Raw Deal is a 1977 Australian western film directed by Russell Hagg made by the company responsible for the TV series Cash and Company and Tandarra.'Cash & Co and Tandarra' at Australian Classic Television
Plot In the 1870s, the colonial administrator hires bounty hunter Palmer and gun salesman Ben to wipe out an army of Irish Catholic revolutionaries in their stronghold. Palmer and Ben recruit three gun men to help them and their mission is successful but when they go to get their payment they are trapped by treacherous officials. Ben and Palmer must fight their way to safety.
Cast Gerard Kennedy as Palmer Gus Mercurio as Ben Rod Mullinar as Alex Christopher Pate as Dick Hu Pryce as Ned John Cousins as Sir Charles Michael Carman as Sir Frederick Norman Yemm as O'Neil Gary Day as Tyrone Leader Briony Behets as Alex's Lady Anne Scott-Pendlebury as Dick's Girl
Production In April 1976 it was announced the film would be called Both Ends Against the Middle and MIke Preston would play a role, off the back of his guest appearance in Tandarra. Preston called the film "an Australian combination of The Magnificent Seven and The Dirty Dozen."
The movie was shot in Sunbury, Victoria and Mungo, New South Wales. Finance came from the Australian Film Commission, the Victorian government, the Seven network, GUO distributors and private investors.
According to Filmink "The film uses Western tropes, but it makes some attempt to adapt to Australia – the plot revolves around the sectarianism of the time, which was a much bigger issue here than in the USA. There's references to Guy Fawkes, and cricket."
Reception The film was a commercial disappointment and failed to recover its costs.David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p267-268
Patrick Edgeworth later said he felt a key problem with the film was the lack of a strong female role. Critical Colin Bennett of The Age said "almost everything about the" film "is second hand American - even the title... We are up to better things now and should dispense with the stupid Raw Deals."
The Sun Herald felt "it makes good news of a well chosen male cast" and "the plot is packed with lively and sometimes crude action."
David Stratton called it "a rather enjoyable romp set in the country’s colonial past... it is handsomely mounted... the action scenes are effectively staged and the actors... are relaxed and professional. The film never sets its sights too high (it’s about on the level of an average spaghetti western), but it is certainly entertaining."Stratton pp 267-268
Accolades Award Category Subject ResultAACTA Awards(1977 AFI Awards)Best Supporting ActorChristopher PateBest SoundBruce Lamshed
References
External links
Raw Deal at Oz Movies Raw Deal at Letterbox DVD Raw Deal at Screen Australia