The Earthling (1980) User Reviews (43)

Becoming self-reliant in the Australian outback

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 30 June 2005]

Australia's outback has never looked as beautiful and rugged as in this 1980 film directed by Peter Conlinson. This Australian-American co-production shows the country as perhaps we have never seen it before. We are given a luxury tour of some of what appears to be an extremely wild area that hasn't been spoiled by man yet.

The story centers around Patrick Foley, a man that is dying. He has returned to the land where his parents settled, perhaps to die there as well. Of course, we don't have a clue about this until almost the last sequence, although we get hints about what's wrong with Patrick throughout the film.

We also are introduced to the Daleys that are seen vacationing in Australia. We see them crossing paths with Foley, only briefly, at a country store. When a freaky accident takes the lives of Shawn's parents, he is left alone to find his way back to civilization. Little does Shawn know that Foley has observed the accident, but he wants to stay away from the young boy. After all, he has his own problems, why bother to take on another?

Shawn decides to follow Foley, who shows him how to do things he normally wouldn't have even dreamed of doing. In the process, the young boy becomes attached to the mysterious man. The long trek both take makes a man out of Shawn, as we realize he will be all right and will live to a productive life.

The surprise of the movie is William Holden, an actor at the end of his career. Mr. Holden gives an extraordinary effortless performance. Rick Shroder, then a young child actor makes a valuable contribution holding his own against the more experienced Mr. Holden.

"The Earthling" is a film that should be seen by young people, as they can learn how to face the reality that Shawn went through in his quest for survival a beautiful land that presented so many challenges to overcome.

The Gift Of Survival

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 11 June 2009]

The story of the making of The Earthling might in itself prove to be as interesting a film as The Earthling itself. The film tries, but doesn't quite make it to the top rung of films that William Holden did. As it sadly turned out The Earthling was the next to last film that Holden completed before he died the following year.

Only in the movies could we have the strange tale about one of the two protagonists dying of cancer, directed by someone who was himself dying of the same. Peter Collinson was terminally ill and knew it when he was directing The Earthling. I'm sure his cast didn't know it though. His own plight might have been what attracted Collinson to the project.

According to the Citadel Film series book, The Films Of William Holden, Collinson was especially hard on young Rick Schroder during the making of The Earthling. So much so that Holden had to intervene and the two bonded.

Which may have helped the film because three quarters of it is only dealing with Holden and Schroder on screen. The two really play well together.

Holden has returned to Australia to die where he grew up in a very rugged part of the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Heading in the same general direction are Jack Thompson and Olivia Hamnett with their child Rick Schroder on a camping holiday. But when their camper goes off a cliff killing the parents and Schroder is left alone in the wilderness, he's lucky to find Holden.

But Bill proves to be a stern taskmaster. He can't tell him that it would be worse to go back, that it's farther than his old homestead. He has to teach Schroder and hope he learns well, the tools needed for survival in the wild. The bulk of the film is concerned with just that.

Collinson died and some scenes were shot afterward, the ending you see is not what Collinson had in mind. But who knows what he did have in mind as the disease ruled him as surely as it ruled Holden's character. The viewers will have to judge for themselves.

Rick Schroder never forgot William Holden and when he married, he named his first child Holden Schroder in honor of the movie legend who was also battling some demons of his own, but took time to help and befriend a young child player.

I think if Rick Schroder reads this review he'd like me to honor William Holden as well. And so this review is dedicated to William Holden one of the cinema's brightest stars.

An earthly find

[videorama-759-859391 · 8/10 · 5 December 2020]

Here is one of those rare movies, that only comes along every so often, as in being something special, thanks to two great American imports who play off other so well, their characters you really wish were father and son, if only for the loss of Schroder's parents (Thompson and Hamlett), prior, in a horrifying vehicle accident. it will make other campers in RV's, wary of parking so close to clifftops. Holden is wonderful as the stubborn, cranky dying man, who heads to his final makeshift place of passing in the NSW hinterlands, rich spoilt stray dog/orphan Schroder was the last thing he was expecting. Thompson and Hamlett shouldn't escape praise, either for their small fine performances, Thompson with an amazing Yank accent, not one trace of ocker in it, while Hamlett is endearing, Their distant relationship with their little son, which lacks any communication, is kind of sad, This is a warm heartening movie, that shouldn't go unnoticed, and Maureen Mcgovern's beautiful song as the end credits rise, is beautifully memorable, as is our two leads.

existentialist statement

[cryofan-2 · 21 January 2001]

This is an "idea" film with a plot. It is deeply existentialist, and tries to drive home the point that we are alive and that this is beyond miraculous, that we must each make our way in this cold universe, ultimately dependent upon no one else. Through life is is hard, and we face death at the end, the struggle to survive is also deeply satisfying.

Holden's character Patrick Foley passes these concepts onto the boy played by Schroeder. The photography is magnificent; the acting is good. The script is incredible. A truly underrated movie.

Holden's Penultimate Film

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 27 May 2020]

Most of this film consists of the interaction between William Holden (Patrick Foley) and Ricky Schroder (Shawn Daley). Foley goes back to Australia after many years to revisit the homestead where he was raised. This is Holden's penultimate film and Schroder's third. The contrast in ages and experience makes this an interesting film, but the beauty of the Australian wilds is the real star of this film.

I am a fan of Holden, but I prefer the film "Walkabout", released in 1971. Both films are worth seeing and both concern journeys that deal with survival and awareness.

Schroder would name his first child Holden in tribute to his older costar. This was the last film directed by Peter Collinson.

The odd couple

[Chase_Witherspoon · 7/10 · 30 December 2012]

"The Earthling" is a much-maligned story concerning Holden's character, terminally ill with cancer, on a pilgrimage to a remote valley in the Australian bush where he lived as a child. Along the way he discovers Schroeder, orphaned after his parents (Thompson & Hamnett) accidentally drive their campervan over a cliff while holidaying in the remote idyll. Together the pair form a mature bond as Holden tries to teach the young apprentice the primitive life skills that will keep him alive in the wilderness, long enough to find his way back to civilisation.

Regularly criticised, I watched this movie for myself many years ago and was surprised by its quality; that of the cinematography, acting and Collinson's direction, culminating in a bittersweet and moving tale that's not as cheesy as some of the previews and reviews imply.

There's a couple of pathos moments that probably didn't need to happen, but generally, the film's tone is sincere and the plot has enough content and momentum to carry its 100 minutes duration. Not a classic, but it's far better than some high profile reviews would suggest, in my opinion.

Wise and moving (NOT cute); a film to treasure

[Moxie · 10/10 · 5 February 2000]

"Cute" he may have been, but Rick(y) Schroder -- before puberty -- was one of filmdom's most sensitive and skillful child performers. And William Holden, far from being one to "add to" a list of modern man-and-boy bonding stories, in this 1980 film virtually founded the category.

I've seen this excellent film three times -- always on late-nite TV. Leonard Maltin gives it two-and-a-half stars: "OK family drama." Yet, over half of its IMDB viewers rated it a 10. Why on earth hasn't it received wider public acclaim??!

At 62 (this was his next-to-last film), Holden looks like he really is terminally ill. The cockles of his heart never are warmed to the kid (that we can see, anyway).

He's bone-weary, making his painful way to the ruins of his long-deserted family home to die, But this squalling, spoiled, self-centered kid is stranded. The man would like to ignore him, but the boy's obvious vulnerability won't let him. And as his strength fails, he could use some help himself.

So they make their way, conjointly, to his dying-place. And on the way, he tries to teach the boy how to survive in the wilderness -- for the child will soon be utterly alone -- and reach civilization.

How and what he teaches him is fascinating -- both practical and subtle. He plunges the city-bred boy from pampered narcissism to basic verities and respect for life and Life. In turn, the child's unevadable need forces this bitter, used-up man to dredge up his humanity and, with his last energy, give it out; to do the right thing.

Both of them change and grow. And it's quietly beautiful. In a sense, this is a coming-of-age film with no age boundaries. Maybe it's a "coming-into-humanity" film. See it. And grasp again (or for the first time) the dignity and beauty that humanness can be.

Australian wilderness survival tale that grew on me

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 10 September 2020]

Patrick Foley (William Holden) is dying, and he's returned to New South Wales after decades of living in the U.S. He plans on making a dangerous trek to the secluded valley where he lived as a child in order to die there. His plans are interrupted when he encounters Shawn (Ricky Schroder), a small American child vacationing in the area with his mother and father. His parents were killed in an accident, and Patrick is forced to take the boy along with him, teaching him the ways of survival so that Shawn can make the journey back to civilization by himself.

I'm usually not a fan of family films, or ones with a kid as a main character, but this one grew on me over time, and by the end I was moved by it. Schroder is still often annoying, particularly when he's shouting that he's God while swinging a dead rabbit around. Holden is craggy and weathered and tired looking, but his usual world-weariness fits with his role as a dying man. The real stars of the film are the beautiful locations and the almost comically abundant wildlife, of all shapes and sizes. This was the next to the last of Holden's credited roles, the very last being the sardonic film "S.O.B". the following year.

A deeply spiritual and heart-touching film

[fyremawth · 10/10 · 27 September 2005]

I'm rarely moved to comment on a movie, but the Earthling is one of my favorites. I like thought-provoking and heart-touching movies, this film aims right at my emotional core and gets me in the breadbasket.

It's not a family film in the Disney sense, but it's a true family film in the spiritual sense. Sometimes the happy ending teaches that life is hard, suffering has a cause and an end, and within us lies the answer to the cessation of suffering: We can endure and find happiness, so long as we remember to find love.

Holden's performance was right-on, playing the embittered but compassionate mentor to Shroeder's traumatized child. The cinematography was outstanding, the Australian landscape was full of color and the story line quite refreshing.

Preachy travelogue

[ArtVandelayImporterExporter · 6/10 · 4 May 2018]

It's heartening to know, according to Stefanie Powers, that Holden and Schroder formed such a loving bond that Schroder grew up to name his two boys William and Holden. And there's some interesing scenery here. But the dialogue is such try-hard tripe. No two guys would act the way Holden and the other geezer yell at each other. Holden mutters to himself to explain to half-wit viewers, presumably, what he's thinking even though we've already figured it out. And what's with Schroder? Is he spoiled or brain damaged. Everybody in this movie yells. Subtle as a sledgehammer and not very satisfying. That said, Holden looks surprisingly good for a guy who would soon die in real life. It's a travesty he didn't live to make better movies or to retire to his property in Africa.

Great outdoor film

[existenz-6 · 10/10 · 1 June 2001]

In the tradition of great outdoor films like "Jeremiah Johnson" and "The Edge", this is an emotional film about human survival and love. Great performances by both actors, wonderful cinematography, and a really tight script make this improbably story believable. This can be a hard movie to find, but go to any good video store (not Blockbuster) and they should have it. It seems like nobody knows about this movie, but it is really one to catch on a Saturday afternoon.

Good...not great.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 20 February 2013]

"The Earthling" is one of William Holden's last films. He was getting older and would a bit prematurely after a fall in his California home. So, perhaps it's fitting then that in this film, Holden's character is dying from cancer. Instead of staying in town and getting treatment, he decides to head back into the outback and die on his own. However, his plan goes a bit awry, as he stumbles upon a young kid (Ricky Schroder) whose parents were just killed. He cannot just leave the kid, as this family was vacationing in the middle of no where---and the child would most certainly die if he doesn't help him. But, instead of being a nice guy about it, Holden's character is quite gruff--apparently in order to toughen the kid up and get him to become self-sufficient. Together, eventually, they form a sort of bond.

So why do I say that the film is good but not great? Well, the film just ends and you really have no idea if the child ever makes it--after all, he's hundreds of miles from civilization! This unsatisfying ending does not ruin the film but it does have an impact. Fortunately, the acting is pretty good but unfortunately, it's set in Australia and NEITHER of the characters sound the least bit Australian....oops!

NOT entertaining, not realistic

[mlcisallyouget · 3/10 · 2 February 2020]

I don't like movies whose "point" does not also translate into an entertaining film. I don't mean that it has to have a happy ending necessarily, but I should say "that was a good movie, and it really made me think." Not this one. The only reasons I'd give to watch this movie are if you want to see views of Australia, if you really like either of these actors, if you have absolutely nothing better to do, or if you like movies with a message that bludgeons you over the head.

I'm honestly surprised at all the praise for this film. It seems as if someone wanted to pay homage to beautiful scenes in Australia, but didn't spend a lot of thought or time on a story to stick in it. And they made a film in Australia, featuring two American actors? Anyway, I find it odd that man supposedly has so little time left that he won't take a starving boy two-days journey back to where he can get help, and yet they hike for days and days more, with hardly any rest or trouble? The child can't remember words or even his name, then suddenly he can speak normally, then he can't? Why didn't the old guy just come out and say, I'm dying kid, you've gotta learn a few things so you can survive when I'm not here? He was so awful, he almost let the kid be torn up by wild dogs. I understand the point that we're all in this alone and we have to fight and learn to survive and be responsible for ourselves. But I don't go for the mentality of "I suffered as a child, and so you should suffer, too." And the dialogue - one minute the old guy doesn't want to say anything, the next he's telling a big, long adult story about his life and it's obvious that this is for OUR benefit to let us in on his backstory, not something natural to the scene. The native animals are so obviously placed in the scenes, hopping by idyllically at the hot spring, or perching scenically on bushes in front of the camera. At times the cinematography seems very set up and forced.

Was this movie just some kind of rehash of lost child stories in Australia (but with an American twist), like the real-life 1960 story of Stephen Walls and the 1978 movie, Little Boy Lost? I am also left wondering - the aborigines must have been aware of this boy wandering around lost - I feel that they would have helped him in some way. They turn up later in the film, briefly, but only as a scare for the child and a vehicle for Holden to espouse some ritual.

In the end, I cannot recommend this movie unless you feel like you need to experience it for yourself. It is painful to watch (I'm not simply referring to the subject matter) and several parts just don't make sense.

Outdoor coming-of-age saga, with a slightly more ruthless tone than normal.

[barnabyrudge · 17 September 2003]

The Earthling is the last film of director Peter Collinson and he was actually in the last stages of terminal cancer during the production of this film. It is also the penultimate film of the great William Holden, and he's quite enjoyable to watch as a hugely insensitive, selfish and hard-to-please old man.

In a story that mirrors the real-life illness of Collinson, an old American returns to his boyhood home in the Australian outback. He has been diagnosed with cancer and has decided to see out his final days in his favourite place. However, the trek to his old family home is a long and arduous one, deep into the outback. En route, he happens upon a young boy whose family have been killed in a horrific camper van accident. Initially annoyed to be lumbered with the boy (Schroeder), the old man eventually teaches him the art of survival in the wilderness and actually grows to love him.

This strange outdoor adventure film feels like it was originally conceived as a family production. However, somewhere along the line it became tougher than that. Perhaps Collinson had directed too many violent thrillers (The Sellout, Open Season, The Penthouse) to judge the tone needed for a family film. Perhaps his imminent death had made him cynical and bitter. Either way, the cruel attitude evident in Collinson's direction - via Holden's character - lends the film a highly unusual element of grittiness. Some critics feel that the film suffers as a result, but I disagree. The film suffers from an over-reliance on wldlife shots and occasional dull stretches, but not because of the tough edge of its main character. The Earthling isn't great, but it's certainly interesting enough to be worth a viewing or two.

An Aussie movie with two Americans playing Americans

[safenoe · 7/10 · 27 November 2016]

I only learned that Briton Peter Collinson, the director of The Earthling, tragically died of lung cancer in the same year The Earthling was released. Peter was famous as the director of the 1969 movie The Italian Job, and here he gives the Aussie touch to a movie with two famous Americans, William Holden and Rick "NYPD Blue" Schroder in the lead.

The two Aussie actors, Jack "Petersen" Thompson and Olivia Hamnett (actually British, but migrated to Australia in 1971) tragically get short shrift in the famous campervan scene which goes off the cliff. Credit to the special effects team for this scene which I still remember to this day. I can only imagine the couple's final words and thoughts as they headed down the cliff in the campervan. It reminds me of the scene from a Knight Rider episode where Michael Knight's evil twin and his beau go off a cliff in their car, and also Thelma and Louise.

A lonely young bird in the end of the world

[g-89622 · 7/10 · 24 December 2021]

I prefer the translation of "The End of the World is a lonely chick", which is more sad and sentimental. One old and one young trek in the mountains, one wants to go back to the old fox dead head hill, one has to go out of the forest to find a new life. It is really sad to see the scene of the orphan burying the old man. So a small child will go to the distance in accordance with the strong man. The disadvantage is that the scenery is not beautiful and the visual effect is average.

I don't know about Family film, but I truly loved this movie

[ranger67 · 10/10 · 18 April 2004]

Most people I talk to perceive this as a bad or downbeat movie. And, yes I concur that it has a very sobering but uplifting point to make. I was 14 years old when I first saw this movie and I found it to be very telling. Most people can't seem to take care of themselves by the time they're in their late 20's, but here is a kid who through a very strict but realistic mentor not only learns to take care of himself, but to be totally responsible for himself. I find it quite refreshing to see a movie, or any other popular culture, advocating that young people not only can but should accept responsibility for themselves and their actions. We, as a culture, tend to treat all kids under the age of 18 as if they can't possibly understand or be responsible for the actions. Very sad! This story tries to shatter that image, and in my opinion, does a wonderful job at it while telling a tale that if focused on correctly can be a great inspiration to a young person today.

Ricky Schroeder Whines

[boblipton · 6/10 · 7 April 2022]

In his next-to-last movie before he drank himself to death, William Holden is going back to a valley to die in Australia, When Ricky Schroeder's parents drive their camper over a cliff, the whiny kid attaches himself to Holden, who gradually calms him down and gets him in tune with his inner Zen.

Good photography, good acting by Holden, lots of whining by Schroeder, which seems to be what was demanded of him in the movies.

A Prophetic Ending for Holden

[yensid · 10/10 · 4 April 2000]

While this wasn't William Holden's last film (S.O.B) was, it makes for a terrific and appropriate swan song. I first saw this movie in theaters as a college student and it really moved me. Schroder's performance is great but William Holden's show the skills of a consumate master. It's a film I now own and will share with my children someday when they can understand it. And the end title music is a keeper. It's a shame Maureen McGovern never put it on a CD.

Very Depressing Garbage!

[daltonml-1 · 1/10 · 15 April 2007]

I saw this movie on cable when I was a kid, and I hated it. Before he starred in "Silver Spoons", Ricky Schroeder was in two worthless movies, "The Champ" (1979) and "The Earthling" (1980). And I always say now, that before he hit big on TV, he had it rough! I mean, these two movies involved the boy's parents getting killed in a gruesome way. It's a wonder he should've considered becoming a priest instead of staying in Hollywood. Anyway, this film was passed by Oscar and for good reasons. William Holden was a grumpy old loser and Ricky Schroeder was a whiny little orphan twerp in this piece of crap. The movie is slow and boring all the way through, not to mention the plot was putrid. I don't recall the music, that's a relief. If for some reason you want adventure Australlian-style, do yourself a favor and rent a "Crocodile Dundee" movie, any of the three, instead of "The Earthling". You'll not regret it at all, mate.

An very good movie for William Holden, one of his last.

[fortionat1 · 9/10 · 10 March 2005]

This was on ShowTime or HBO a number of times in the early 80s when I saw it and whenever it was on I would stop down to watch it. Little Ricky Schroder is excellent at a young age and counters William Holden's maturity for an interesting balance of young and old. I'm not sure why the rating shows a 5.6 since over 60% of the votes for this film were over a 7 and the majority voted a 10. It is definitely worth a watch if you're a Holden fan like I am. While the premise seems unrealistic at first as we go through the movie we find there is much more to this than expected. I liked this movie for the outdoor scenery and the beautiful backwoods areas of Australia. If you get a chance to see this film, please do.

Awesome Acting From William Holden

[tmojoman · 10/10 · 12 April 2007]

This movie is a beautiful artistic statement, from the scenery of the Australian outback to the wonderful performances from William Holden and young Ricky Schroder. This really showed what was best about Holden's natural brilliance as an actor, the detail and emotion he conveys in his work was unparalleled in almost any other actor of his time or really, ever since.

The story is tragic, yet compelling, about a young boy stranded in the wilderness alone when his parents are killed in a auto accident. A lot is learned in this film in surviving with your own inner strength of body and mind, a concept that has basically fallen by the wayside in our day and age.

Fantastic movie that has unfortunately gone under the radar for too long and hopefully will get a resurgence very soon.

Good to learn Kids education

[mrafael · 10/10 · 13 January 2006]

The production is poor, but the performances of the actors are excellent. You can feel the drama in each sense. A newer version or DVD will be appreciated. For Spanish talking people there are no subtitles or anything like that. Also the quality of the audio is poor. I am giving the best score, because is a clean movie for all the family, to teach them that you can succeed in the worst conditions. The film shows a boy (Rick), that is over protected by the parents. They died, so he is alone. Holden sees all the tragedy, but he has a few time (who has enough?)to show him how to survive, live and be good. You must see the film, it has a life lesson, not only for parents.

The Earthling- a classic

[Venture456 · 10/10 · 6 April 2005]

I saw this movie from time to time as a kid on Sunday afternoons. It's a wonderful film with a heart-breaking ending. Fate brings a rough, way-faring loner and a young child lost in the wild outback together and the result is one hell of a story that is sure to touch the viewers emotions. William Holden's character is aged and wants to trek to his father's remote cabin to live out his final days. Along the way he stumbles into Schroeder's character who's parents recently had an accident on their family vacation there in Australia, leaving the child abandoned and unable to survive. Soured by civilization, Holden is reluctant to aid the boy, who's determination to connect with the older man eventually gets through to Holden's compassionate heart of gold.