The Riddle of the Stinson (1988 TV Movie) User Reviews (8)

Above average TV Movie

[richardpickren · 7/10 · 7 April 2021]

Nicely done Aussie TV movie highlighted by good cinematography, acting and directing. The film is based on a true story.

Sadly, the film is marred by an ill conceived music score. The ever present solo bluesy harmonica is annoying and anachronistic.

The Beauty and the Terror.

[davidjparris · 8/10 · 8 February 2021]

This is is an amazing tale of disaster and rescue told in a straight forward but entertaining style.It was a treat to see a youngish Jack Thompson cast as the bushman/rescuer of this tale. I had almost forgotten what a great screen presence he was.The beauty and the terror of the Great Dividing Range is also a character.I can highly recommend this movie.

Solid storytelling above avg tv production

[phlbrq · 8/10 · 6 July 2020]

At this writing, free on YT. Helluva story well dramatised. I've a partiality for Aussie stuff but any U.S. audience will find this engaging.

An excellent Australian movie...

[chickensue · 10/10 · 16 May 2005]

This is one of those films that because it was made for TV it really never got enough screening to give it the credit it was truly due. The acting and directing is superb and the storyline based on fact makes the whole thing riveting from beginning to the end. We are taken with a small group of passengers into a nightmare situation as their light aircraft crashes in the middle of an immensely forested area in Australia's Great Dividing Range. That's bad enough, but to make matters worse the captain had to change course to avoid a storm ahead of them and wasn't able get through on the radio before they went down. Consequently the search and rescue team are looking in the wrong place for the survivors. The hopelessness of the survivors is graphically shown in all its raw detail even to the fact that the forest canopy is hardly marked where the plane went in adding even more to their terrible plight. A truly excellent piece of work by all concerned. I recorded this movie by chance late one night in the early nineties on VHS and have just copied it on to DVD so as not to lose it on an ever-decaying tape. 10 -10

A good movie seldom mentioned

[simmi · 9/10 · 3 April 1999]

This is a great movie. Good story, good script lively characters based apparently on a true event. It seem to me hard to find information on this movie anywhere and I have not seen any references to it other than here.

Brilliant and inspiring.

[keithcresswell2 · 10/10 · 27 August 2007]

I saw this film about 17 years ago. It was on TV late at night I was about to go to bed but got hooked. It was and is one of the most inspiring films I have seen. I choke up just thinking about it. Coincidentally not long after seeing the film I found myself at OReillys guest house; I had not realised the connection and was overwhelmed to actually be having dinner with one of the family. I gave my comments on the film and was surprised to hear that the O'Reilly family hated it and actually commissioned their own film (which I have not seen). I would really like to see this film again but its almost as if it never existed.

Search for copy.

[edwarl · 7 November 2004]

Hulo all. I would like to see this movie but I cannot obtain a copy. Can anyone help. I have tried various searches for this Kennedy/Miller production with no success. It may be that it has been deliberately pulled "out of circulation" here for legal reasons. The star is Jack Thompson who has made some very good films in his time. We recently saw a TV documentary update on the Stinson crash which provoked much interest in the subject.I am trying to view a number of Australian aircraft disasters and this one stands out. I was recently "on the spot" of a RAAF/citizen deaths disaster of 1955 on the "Main Range" mountains of south east Queensland not too far from the Stinson crash much earlier. ( Now in June 2005 we have just seen the passing of Graham Kennedy, a truly wonderful personality of Australian TV and films and was a co-producer of this film and many others.) Thanks. Laurie.

Cracking Aussie film

[rob-976-221970 · 9/10 · 2 March 2011]

I love this film. I caught it by chance one night on TV many many years ago and have tried to locate a copy ever since. Now that I have found one and have been able to watch it again I can see why it made such an impression.

True stories always intrigue me and with the added bonus of old planes and great scenery it's a must. Great acting too and a heart warming human story, with a real 'Aussie' feel about it. The period feel is beautifully captured.

Hopefully one of the many Sky movie channels will eventually show it again as it's long overdue. Look out for it.