Funny Things Happen Down Under Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Funny Things Happen Down Under Blu-ray Movie Review

Funny Things Happen Down Under is a delightful and charming classic musical comedy. Produced by Roger Mirams (Runaway Island, Escape of the Artful Dodger). Starring a young Olivia Newton-John (as herself) and television’s beloved Terrible Ten.

In essence, a musical comedy combining new characters and characters from The Terrible Ten television series to form a Christmas season holiday classic. An old-school comedy full of laughs and aimed at the entire family. A journey of song, dance, and laughs.

Kids in Australia countryside have decided to raise some money to save their beloved clubhouse. The kids discovery some dye and mineral water might help to make rainbow colored goats for show and shearing. Could the clubhouse be saved with their new idea?

Featuring The Terrible Ten: Gary Gray, David Morgan, Rodney Pearlman, Joanna Mirams, Gavan Ellis, Robert Brockman, Melissa Orr, Fiona Orr, Beverly Murch, Robert McKenzie. Also featuring the supporting characters Teena (Susanne Haworth), Lennie (Ian Turpie), and Frank (Bruce Barry). Supporting the show, The Terrible Ten add a nice element to the production. Fans of the show certainly will appreciate their appearance while those unfamiliar with the characters will still appreciate their role within the feature-film.

Olivia Newton-John (as Olivia Newton John). What else is there to say? Olivia Newton-John had instant star power and charisma even as a young actress. Olivia Newton-John was always a huge addition to anything she featured in. Funny Things Happen Down Under is all the more compelling as a classic of Australian cinema with her as part of the cast.

The score composed by Horrie Dargie (Ask the Leyland Brothers) is well done and adds to the charms of the feature-film. The music plays a big role and is certainly well worth appreciating. The songs are also essential to the entire experience. As a musical, Funny Things Happen Down Under does a great job of surprising audiences in spades with one great song selection after another – there is so much to love, appreciate, and explore.

The cinematography by Roger Mirams (The Coastwatchers, Two Men of Fiji) is beautiful and a highlight of the film. The visuals add a lot of lighthearted visual splendor to the production. Funny Things Happen Down Under looks gorgeous and the colors are robust. The visual sensibilities of the cinematographer shine through.

Edited by Ray Daley (Time Trax, Ocean Girl) and Lindsay Parker (The Magic Boomerang, Zoo Family), Funny Things Happen Down Under is well paced. The editing is well handled throughout. There is a compelling wholesomeness to the editing oversight that makes this an especially compelling family feature.

Written by John Sherman (The Magic Boomerang, Jackpot), Funny Things Happen Down Under is a classic of Australian cinema. The classic musical-comedy gem is beloved in part because of its fun, upbeat, and melodic songs – which are well interspersed with an interesting and funny story by Sherman. The comedic jokes are well done throughout.

Directed by Joe McCormick (The Terrific Adventures of the Terrible Ten, The Magic Boomerang), Funny Things Happen Down Under is a beloved classic with good reason. Funny Things Happen Down Under compels with song, dance, and comedy fun. Funny Things Happen Down Under is a delight from beginning to end. Well worth discovery for newcomers and worth a revisit for fans.

Funny Things Happen Down Under Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Umbrella Entertainment, Funny Things Happen Down Under is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high- definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The release includes two versions: a fully restored 2K version of the original Australian release version and an extended international version (from a rare print and unrestored). There is an obvious difference between the two prints.

The Australian version (although shorter) is beautifully restored with a gorgeous range of colors. The color reproduction looks excellent and the print looks engaging despite some other flaws (specks and blemishes do appear on both prints). The print isn't in perfect condition but remains significantly better looking compared to the rare international version. The rare international version has a subdued color spectrum and looks almost like a washed-out version – colors don't "pop" and the transfer shows a lot more signs of wear, too. The Australian cut simply looks significantly better and is the preferred way to watch the film.

Funny Things Happen Down Under Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The lossless audio sounds crisp, clear, and engaging. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The score and song selections are well reproduced. The soundstage is excellent. The release provides a robust presentation overall and fans will be pleased with the results of the audio restoration.

Funny Things Happen Down Under Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Umbrella Entertainment limited edition version includes a gorgeous o-card slipcover with compelling key artwork. The release features additional artwork underneath the slipcover.

On disc supplements include:

Extended International Cut (HD, 1:30:09)

Roger Mirams: Goodies and Baddies Featurette (HD, 35:49)

Australian Television Historian Andrew Mercado on Olivia Newton John (HD, 5:37)

Adventures of the Terrible Ten – Four Episodes (HD, 1:15:40)

Funny Things Happen Down Under Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Funny Things Happen Down Under is a classic with good reason. Funny Things Happen Down Under is an enormously charming musical comedy and it is fun for the entire family. The musical holds up as being a enchanting favorite of Australian cinema. Featuring a young Olivia Newton-John in a compelling role in the film. The Blu-ray release features a stunning 2K restoration of the original Australian version, an extended international cut, and a selection of other bonus features. Highly recommended.