Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Australian-set Western has guns, violence, nudity, racism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Quigley Down Under
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER follows American sharpshooter Matthew Quigley (Tom Selleck), who travels to 19th-century Australia for work and falls foul of local landowner Elliott Marston (Alan Rickman).
Is It Any Good?
Transplanting '90s-era Selleck into the 1860s Australian desert to star as a rugged sharpshooter will be all the information some people need to tune into this reliable but not spectacular Western. In the years since its 1990 release, Quigley Down Under has also amassed a cult following for its detailed depiction and discussion of firearms from the period, with the "Quigley rifle" now a standard term for the Sharps guns used in the movie.
However, anyone with a low boredom threshold for lengthy shootouts might find the movie's two-hour runtime akin to sitting a bit too long in the sun. Selleck delivers as the brawny, compassionate hero that the script requires him to be. But there's no escaping the repetitive nature of his battles with Rickman's petty, murderous Marston, who finds out the hard way that the Outback isn't going to be big enough for the both of them. Adding a dash of emotional depth is Laura San Giacomo's "Crazy Cora," whose hyperactive performance is eventually allowed to settle down into something more measured. Like the rest of the movie, it might not be subtle, but it hits its intended target.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Quigley Down Under. Did it seem realistic to you? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Discuss British colonialism as depicted in the film. How much did you know about this part of history? How did Quigley's attitude to the Aboriginal people differ to Marstons? Why is it important to respect other cultures?
Discuss Cora's mental health. How did she deal with traumatic events from her past and how did her behavior change after she shares her story with others? Why is it beneficial to talk about things that make you upset and angry?
How do some of the characters demonstrate compassion, courage, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths? Can you think of a time when you've demonstrated these traits?
There is some nudity in the movie. Was it handled sensitively? Did it add anything to the story? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 19, 1990
- On DVD or streaming : September 4, 2001
- Cast : Tom Selleck , Laura San Giacomo , Alan Rickman
- Director : Simon Wincer
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : MGM
- Genre : Western
- Topics : Adventures , History
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 119 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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