Oh maybe the rating is too high but this movie gets better every time I see it. What it represented now seems so quaint - the concept of money you count, and powerful militant unions, and craggy actors dominating a film, very un-PC comments from the characters.
The film is meant to be homophobic but actually offers two very three dimensional gay characters - Charles TIngwell's mother-loving brilliant crime boss, and Frank Gallacher's security honcho who has a crush on Terence Donovan (it's great that Beresford gives the act of shooting to him).
Donovan has the time of his life in the role of his life - he's a complete bad ass (I always felt Rod Taylor should have played this part for Rod's career and the film's financial fate, but Donovan's work can't be faulted). So too Ed Devereaux - it's so exciting at the end to see the dad from Skippy kick so much arse, he's so wonderful in the part, and I'm glad Beresford didn't kill him (which happened in the book).
Tony Bonner was a weak point for me at first but watching it again his weakness works and it is in the script - he doesn't like guns, he's a lover not a fighter (Beresford doesn't even give him one baddy to shoot while Devereaux takes out like four or something).
Every character gets a chance to shine - Donovan, who loathes his wife Jeanie Drynan and misses his racing days; Tingwell and his efficient secretary and mother; Tingwell's henchman who gleefully takes off a toe of Donovan (a scene that retains the power to shock); Candy Raymond, the investigator who talks like a bogan (Lucky Grills pervs on her in a matter of fact way; she does have to do a topless scene but her romance with Bonner is quite sweet); Bonner not liking guns which saves his life; Bryan Brown and his 18 year old lover; Gallacher in love with Donovan; Lucky Grills complaining about being overlooked; coughing unionist Ray Marshall, with his Asian bride/lover; Frank Wilson as the exasperated but decent boss.
This is an action masterpiece. Maybe I wouldn't like it as much in the cinema but it just flies by.
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