Raw Deal (1977 film)
| Raw Deal | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Russell Hagg |
| Written by | Patrick Edgeworth |
| Produced by | Patrick Edgeworth Russell Hagg |
| Starring | Gerard Kennedy Gus Mercurio |
| Cinematography | Vince Monton |
| Edited by | Tony Paterson |
| Music by | Ronald Edgeworth |
Production company | Homestead Films |
| Distributed by | Greater Union |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | AU$449,581[1][2] |
Raw Deal is a 1977 Australian meat pie western film directed by Russell Hagg made by the company responsible for the TV series Cash and Company and Tandarra.[3][4]
Plot
[edit]In the 1870s, the colonial administrator hires bounty hunter Palmer and gun salesman Ben to wipe out an army of Irish Catholic revolutionaries in their stronghold. Palmer and Ben recruit three gun men to help them and their mission is successful but when they go to get their payment they are trapped by treacherous officials. Ben and Palmer must fight their way to safety.
Cast
[edit]- Gerard Kennedy as Palmer
- Gus Mercurio as Ben
- Rod Mullinar as Alex
- Christopher Pate as Dick
- Hu Pryce as Ned
- John Cousins as Sir Charles
- Michael Carman as Sir Frederick
- Norman Yemm as O'Neil
- Gary Day as Tyrone Leader
- Briony Behets as Alex's Lady
- Anne Scott-Pendlebury as Dick's Girl
Production
[edit]In April 1976 it was announced the film would be called Both Ends Against the Middle and MIke Preston would play a role, off the back of his guest appearance in Tandarra. Preston called the film "an Australian combination of The Magnificent Seven and The Dirty Dozen."[5]
The movie was shot in Sunbury, Victoria and Mungo, New South Wales. Finance came from the Australian Film Commission, the Victorian government, the Seven network, GUO distributors and private investors.[1][6]
According to Filmink "The film uses Western tropes, but it makes some attempt to adapt to Australia – the plot revolves around the sectarianism of the time, which was a much bigger issue here than in the USA. There's references to Guy Fawkes, and cricket."[7]
Reception
[edit]The film was a commercial disappointment and failed to recover its costs.[8]
Patrick Edgeworth later said he felt a key problem with the film was the lack of a strong female role.[9]
Critical
[edit]Colin Bennett of The Age said "almost everything about the" film "is second hand American - even the title... We are up to better things now and should dispense with the stupid Raw Deals."[10]
The Sun Herald felt "it makes good news of a well chosen male cast" and "the plot is packed with lively and sometimes crude action."[11]
David Stratton called it "a rather enjoyable romp set in the country’s colonial past... it is handsomely mounted... the action scenes are effectively staged and the actors... are relaxed and professional. The film never sets its sights too high (it’s about on the level of an average spaghetti western), but it is certainly entertaining."[12]
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| AACTA Awards (1977 AFI Awards) |
Best Supporting Actor | Christopher Pate | Nominated |
| Best Sound | Bruce Lamshed | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, p 310
- ^ Australian Film Commission. (1977), "MARKETING BRANCH", Annual Report, Parliamentary paper (Australia. Parliament) (1976/1977, PP no. 63 of 1979), [Canberra: Australian Govt. Pub. Service, ISSN 0816-9624, nla.obj-2754195620, retrieved 27 March 2025 – via Trove
- ^ 'Cash & Co and Tandarra' at Australian Classic Television
- ^ "'RAW DEAL'". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 44, no. 36. Australia, Australia. 9 February 1977. p. 41. Retrieved 25 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "TV compere lands film role". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 April 1976. p. 13.
- ^ "Raw deal". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. XLII, no. 19. Victoria, Australia. 28 January 1977. p. 15. Retrieved 25 April 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (24 July 2019). "50 Meat Pie Westerns". Filmink.
- ^ David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p267-268
- ^ Film Buff's Forecast (27 October 2017). "10 - Universal's Australian Chief and An Englishman Abroad" (Podcast).
- ^ Bennett, Colin (4 February 1977). "Now for the wichetty Westerns". The Age. p. 2.
- ^ Costantino, Romola (6 February 1977). "Raw Deal". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 87.
- ^ Stratton pp 267-268
External links
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