Where Was Quigley Down Under Filmed? Tom Selleck and Alan Rickman’s Western Drama!

If you’re a sucker for good western dramas with unique storylines, then I’m sure you’ve seen Quigley Down Under (1990). When it comes to Western dramas, filming locations play an important role. So, if you were wondering where this gripping western was filmed, you’ve certainly come to the right place. In this article, I’ll discuss the movie and tell you where was Quigley Down Under filmed. 

Quigley Down Under follows an American rifleman who travels to Australia to get a job done on the order of a wealthy Australian rancher. Soon, he discovers that the job requires him to kill innocent people. The Western drama movie stars Tom Selleck as the protagonist and other eminent and senior actors like Laura San Giacomo, Alan Rickman, Chris Haywood, and Ron Haddrick. 

The Magnum PI star, Tom Selleck, is a renowned actor in Hollywood who has worked in both television and films. Selleck also starred as Richard Burke in the famous sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S. On the other hand, Alan Rickman, who unfortunately passed away in January 2016, was widely known for his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film franchise. 

Now let’s discuss where was Quigley Down Under filmed. The Tom Selleck starrer western drama film was shot in Victoria and Northern Territory, Australia.

Helmed by Simon Wincer and written by John Hill, Quigley Down Under had its Hollywood premiere on 17th October 1990, followed by its wide release in the United States on 19th October 1990. The Western drama film was finally released in Australia on 13th June 1991. It arrived on digital platforms on 15th April 2017. However, it’s time to inform you about the filming locations.

Where Was Quigley Down Under Filmed? Western Drama Filming Locations!

Simon Wincer’s Quigley Down Under did not do great at the box office, earning $21 million against a production budget of $18 million. But it did win several accolades, including a London Film Critics Circle Award and Motion Picture Sound Editors Award. Chicago Sun Times’ Roger Ebert gave the movie an average rating, called it a formulaic neo-western, and praised Tom Selleck, Laura San Giacomo, and Alan Rickman’s flawless performance. 

Wincer is an Australian filmmaker and television director who has directed several telemovies and is also the director of the critically acclaimed family drama film Free Willy. The Western drama film received an audience score of 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and a rating of 6.9 on IMDb. However, let’s move on and learn more about where Quigley Down Under was filmed. 

Victoria, Australia

Much of the Tom Sellick and Alan Rickman starrer Western drama movie was filmed in the Australian state of Victoria, particularly in the port city of Warrnambool. It is situated along the Great Ocean Road and is widely known for its many beautiful beaches, including the most famous Bathing Beach.

Filming also took place in Melbourne and the coastal town of Apollo Bay. Melbourne is Victoria’s capital city and one of Australia’s largest cities—the scene in which the Aborigines take away Quigley was filmed in the Apollo Bay area.

Northern Territory, Australia

The Northern Territory also served as a vital location for filming several scenes. It is widely known for its outback landscapes. A portion of Quigley Down Under was filmed in the nearby town of Alice Springs. Several scenes involving animals were filmed here. However, no animals were harmed during the production process, and a veterinarian was always present in case of an emergency. 

Remember the scene where a horse falls off a cliff? That scene was shot using a mechanical horse and not a real one. All the scenes involving Marston’s home were shot at the Ross River Homestead, which has been transformed into a resort. 

Plot Of Quigley Down Under (1990) | It’s Time For Revenge!

The story of Quigley Down Under revolves around Mathew Quigley, played by Tom Selleck. Mathew is a highly trained rifleman with a modified rifle with which he can shoot anything or anyone from a great distance. He comes across an advertisement in a newspaper that asks for a trained sharpshooter. He answers that and travels to Australia.

Mathew finally meets Elliot Marston, played by Alan Rickman, who wants his service. Soon, Mathew learns about the job, which involves killing a bunch of innocent Aboriginal Australians. He gets furious, and both of them end up fighting with each other. Elliot somehow knocks him out and leaves him behind to die. Eventually, he is rescued by the Aborigines, and then he hatches a plan for revenge.

Final Words

It does not matter if you are a Tom Selleck fan or Alan Rickman fan; if you genuinely love to watch good Western dramas, then make sure you don’t miss out on Quigley Down Under. It is currently available on several digital platforms. To read more filming location articles, watch the Viebly website.