The Earthling
1980 film by Peter Collinson
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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.
Elliot Schick
John Strong
Ricky Schroder
| The Earthling | |
|---|---|
Film Poster | |
| Directed by | Peter Collinson |
| Written by | Lanny Cotler |
| Produced by | Samuel Z. Arkoff Elliot Schick John Strong |
| Starring | William Holden Ricky Schroder |
| Cinematography | Donald McAlpine |
| Edited by | Nicholas Beauman |
| Music by | Dick DeBenedictis Bruce Smeaton |
| Distributed by | Filmways Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Countries | United States Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4.5 million[1] |
| Box office | A$72,000 (Australia) |
Plot
Patrick Foley is a jaded loner who has been a drifter for much of his life. Discovering he has terminal cancer, he travels to the Australian outback where he grew up to die in solitude. However, his plans are interrupted after ten year old Shawn Daley's parents die in a horrific accident leaving the boy alone and helpless. Reluctantly, Foley accompanies Shawn and teaches him how to survive the wilderness. After Foley dies, Shawn begins his trek back to civilisation.
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
- Fred "Cul" Cullen as Dawson
- Dawn A. Gregg as Dalton
- Maggie Blinco as Jessica
- Tui Bow as Lyla
- Danny Adcock as Bus Driver
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.[2]
It was one of several films Jack Thompson made around this time where he supported an American star.[3]
Reception
The film drew greatly mixed reviews, with some critics reviling it, while others praised it.[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.[4]
