Search - Bush Christmas on DVD

Bush Christmas
Actors: Chips Rafferty, John Fernside, Helen Grieve, Nicky Yardley, Stan Tolhurst
Director: Ralph Smart
Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Comedy, Kids & Family

NR 2005 1hr 20min

Four children...Two horse thieves...One amazing adventure! Saddle up and get ready to ride on a daredevil rescue mission that's a holiday delight! For four children in a small outback town, it's the last day of school an... more »

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Movie Details

Actors: Chips Rafferty, John Fernside, Helen Grieve, Nicky Yardley, Stan Tolhurst
Director: Ralph Smart
Creators: George Heath, Ralph Smart, J. Arthur Rank
Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Comedy, Kids & Family
Sub-Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Comedy, Classics, Family Films
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Format: DVD - Black and White,Full Screen - Subtitled
DVD Release Date: 11/08/2005
Original Release Date: 01/01/1947
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1947
Release Year: 2005
Run Time: 1hr 20min
Screens: Black and White,Full Screen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 0
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English
Subtitles: English, French

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Member Movie Reviews

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 1/22/2025...

A black and white classic with some great storytelling! Australians really know how to make their movies!

Timothy B. (bat115) from BAKERSFIELD, CA
Reviewed on 10/17/2013...

This is a wonderful Christmas movie for the whole family. The kids in this are great actors. Very action packed which was a surprise for me.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Darryl M. (dmill1953) from POWDER SPGS, GA
Reviewed on 11/17/2010...

For an early black and white movie, it was quite good. It had a spellbounding story line and the acting superb.

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Justina C.
Reviewed on 7/27/2008...

Filmed in black & white. An adventure story for children.

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Movie Reviews

Classic Australiania

Sasi | Wonthaggi, Australia | 12/19/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This film is a light-hearted film that kids and adults will enjoy. I had a laugh at the way Australians were portrayed - It was so exaggerated. It made it funny in a nice way- I reckon if they re-released the film, it would almost get cult status. Mum in the kitchen cooking and all perfectly made up in the middle of the Bush. The stereotypical portrayal of Aboriginals (which are referred to as blackefellas believe it or not) as good stockman and trackers. (which they were but there is alot more to ABoriginals than that - ie their culture, spirituality). The Aussie kids all blond and freckled with names like Snow (How original!)
Australia had come such as long way, and we like to laugh at ourselves! This film is a bewdy mate!"

Summer Christmas

A. Olive | Southern California, USA | 01/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes Christmas in Summer down under, and in a long gone era. I first viewed this film when I was about eight or so, with my Grandpa stating how he actually filmed this movie. It is a long gone era in Australian history with everyone having a slight British accent, but northern hemi-sphere viewers do get to see Christmas in the summer instead of winter. As for some of the references to Aboriginals.......my kids didn't even pick them up (6 & 7 ages), funny to think how half these lines would now have this movie poorly judged, but as I said my kids didn't even pick them up and laughed with the jokes. And my kids are black! This movie also featured the late Chips Rafferty who was one of Australia's most premiered stars, and always portrayed that so called "Australian look and sound"."

Bush christmas

H. Vennemann | 11/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this film as a 13 year old in Holland, after migrating to Australia saw it several times and enjoyed it, am now 66 years old and still enjoy it"

"Walkabout" for a Pre-Teen and Middle School Audience

Only-A-Child | 12/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Don't be scared away by the title, "Bush Christmas" (1947) has nothing to do with George W. or his father. They are referring to the Australian "Bush" and this is a children's film that no doubt was a heavy influence on Nicholas Roeg"s "Walkabout" (1971); as well as its source novel by James Vance Marshall. In both a small band of children find themselves in the bush country and out of their element, getting survival tips from a native boy. "A Far Off Place" (1993) and "Alaska" (1996) also appropriated many elements of the story. "Bush Christmas" is the least gritty of the four films but the most believable and the least manipulative.

It should remind the viewer of the modern Australian television show "Saddle Club" as the kids are around horses all the time; even riding them to and from school. And the plot involves Grinch-inspired horse thieves who almost ruin Christmas for the family when they steal their prize mare, leaving her young colt behind. So the five children head into the bush to track down the horse thieves, while their parents and the police search for them. There is even a Ghost Town (also found in "Walkabout") although you have to suspend disbelief when the until now very perceptive children inexplicably take too long to recognize that the horse thieves are its only residents.

Worth noting is that Helen Grieve plays the only girl in this group of adventurous children but there is no condescension to her, she rides better than the boys and takes on a kind of "Wendy" from "Peter Pan" role in the group.

Christmas in the southern hemisphere is a summer event but the holiday is still celebrated with winter wonderland decorations, presents, and a tree.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child."

"Bush Christmas"

Peggy Ann Adler | Clinton, CT United States | 02/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I enjoy this movie as much today as I did as a child. Oh how I envied the kids in the film. Riding to school on horseback. And having the adventure of a lifetime. All the while presenting a slice of life, during World War II, in rural Australia."