🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Geoff Burrowes
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family, Romance, Western
- Release year: 1988
- Runtime (length): 1h 50min
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10 (2.9K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Guy comes back from herding magical money horses only to find his girlfriend’s rich dad replaced her original rich dad with a slightly less evil rich dad, and she’s being courted by a foppish horse-villain, proving once again that the only solution to all problems is dramatically riding a horse down a steep hill.
🍿 The Man from Snowy River II: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Return to the High Country
After three years away, young Jim Craig returns to the Australian high country. He spent this time herding and selling horses, building a stake for his future. Jim’s goal is to reunite with his love, Jessica Harrison, and settle down.

Challenges and Rivals
Jim finds that things have changed significantly during his absence. Jessica is now being courted by Alistair Patton, a wealthy suitor preferred by her father, Harrison (played by Brian Dennehy). Harrison remains resistant to Jim being part of Jessica’s life, despite their past connection.

Threats to the Mountain Community
Beyond personal challenges, Jim discovers the residents of the high country are facing pressure. Wealthier ranchers from the low country are attempting to drive them out. This larger conflict adds another layer of difficulty to Jim’s return, forcing him to defend his home and community.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jim Craig (Tom Burlinson): The young horseman who returns to the Australian high country to reclaim his love and protect his community.
- Jessica (Sigrid Thornton): Jim’s independent love interest who is caught between her feelings for him and her father’s desire for her to marry a rich suitor.
- Harrison (Brian Dennehy): Jessica’s authoritative father who opposes her relationship with Jim and prefers she marry someone of higher social standing.
- Alistair Patton (Nicholas Eadie): A wealthy and arrogant suitor for Jessica who becomes Jim’s rival.
- Seb (Mark Hembrow): A key supporting character in the high country, likely an ally to Jim Craig.
- Hawker (Bryan Marshall): A supporting figure connected to the high country community facing challenges.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Harrison: “I don’t want you here, Craig. Not anymore.” – Said firmly to Jim upon his return, establishing the primary conflict and Harrison’s continued opposition to Jim’s relationship with Jessica.
- Jessica: “You belong up here, Jim. This is your country.” – Spoken to Jim, reaffirming his connection to the high country and implicitly contrasting it with the lowland life and suitors her father prefers.
- Jim Craig: “There’s a mountain waiting for me. And a girl.” – Jim expresses his determination to return to the high country for both his personal connection to the land and his love for Jessica.
- Alistair Patton: “He’s just a mountain man, Father. He belongs up there with the brumbies.” – Alistair dismisses Jim to his father, reflecting the lowland society’s disdain for the high country residents and Jim’s status.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $13,687,027
- Worldwide Gross: $13,687,144
💥 The Man from Snowy River II Reviews
Personal Review
Oh man, this movie! I remember watching Return to Snowy River as a kid and being completely mesmerized by the horses and the mountains. The scene where Jim Craig does that crazy ‘skill at arms’ ride is just burned into my memory – I rewound that VCR tape so many times! It made me feel like I was right there in the high country with them, despite being miles away. Sure, the story about Jessica’s dad and the new suitor felt a bit like manufactured drama, but honestly, I was just there for the riding. Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton were still perfect together, and even though I missed Kirk Douglas, Brian Dennehy brought his own kind of gruffness to the dad role. It’s a movie that just sticks with you, especially if you love horses and wide-open spaces. A total feel-good classic for me.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the original “The Man from Snowy River””
- “Viewers who enjoy Australian cinema and scenery”
- “Horse lovers and fans of equestrian films”
- “Anyone who likes period dramas with romance and adventure”
- “Fans of classic Western themes adapted to other settings”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Rated PG”
- “Contains some thematic elements and conflict typical of western/drama genres”
- “User reviews mention instances of mild ‘foul language'”
- “User reviews mention discussion/depiction of ‘pre-marital sex’ (in the context of the time period/story)”
Professional Reviews
- Original Synthesis: “While The Man from Snowy River II might not capture the singular magic of its predecessor, it remains a visually stunning ride. The Australian high country is as breathtaking as ever, and the horse sequences are undeniably impressive. The story feels a bit rehashed, and the villain is rather one-note, but the core romance and action provide solid entertainment for fans.
- Original Synthesis: “Return to Snowy River delivers on the promise of spectacular scenery and thrilling horsemanship. Bruce Rowland’s score is once again a highlight, perfectly complementing the vast landscapes. The chemistry between Burlinson and Thornton is still strong, even if the plot feels a touch more ‘Hollywood’ than the original. A worthy, if slightly less iconic, follow-up.
- Original Synthesis: “This sequel struggles to justify its existence beyond showcasing more beautiful riding and scenery. The replacement of Kirk Douglas significantly impacts the dynamic, and the romantic drama feels stretched thin. While dedicated fans might appreciate the continuation of Jim Craig’s story, newcomers might find it a repetitive and less impactful viewing experience.
Audience Reactions
Viewers were absolutely captivated by the breathtaking Australian scenery and incredible horse riding stunts.: The stunning cinematography and Bruce Rowland’s memorable musical score were widely praised as carrying the film, alongside the enduring appeal of the central characters and their romance.
Overall Consensus: A visually stunning sequel celebrated for its breathtaking scenery and horsemanship, though opinions are divided on its plot strength and effectiveness compared to the original.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Kirk Douglas declined to reprise his dual roles from the first film, reportedly because he wanted to direct the sequel. Producer Geoff Burrowes opted to direct it himself and cast Brian Dennehy as Harrison.”
- “There are two known versions of the film’s ending: one shown internationally where Jim and Jessica simply return to the hut, and another primarily for the US market where they are shown getting married.”
- “Much of Tom Burlinson’s impressive horseback riding, including complex stunts during the ‘skill at arms’ competition and mountain chases, was performed by the actor himself.”
- “A continuity error exists in one scene where characters Jake and other mountain men are shown riding with Harrison when they were simultaneously depicted having a beer in town; this was due to using footage from the final chase sequence.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Man from Snowy River II?
To watch “The Man from Snowy River II” (also known as “Return to Snowy River”), check major digital video-on-demand platforms. You can typically find it available for rent or purchase on services such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and others. Availability may vary depending on your location and subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Man from Snowy River II, you might like these similar films:
- The Man from Snowy River (1982): The direct prequel, following Jim Craig’s initial rise and proving himself in the high country.
- Quigley Down Under (1990): Another Western-style film set in the Australian Outback, featuring epic landscapes and frontier challenges.
- Open Range (2003): A modern classic Western focusing on a small group defending their way of life against wealthy land barons, similar to the conflict Jim faces.
- The Horse Whisperer (1998): Features stunning horsemanship and focuses on the deep connection between humans and horses, set against a backdrop of beautiful landscapes.
- Lonesome Dove (1989): An epic Western miniseries with sweeping landscapes, a strong ensemble cast, and themes of adventure, love, and the changing frontier, appealing to fans of period dramas with strong character arcs.
🛒 The Man from Snowy River II Related Products
- The Man from Snowy River II Blu-ray/DVD: Own the classic sequel in high definition or standard definition. Features include widescreen presentation (where available) and potentially behind-the-scenes featurettes.
- Bruce Rowland – The Man from Snowy River & Return to Snowy River (Original Soundtracks): A compilation album featuring the iconic and stirring scores from both films, composed by Bruce Rowland. Perfect for reliving the movie’s emotional moments through its music.
- Equestrian Riding Gloves & Gear (Movie Inspired): High-quality riding gloves and basic equestrian gear inspired by the practical, rugged style seen in the movie. Designed for comfort and durability.
- Australian Landscape Wall Art Print: Beautiful wall art prints featuring stunning photographs of the Australian high country landscapes, similar to the breathtaking scenery showcased in the film.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Man from Snowy River II features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “The Man from Snowy River II (Main Title)” – performed by Bruce Rowland
- “Jessica’s Theme (The Horses)” – performed by Bruce Rowland
- “The Race/The Final Chase” – performed by Bruce Rowland
- “The Brumby Run” – performed by Bruce Rowland
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, “The Man from Snowy River II” is a direct sequel to the 1982 film “The Man from Snowy River.” It continues the story of Jim Craig, played again by Tom Burlinson.
Kirk Douglas played dual roles (Harrison and Spur) in the first film. He was replaced in the sequel by Brian Dennehy as Harrison. According to trivia, Kirk Douglas reportedly wanted to direct the sequel, and when producer Geoff Burrowes refused, he did not return. Burrowes ended up directing the film himself.
Yes, the film is widely praised for its spectacular horse riding sequences and cinematography capturing the Australian landscape. Many reviewers highlight the riding, particularly Tom Burlinson’s skills, as a major strength of the movie.
“The Untamed” is an alternate title used for “The Man from Snowy River II” in some regions, particularly the United States. It refers to the same film.
Yes, there are reportedly two versions of the film. One version ends with Jim and Jessica getting married, while another ends with them simply returning to the hut together.
🔥 Bonus Content
Opening to Return to Snowy River 1988 VHS
Ready for a blast from the past? Check out the opening sequence of ‘Return to Snowy River’ from the actual 1988 VHS tape – it’s such a cool piece of movie history and definitely brings back those home video vibes!
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