Watch The Sundowners

The Sundowners is a 1950 western film directed by George Templeton and starring Robert Preston, Robert Sterling, and Chill Wills. The story follows a family of sheep farmers, led by Paddy Carmody (Preston) and his wife Ida (Deborah Kerr), who travel across the Australian Outback in search of better pastures for their sheep. The movie opens with the Carmody family already on the move, with Paddy driving the sheep wagon and his son Sean (Sterling) helping out with the sheep. They are joined by a friend, Harry (Wills), who is looking for work as a drover. Their first stop is a small town where they sell some of their sheep and stock up on supplies before continuing their journey.

Along the way, they encounter various challenges and obstacles, such as harsh weather conditions and hostile natives. They also meet a number of interesting characters, including a cattleman named Rupert (John Laurie) who helps them get through a difficult river crossing, and a young woman named Jean (Katharine Ross) who catches Sean's eye.

As they travel further into the Outback, the family begins to face some difficult decisions about their future. Paddy is determined to find a permanent home for his family and his sheep, but his stubbornness sometimes puts them all in danger. Ida, meanwhile, worries about the toll that their nomadic lifestyle is taking on their children and their marriage.

One of the film's strengths is its portrayal of the Australian landscape, with stunning shots of the desolate Outback and its rugged beauty. The film was shot on location in New South Wales and Queensland, and the cinematography by Jack Hildyard captures the harshness and beauty of the Australian wilderness.

The performances are also a highlight of The Sundowners. Robert Preston brings a gruff charm to the role of Paddy, a man who is passionate about his sheep and determined to provide for his family. Deborah Kerr is equally strong as Ida, a woman who loves her husband but is beginning to weary of their transient lifestyle. Robert Sterling is effective as their son Sean, a young man who is torn between his love for his family and his desire to strike out on his own.

Chill Wills, as Harry, provides some comic relief as the amiable drifter who becomes a loyal friend to the Carmodys. Katharine Ross, in one of her earliest roles, brings a freshness and energy to the part of Jean, a young woman who dreams of a life outside of the Outback.

The Sundowners is a film that celebrates the rugged individualism and can-do spirit of the Australian people. It's a story about a family who are determined to overcome the odds and make a life for themselves in a harsh and unforgiving land. At its heart, it's a film about the strength of family bonds and the unbreakable human spirit.

Overall, The Sundowners is a well-acted and beautifully shot film that captures the spirit of the Australian Outback. It's a classic western that is worth watching for its portrayal of a bygone era and its themes of family, determination, and resilience.

The Sundowners is a 1950 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.