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 | 13 July 1979 |
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
External links
- Tim at the Internet Movie Database
- Tim at Oz Movies