The Returning
| The Returning | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | John Day |
| Written by | Arthur Baysting John Day |
| Based on | an original idea by Simon Willisson and John Day |
| Produced by | Trisha Downie |
| Starring | Phillip Gordon Alison Routledge |
| Cinematography | Kevin Haywood |
| Edited by | Simon Clothier |
| Music by | Clive Cockburn |
Production companies | Echo Pictures New Zealand Film Commission |
Release date |
|
Running time | 91 min |
| Countries | Australia New Zealand |
| Language | English |
The Returning is a 1991 Australia-New Zealand horror film directed by John Day.[1] It had it's premiere in Gore, New Zealand on 16 February.[2] Day was nominated for Best Director the 1992 New Zealand Film Awards.[3]
The film, which Day calls "a powerful love story with all the elements of a psychological thriller", was inspired by a dream. Filming began in February 1990 with Phillip Gordon and Alison Routledge in the lead roles.[4]
Cast
[edit]- Phillip Gordon as Alan Steadman
- Alison Routledge as Jessica Scott
- Max Cullen as Donohue
- Jim Moriarty as George
- John Ewart as Steadman Senior
- Grant Tilly as Dr Pitts
- Jenny Ryken as Charlotte Heatherington
Reception
[edit]John Parker in Onfilm called it an "excellent erotic/psychological/supernatural thriller".[5] Richard Scheib of Moria gave it 1 star and said "Doing an old-fashioned weepie ghost story in this day and age either takes a dedicated romanticism or a great foolhardiness to pull off. Sadly, this New Zealand-made effort, which never seems to have been seen by the wider world, has neither and emerges as a film of astounding silliness. "[6] Jim Murphy in the Age's Green Guide said it "is heavy with Gothic trappings and intriguing enough if you for that sort of thing."[7]
References
[edit]- ↑ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p130
- ↑ Duggan, Frank (13 March 1991), "Gore comes to light for premiere of 'The Returning'", The Press, p. 26
- ↑ "Feature prominent award contender", The Press, 10 April 1992
- ↑ Petrovic, Hans (8 March 1991), "Dream inspires supernatural NZ love story", The Press, p. 29
- ↑ Parker, John (March 1991), "Review of The Returning", Onfilm
- ↑ Scheib, Richard, "The Returning (1990)", Moira
- ↑ Murphy, Jim (19 March 1992), "Imaginative and witty journey", The Age
External links
[edit]- The Returning at IMDb
- The Returning at NZ Film Archive
- The Returning at NZ Film