Customer Reviews

Bush Christmas

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This film is a light-hearted film that kids and adults will enjoy. I had a laugh at the way Australians were portrayed - It was so exaggerated. It made it funny in a nice way- I reckon if they re-released the film, it would almost get cult status. Mum in the kitchen cooking and all perfectly made up in the middle of the Bush. The stereotypical portrayal of Aboriginals (which are referred to as blackefellas believe it or not) as good stockman and trackers. (which they were but there is alot more to ABoriginals than that - ie their culture, spirituality). The Aussie kids all blond and freckled with names like Snow (How original!)
Australia had come such as long way, and we like to laugh at ourselves! This film is a bewdy mate!

Yes Christmas in Summer down under, and in a long gone era. I first viewed this film when I was about eight or so, with my Grandpa stating how he actually filmed this movie. It is a long gone era in Australian history with everyone having a slight British accent, but northern hemi-sphere viewers do get to see Christmas in the summer instead of winter. As for some of the references to Aboriginals.......my kids didn't even pick them up (6 & 7 ages), funny to think how half these lines would now have this movie poorly judged, but as I said my kids didn't even pick them up and laughed with the jokes. And my kids are black! This movie also featured the late Chips Rafferty who was one of Australia's most premiered stars, and always portrayed that so called "Australian look and sound".

I saw this film as a 13 year old in Holland, after migrating to Australia saw it several times and enjoyed it, am now 66 years old and still enjoy it

Don't be scared away by the title, "Bush Christmas" (1947) has nothing to do with George W. or his father. They are referring to the Australian "Bush" and this is a children's film that no doubt was a heavy influence on Nicholas Roeg"s "Walkabout" (1971); as well as its source novel by James Vance Marshall. In both a small band of children find themselves in the bush country and out of their element, getting survival tips from a native boy. "A Far Off Place" (1993) and "Alaska" (1996) also appropriated many elements of the story. "Bush Christmas" is the least gritty of the four films but the most believable and the least manipulative.

It should remind the viewer of the modern Australian television show "Saddle Club" as the kids are around horses all the time; even riding them to and from school. And the plot involves Grinch-inspired horse thieves who almost ruin Christmas for the family when they steal their prize mare, leaving her young colt behind. So the five children head into the bush to track down the horse thieves, while their parents and the police search for them. There is even a Ghost Town (also found in "Walkabout") although you have to suspend disbelief when the until now very perceptive children inexplicably take too long to recognize that the horse thieves are its only residents.

Worth noting is that Helen Grieve plays the only girl in this group of adventurous children but there is no condescension to her, she rides better than the boys and takes on a kind of "Wendy" from "Peter Pan" role in the group.

Christmas in the southern hemisphere is a summer event but the holiday is still celebrated with winter wonderland decorations, presents, and a tree.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

I enjoy this movie as much today as I did as a child. Oh how I envied the kids in the film. Riding to school on horseback. And having the adventure of a lifetime. All the while presenting a slice of life, during World War II, in rural Australia.

This black and white film is a classic Australian film and tells a story about a group of children in outback Australia, their Aboriginal friend and an English visitor who outwit horse thieves. Chips Rafferty, an iconic Australian actor, features in this film. Very enjoyable for children and fun also for adults.

This is a good family movie. One that anyone can sit down and enjoy. I can recomend it for all ages.You dont see many movies like it today.

Back in Holland while I was a young girl in Highschool, my sister took me to see Bush Christmas. This story is so believable and the characters are real. These children are not going to let some bush rangers steal their favourite horse and spoil Christmas. Christmas in Australia is a wonderful time, it's about being free and relaxed. That's what this story is all about. The typical Australian courage to tackle anything, anywhere. Even the English boy Michael loves to be part of this adventure. Australia is adventure and the bush even more so. Watch this movie and enjoy the Australian way of celebrating and taking charge.

5 stars all the way. I love this movie and have watched it many times. Chips Rafferty is brilliant in his role as the horse thief. But, I must be fair......the whole cast is brilliant. The only downside, for me anyway, is the tendency back then, to have overseas actors playing Australians. This time, the actors were mainly British. Chips Rafferty was a real dinki-di Aussie though. Excellent family movie with comedy thrown in.....what more could you ask for. A must have for any collection.

'Bush Christmas' is a movie filmed down-under in the Australian outback around the mid 1940's or the early 1950's. Four young children have just broken up for the summer school holidays and find themselves caught up in a pre-Christmas adventure of trying to rescue one of the children's parents prized horses. This movie is not only a trip down nostalgia lane,it is also a historical record of how we celebrated Christmas during these times. I found this movie to be a little gem to keep for those of us whom do not celebrate Christmas in the northern hemisphere. I know this film does not contain the razzmatazz that the Hollywood blockbusters lay claim to, but it is for this very reason because of its simplicity and innocence that I think is worth having in one's Christmas collection.