Simon Wincer is a hard-working director, his efforts can be hit or miss, but I loved his work on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, Lonesome Dove, and D.A.R.Y.L.

Starting with Quigley Down Under, he’s worked with Tom Selleck a number of times, but this was their first feature film together, and Selleck has all the charm you would expect from him as he portrays Matthew Quigley, a long-range marksman who finds himself going to Australia for a job.

Taking the classic Western themes and flavouring it heavily with Australian locations, and ideas, Quigley finds himself in trouble shortly after making landfall. He finds himself paired up with Cora (Laura San Giacomo) whose eccentric personality hides a horrifying trauma. Not to mention he falls afoul of some thugs, only to find out he’ll be working with them as he heads to Marston’s ranch.

Marston is played by Alan Rickman, and that is enough reason for me to have wanted to watch this film. I delight in every single one of Rickman’s performances, but I always love it when he played a baddie.

It seems he needs Quigley’s talents to hunt down and keep the indigenous peoples off of his land. When Quigley learns this, he immediately conflicts with Marston, but he and Cora end up being left marooned in the desert.

As Cora and Quigley slowly make their way through the desert they find themselves aided by the indigenous people, who he protects with his long rifle, as they make their way back to Marston’s ranch for a final showdown.

This is Selleck at the height of his likeability, he exudes charm, looks very comfortable in the Western getup and he towers over the diminutive Giacomo making a wonderful commentary on their blossoming relationship.

It’s fun, though sometimes it feels a little ponderous. Wincer makes uses of the gorgeous locations, and Selleck knows how to play for the camera, and Rickman, well, he was Rickman, he could chew scenery and just exude villainy as needed, and you believe that he’s as bad as he seems,

Giacomo’s moments when she reveals Cora’s backstory is nicely done, and she shines with that emotion. In fact, there are a number of great moments, and Wincer treats the indigenous characters with the respect they deserve while hinting at the mythologies and beliefs that they celebrate.

This ended up being a lot of fun, it could have been a little tighter, with maybe a few more action beats, but Selleck is extremely watchable in this one, delivering wry dialogue and just being his charming self.

Throw in some Rickman, and of course, this film works. Oh! And a score by Basil Poledouris? Done.