Not a whole lot happens with the plot, so they seemingly stretch just about every scene out to make it "feature length." They also throw in a lot of scenes apparently at random without any thought to story cohesion.

Of course, the film is also about as low budget as low-budget movies get. I swear at times I thought I was watching a film made by a bunch of high schoolers. The picture quality is pretty rough - even by 1970s standards.

The only people who just might like to pick up this DVD are die-hard Gibson fans. There are those who might enjoy seeing him in a movie filmed in his native Australia where he still has his thick native accent. So, with that in mind, there are perhaps some who might find some nostalgia in buying this one.

If Gibson had not starred in this movie, I very much doubt it would have ever made it to DVD in the 1st place. This is an obscure movie, and clearly there is a REASON it's obscure: it's dull, bland & boring!


The best debut I've ever seen   August 10, 2001
Dan Heinrich (bp,mn,us)
3 out of 6 found this review helpful

A very interesting movie and great acting for a debut film, if you can get past the very odd camera angles and ocasional dumb old joke this is a worth while great film Mel Gibson all the way


1973 filming   May 25, 2001
Megan (Maryland)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

The plot of the story was, i admit, enticing and well thought out. However, the film quality is horrible. Mel Gibson himself stated that he wished the film never saw daylight. It's a cheap flick you can find in bargain bins for a buck fifty, i know, thats where i got mine. The only reason it's part of my collection is because im a die hard and dedicated mel fan...thats it. You can't get through the entire movie without turning it off...the sound is horrible, and the picture is very unclear. Very low grade flick.


Tim   August 16, 2000
1 out of 4 found this review helpful

This was by far the best Mel Gibson performance I have ever seen. His depth and breadth of character was amazing. I have to admit I giggled through the first viewing(did we really dress like that in the 70's?) but I've seen it six times and read the book by Colleen McCullough. By the way, a 24 year old Mel in short shorts is a bonus!

Mel and Piper Laurie put forth great performances as a mildly retarded handyman and an emotionally retarded middle-aged spinster. Tim sees the world simply as made up of beautiful details, while Mary views it from afar inside her coccoon of solitude. Tim brings out emotion and caring in Mary that she had lived without her entire life, while she awakens intellectual freedom within him by teaching him to read and write. Their friendship begins quite platonically, and it is refreshing to experience innocent love and mutual respect rather than what we have put before us today on video. Their friendship develops and deepens as they spend more and more time together. Truly a sweet, sweet movie and a great performance by Mel who's Adonis-like looks are overwhelming.

Piper Laurie is great as Mary who evolves from a matriarchal frump into a loving, sharing woman all due to this person who puts no demands on her and loves and respects her simply for who she is. It will make you reminisce about your first kiss and all the innocence and inner discovery that led up to it.