The West Was Never This Far West

Starring: Tom Selleck, Laura San Giacomo, Alan Rickman, Chris Haywood, Roger Ward, Ron Haddrick, Tony Bonner, Jerome Ehlers, Ben Mendelsohn

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Major. We already run the misfits outta our country. We sent 'em back to England." – Matthew Quigley

Why watch this? Selleck fits this role like a pair of old comfortable kangaroo-skin boots.

Plot Summary: Sharpshooter Matthew Quigley travels from America to Australia after being hired by a wealthy rancher named Elliot Marston. Quigley discovers Marston expects him to use his skills to eradicate the local Aboriginal population, a task the principled American refuses. After a clash with Marston, Quigley finds himself stranded in the harsh Australian outback alongside a troubled woman, and together they navigate the unforgiving wilderness.

Dad's Preview: Set in Australia, Quigley is a man not to be pushed around or betrayed. When he runs afoul with a wealthy land owner, he's beaten up and left for dead in the harsh outback, along with a slightly crazed saloon girl. I feel this is the best of Selleck's Western films. It's fun, beautifully shot, and "nice and dusty". Alan Rickman is once again superb as the villain; this time a greedy land-owner.

Pathé Entertainment; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer