Robbery Under Arms *** (1957, Peter Finch, David McCallum, Ronald Lewis, Laurence Naismith) – 5793

Director Jack Lee’s 1957 Rank Organisation historical action adventure stars London-born Peter Finch, who returns to Australia, where he was brought up after the age of 10, to play, dashingly and appealingly, the notorious Captain Starlight, leader of a 19th-century bush ranger outlaw gang rampaging through the Bush in Australia.

David McCallum and Ronald Lewis play brothers Jim and Dick Marston, who join their father Ben Marston (Laurence Naismith) in Captain Starlight’s gang.

Director Lee brings his documentary film-maker’s eye to the Western-style story, though unfortunately he keeps the pace at a dawdle. And Alexander Baron and W P Lipscomb’s screenplay adapts Rolf Boldrewood’s classic novel rather haltingly. However, there is atmosphere aplenty in Harry Waxman’s attentive, perceptive Eastmancolor cinematography.

Also in the cast are Maureen Swanson, Jill Ireland, Jean Anderson, Vincent Ball, Russell Napier, Ursula Finlay, Johnny Cadell, George Cormack, Doris Goddard, Dudy Nimmo and Larry Taylor.

It was remade in 1985 with Sam Neill.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5793

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