oxford Uni Press 1993 p 56</ref>

It was one of several films Jack Thompson made around this time where he supported an American star.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Reception

The film drew greatly mixed reviews, with some critics reviling it, while others praised it.Template:Citation needed It played to little notice in theatres, but later became something of a daytime staple on HBO and other cable-movie channels in the 1980s. It grossed $72,000 for box office in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Cinema of Australia

External links

• Template:IMDb title
• Template:Rotten Tomatoes
• The Earthling at Oz Movies
• The Earthling at the National Film and Sound Archive

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