Country Life(film)
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(September 2017) |
| Country Life | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Michael Blakemore |
| Written by | Michael Blakemore Anton Chekhov |
| Produced by | Robin Dalton |
| Starring | Sam Neill Greta Scacchi John Hargreaves Kerry Fox Patricia Kennedy |
| Cinematography | Stephen F. Windon |
| Edited by | Nicholas Beauman |
| Music by | Peter Best |
| Distributed by | Miramax Umbrella Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 118 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $360,957 (Australia) $350,354 (USA) |
Country Lifeis a 1994 Australiandrama film,adapted from the 1899 playUncle VanyabyAnton Chekhov.The film was directed byMichael Blakemore.The cast includesSam Neill,Greta Scacchi,John HargreavesandGoogie Withers.It was entered into the19th Moscow International Film Festival.[1]
Plot[edit]
The film is set in Australia 1919, just a year after World War I. Australia begins to question the value of continuing as an outpost to the British Empire. Since his sister's death years ago, Jack Dickens has raised his niece Sally, aided by his sharp-tongued maid Hannah. Sally's father, Alexander Voysey, abandoned her after her mother's death and took off for the bright lights of the city, ostensibly making a name for himself as a literary critic and writer in London. Jack and Sally have sacrificed their own hopes and dreams to run the farm while Voysey disports himself in the city. Despite the claims of success, Voysey is a self-centered, self-aggrandizing, pompous windbag with no visible means of support beyond leeching off his brother-in-law's labours on the farm.
Voysey has remarried a younger woman, Deborah, who has come to regret her marriage. Voysey subjects Deborah to cruel behavior from him, such as fetching things he's dropped at his whim and making advances to other women right in front of her. Deborah is deeply unhappy, and feels that she has wasted her youth and squandered her life by marrying Voysey. Both Jack and the town doctor are soon smitten by Deborah, while Sally pines for the town doctor herself. The true natures, characters, and hopes and dreams within the family are revealed as things fall apart.
Cast[edit]
- Sam Neillas Dr. Max Askey
- Greta Scacchias Deborah Voysey
- John Hargreavesas Jack Dickens
- Kerry Foxas Sally Voysey
- Michael Blakemoreas Alexander Voysey
- Googie Withersas Hannah
- Patricia Kennedyas Maud Dickens
- Ron Blanchardas Wally Wells
- Robyn Cruze as Violet
- Maurie Fieldsas Fred Livingstone
- Bryan Marshallas Mr. Pettinger
- Tony Barryas Logger
- Terry Brady as Logger
- Tom Longas Billy Livingstone
- Rob Steele as James
- Ian Blissas David Archdale
- Colin Taylor as Mr Wilson
- Ian Cockburn as Mr Archdale
- Reg Cribbas Vicar
Box office[edit]
Country Lifegrossed $360,957 at the box office in Australia.[2]
Home media[edit]
Country Lifewas released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in May 2012. The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes a behind-the-scenes special feature.[3]
References[edit]
- ^"19th Moscow International Film Festival (1995)".MIFF.Archived fromthe originalon 22 March 2013.Retrieved20 March2013.
- ^"Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 18 February 2011.Retrieved28 October2010.
- ^"Umbrella Entertainment".Archived fromthe originalon 19 June 2012.Retrieved10 May2013.
External links[edit]
- Country LifeatIMDb
- Country LifeatRotten Tomatoes
- Country Lifeat Oz Movies