The Sundowners

Big, funny, tender and humane all at the same time, The Sundowners is a true "family" film, without any of the cloying connotations of that term.

Jon Cleary's novel is the basic source from which director Fred Zinnemann's inspiration springs. Between Cleary and Zinnemann lies Isobel Lennart's perceptive, virile screenplay, loaded with bright, telling lines of dialog and gentle philosophical comment. But, fine as the scenario is, it is Zinnemann's poetic glances into the souls of his characters, little hints of deep longings, hidden despairs, indomitable spirit that make the picture the achievement it is.

A remarkably effective and absorbing picture (if a little too long), with another sterling performance from Mitchum.

Though the story builds slowly (and the first half may seem a little pokey), the characters are more red-blooded and vigorous and eccentric than in most other Zinnemann films.

A touching Fred Zinnemann movie (1960) about an Australian sheepherding family.

A sense of outdoor living and a tingle of open-air adventure are the breath of life in this film.

Zinnemann's customary care for detail pays occasional dividends, but the film goes on rather too long.