Raw Deal is a 1977 Australian western film directed by Russell Hagg made by the company responsible for the TV series Cash and Company and Tandarra.
Contents
Plot
In the 1870s, the colonial administrator hires bounty hunter Palmer and gun salesman Ben to wipe out an army of Irish Catholic revolutionaries in their stronghold. Palmer and Ben recruit three gun men to help them and their mission is successful but when they go to get their payment they are trapped by treacherous officials. Ben and Palmer must fight their way to safety.
Cast
Gerard Kennedy as Palmer
Gus Mercurio as Ben
Rod Mullinar as Alex
Christopher Pate as Dick
Hu Pryce as Ned
John Cousins as Sir Charles
Michael Carman as Sir Frederick
Norman Yemm as O'Neil
Gary Day as Tyrone Leader
Briony Behets as Alex's Lady
Anne Scott-Pendlebury as Dick's Girl
Production
In April 1976 it was announced the film would be called Both Ends Against the Middle and MIke Preston would play a role, off the back of his guest appearance in Tandarra. Preston called the film "an Australian combination of The Magnificent Seven and The Dirty Dozen."
The movie was shot in Sunbury, Victoria and Mungo, New South Wales. Finance came from the Australian Film Commission, the Victorian government, the Seven network, GUO distributors and private investors.
According to Filmink "The film uses Western tropes, but it makes some attempt to adapt to Australia – the plot revolves around the sectarianism of the time, which was a much bigger issue here than in the USA. There's references to Guy Fawkes, and cricket."
Reception
The film was a commercial disappointment and failed to recover its costs.
Patrick Edgeworth later said he felt a key problem with the film was the lack of a strong female role.
Critical
Colin Bennett of The Age said "almost everything about the" film "is second hand American - even the title... We are up to better things now and should dispense with the stupid Raw Deals."
The Sun Herald felt "it makes good news of a well chosen male cast" and "the plot is packed with lively and sometimes crude action."
David Stratton called it "a rather enjoyable romp set in the country’s colonial past... it is handsomely mounted... the action scenes are effectively staged and the actors... are relaxed and professional. The film never sets its sights too high (it’s about on the level of an average spaghetti western), but it is certainly entertaining."