Sean Morrow I'm a big William Holden fan and this film has had such good reviews I was quite desperate to see it. Trouble is, I couldn't find it anywhere new or used. Then, during one of my periodical Google searches for it I found it was posted on Youtube. Well, it's there in six parts and the quality is not so good, but if you can put up with it you'll find it's a really good movie. My rating is probably too high because I'm such a Holden fan, but he really gives a remarkable performance and the story itself is quite wonderful. Basically it's the story of a bitter and lonely man coming home to die in the Austrian outback but along his way he finds a young boy lost and alone. He can't take the boy back to civilization, he doesn't have that long, so he must take the boy deeper into the wild and teach him to survive along the way. The movie could have been very melodramatic but the cast and director don't go that way, it's played very straight and matter of fact. Rickie Schroder does a fine job as the boy, not cloying at all. I sure hope they come up with a DVD of this movie, but until then, check it out on Youtube.

mikohime3 An excellent film displaying acting talents not previously apparent for Mr. Holden. Empathy but not sympathy for a boy whose parents are taken from him, as were those of Mr. Holden's character. Superb acting ability shown by young Ricky Schroeder beyond his years. A moving story of impending death and of passing the torch of survival to the boy. Beautiful scenery of the wild country of Australia and one of the most moving songs by Maureen McGovern. The supporting cast is very limited but tremendously important to the story. The character of Christian is the conscience of Mr. Holden's character and through his personality and past history, causes Foley to discard his morphine and to take his final journey home in pain. Foley's respect for the native culture is displayed by his refusal to kill an animal for meat without asking permission of the local gods. The toughening up process he forces on the boy is beautifully shown. We get to watch the whining little boy who doesn't want to be splashed with cold water change into the tough survivor who makes Foley catch his own fish at the point of a knife. I have seen this film several times and would heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys drama, human interaction, nature at her best and the soaring voice of Maureen McGovern also at her best. I would love to have it on DVD should it ever become available in that format.

Venture456 I saw this movie from time to time as a kid on Sunday afternoons. It's a wonderful film with a heart-breaking ending. Fate brings a rough, way-faring loner and a young child lost in the wild outback together and the result is one hell of a story that is sure to touch the viewers emotions. William Holden's character is aged and wants to trek to his father's remote cabin to live out his final days. Along the way he stumbles into Schroeder's character who's parents recently had an accident on their family vacation there in Australia, leaving the child abandoned and unable to survive. Soured by civilization, Holden is reluctant to aid the boy, who's determination to connect with the older man eventually gets through to Holden's compassionate heart of gold.

var-1 William Holden and Ricky Schroder do a superb job of acting. They played off of one another very well. Schroder is great for a 10 year old boy. This movie came out 21 years before I saw it so I was bias by it being dated. I think I still see it for what it was suppose to be. The screen writing or editing was inconsistent. This caused the story to jump and was erratic. I'd bet there was more continuity to the film, but it was left on the cutting room floor. The background and setting was outstanding. The filming could be viewed without dialog. Recommended for all ages.