The Earthling

The Earthling is a 1980 American-Australian adventure film starring William Holden and Ricky Schroder. It was filmed in Australia in 1979. Peter Collinson directed the film and died after it was released. The film follows an orphan boy and a traveling man surviving in the forest.

The Earthling
Directed byPeter Collinson
Produced bySamuel Z. Arkoff
Elliot Schick
John Strong
Written byLanny Cotler
StarringWilliam Holden
Rick Schroder
Music byBruce Smeaton
CinematographyDonald McAlpine
Edited byNicholas Beauman
Distributed byFilmways Pictures (USA)
Release date
24 July 1980
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
Australia
LanguageEnglish
Budget$4.5 million[1]
Box officeA$72,000 (Australia)

Plot

While dying of cancer, Patrick Foley goes to the outback where he was born. He declines medicine and is at peace with his decision to die alone in the woods. On his journey, he notices a family camping. 10-year-old boy Shawn Daley discovers his parents falling from the cliff to their deaths, after losing control of the recreational vehicle. Despite being selfish and having an ethical dilemma, Foley accompanies Shawn. After days of educating about surviving the wilderness, they forgive each other. After Foley dies, Shawn travels alone in order to leave the forest and return home.

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 in the US but later became something of a daytime staple on HBO and other cable-movie channels during the early and mid 1980s. The film has an 89% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 382 user ratings.

It grossed $72,000 at the box office in Australia.[3]

See also

References
  1. AN AUSSIE WELCOME FOR 'EARTHLING' Johnson, Patricia. Los Angeles Times 20 Jan 1980: n24.
  2. Scott Murray, "The Earthling", Australian Film 1978-1992, Oxford Uni Press 1993 p 56
  3. Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office
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