Tim (film)

Tim

U.S. DVD release cover
Directed by Michael Pate
Produced by Michael Pate
Written by Michael Pate
Based on novel by Colleen McCullough
Starring Piper Laurie
Mel Gibson
Alwyn Kurts
Pat Evison
Cinematography Paul Onorato
Production
company
Distributed by Greater Union Film Distributors
Release dates
  • July 13, 1979 (1979-07-13)
Running time
 109 minutes
Country Australia
Language English
Budget A$600,000[1]
Box office A$809,000 (Australia)

Tim is a 1979 Australian romantic drama film. It was written and directed by Michael Pate, based on the 1974 novel by Colleen McCullough.

Plot

It is the story of the developing relationship between an older, middle-class American woman, Mary Horton (played by Piper Laurie) who lives on her own and a handsome, developmentally impaired 24-year-old gardener, Tim Melville (played by Mel Gibson), whom she hires. Tim lives with his sister, Dawnie (Deborah Kennedy), who is a year older than him, and their parents Ron (Alwyn Kurts) and Emily (Pat Evison). Dawnie marries her boyfriend, Mick Harrington (David Foster). Dawnie and Mick make clear they dislike Mary and oppose her relationship with Tim, but do not state their reason for feeling that way. Emily dies, Tim marries Mary and Ron dies.

Production

Michael Pate first read the book in 1975 and was immediately taken by it. He optioned the screen rights to the book, wrote the screenplay, and decided to direct.[2]

Pate wanted the female lead played by an international actor and spoke with Deborah Kerr, Jean Simmons and Glenda Jackson. Jackson was interested but was not available until 1982 so Piper Laurie was cast instead.[2]

Funding came from Australian Film Commission, the NSW Film Corporation, Greater Union and Channel Nine. Filming took six weeks in August and September 1978.[1]

Reception

The film was one of Gibson's first roles, and was moderately successful in Australia, earning Gibson an Australian Film Institute award for Best Actor. Kurts and Evison also won Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards respectively.

The film was remade for American television as Mary and Tim in 1996, starring Candice Bergen and Thomas McCarthy in the lead roles.

Box office

Tim grossed $809,000 at the box office in Australia,[3] which is equivalent to $3,163,190 in 2009 dollars.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p334
  2. 1 2 Peter Beilby & Scott Murray, "Michael Pate", Cinema Papers, May–June 1979 p347-349, 401
  3. ↑ Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office


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