Quigley Down Under was always one of my favorite movies. It’s an Australian western but more so just a rousing adventure. I never got to see it in theaters so I originally discovered it on pan and scan VHS. I eventually saw it properly on DVD and it got even better on Blu-ray.
Showing frontier Australia in 1990 was still a feat, and it’s bright and clear in the new 4K UHD. The night sky is a deep void, and Quigley blows out lanterns to create more shadow.
You see the grain of the film, and on the way to the Outback the pier and green countryside provide a lush contrast to the red rocks and sand.
The buildup to Quigley (Tom Selleck)’s marksmanship is so great. Sergio Leone was the master at tense standoffs, but Quigley director Simon Wincer stages setups that convey how hard Quigley’s shots are to pull off. He waits patiently while a rider sets up a bucket at a distance, or waits patiently for villain Marston (Alan Rickman) to monologue knowing the whole time he’ll be hoisted by his own petard.
Basil Poledouris’s sweeping score fills the speakers. Boots clomp and spurs jingle like the greatest westerns. You’ll hear horses trot behind you, the echoes of Quigley’s shots and tribal atmosphere and nature sounds in surrounds.
Shout! first entered Quigley Down Under into their Shout Select collection in 2018 and those bonus features are still included on the Blu-ray. Armorer Mike Tristano talks fans through the historic weaponry used in the film for over 20 minutes.
It’s nice to see Laura San Giacomo still so enthusiastic about the movie 28 years later. She conveys the joy of being in the elements and depth of her performance.