The Earthling
The Earthling is a 1980 American-Australian adventure film directed by Peter Collinson, and starring William Holden and Ricky Schroder. It was filmed in Australia in 1979.
| The Earthling | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Peter Collinson |
| Produced by | Samuel Z. Arkoff Elliot Schick John Strong |
| Written by | Lanny Cotler |
| Starring | William Holden Ricky Schroder |
| Music by | Dick DeBenedictis Bruce Smeaton |
| Cinematography | Donald McAlpine |
| Edited by | Nicholas Beauman |
| Distributed by | Filmways Pictures |
Release date | 24 July 1980 |
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United States Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4.5 million[1] |
| Box office | A$72,000 (Australia) |
Plot
Patrick Foley goes to the outback while dying of cancer. He declines medicine and is at peace with his decision to die alone in the forest. As he sees a family camping, Shawn Daley discovers his parents losing control of the recreational vehicle and falling to their deaths. Despite having an ethical dilemma, Foley accompanies Shawn. After days of educating survival, they forgive each other. As Foley dies, Shawn continues travelling.
Production
The film was shot from September to October 1979 in the Blue Mountains, Barrington Forrest and Warrumbungle National Park. It was reported that Holden and Schroder got along while filming. Schroder named one of his children Holden in honour of his co-star.[2]
Reception
The film drew greatly mixed reviews, with some critics reviling it, while others praised it. It played to little notice in theatres, but later became something of a daytime staple on HBO and other cable-movie channels in the 1980s. It grossed $72,000 for box office in Australia.[3]
See also
References
- AN AUSSIE WELCOME FOR 'EARTHLING' Johnson, Patricia. Los Angeles Times 20 Jan 1980: n24.
- Scott Murray, "The Earthling", Australian Film 1978-1992, Oxford Uni Press 1993 p 56
- Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office