Poetry Friday: The Man from Snowy River
But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head,
And he swung his stockwhip round and gave a cheer,
And he raced him down the mountain like a torrent down its bed,
While the others stood and watched in very fear.(“The Man from Snowy River,” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson, 1890. Full text here.)
We like this movie, especially the scenes where the young horseman trains a thoroughbred using gentler methods. But only more recently have we discovered the narrative poem on which the movie is based. I read it to my daughters this week and they listened raptly. “It’s more like a story than a poem!” said my 9-year-old.
Then I found it on YouTube, read properly with an Australian accent by Frankie J. Holden, and with footage from the movie. I want to share it here.
Poetry Friday is hosted at Sheri Doyle this week.
10 Comments
jama
What a great reading — love that Australian accent :). I’ve only seen parts of the movie and never knew the poem before. Thanks for sharing!
Jeane
Oh, that was wonderful! I had no idea the movie was based on a poem. I had forgotten how much I liked that film- I must have watched it with my sisters four or five times when I was a teen. Makes me want to go watch it all over again. This clip was very well done, with all the right snippits from the film. I still remember my favorite bit when the wild horses running suddenly crossed a patch of snow and the music turned all airy and tinkly. It gave me shivers. Probably still will when I see it again.
Janet
I know just the part you mean!
Doraine Bennett
Love, love, love this! One of my family’s all time favorite movies. I didn’t know the poem. Thanks for sharing it.
Bridget Magee
Wow, very cool. The Australian accent is lovely, isn’t it? =)
Linda Baie
Like the others I have loved this movie, have forgotten all about it & didn’t know it was based on a poem. How beautiful. I loved that part at the end, especially those lines about the stars at night. Thank you for sharing!
Sheri Doyle
I enjoyed this. Thank you!
Ruth
A movie based on a poem? Are there any others or is this unique?
Janet
As far as I know, this is the only movie based on this poem…
Barbara H.
I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to listen to this since I first saw you had posted it. It was fantastic. We’ve watched that movie several times and the soundtrack is one of my favorites. I knew it was based on a poem but had never looked it up. Thanks for doing so and posting it!