Rangle River: Dusty Outback Drama from 1936

Is this actually worth your time?

Look, if you have a soft spot for 1930s black-and-white dramas where everyone speaks a bit too clearly, you'll probably enjoy Rangle River. If you get bored by ranch politics or stiff romantic tension, maybe skip it. It's not exactly high art, but it has that weird, charming energy of an early Australian talkie that feels like it’s trying to be a western without quite knowing how.

The whole thing kicks off with Marion Hastings coming home from Europe. She’s got that “I’ve been studying abroad” attitude, which naturally clashes with the rough-around-the-edges foreman, Dick Drake. Their first argument is almost funny because of how much they emphasize the manners. It’s like they’re reading from a pamphlet on how to behave in the bush.

Then there’s the pilot, Reginald Mannister. He just decides to tag along to Australia on a whim because he likes the look of her. Talk about a stalker move, but in 1936, I guess we just called that chivalry. 🙄

The bits that stuck with me

• The river-blocking plot feels like something out of a cheap Saturday matinee, but the stakes somehow feel real just because the landscape looks so thirsty.
• Watching the characters ride horses through the dry riverbed is pretty tense, mostly because you just know that water is coming.
• The sound design during the flood scene? It sounds like a bathtub overflowing in the next room. It’s not exactly epic, but it gets the job done.

It’s kind of funny comparing this to a movie like Tiger Shark. Where that one feels like a punch in the gut with all its nautical grit, Rangle River feels more like a Sunday afternoon radio play that accidentally got filmed. There is this one scene where Reggie flies over the dam, and the editing is so choppy you’d think he’s teleporting around the sky.

Honestly, the best parts are just the wide shots of the station. You can practically smell the dust. The actors are trying their best to look heroic against the heat, even if their clothes look like they were pressed five minutes before the camera rolled.

Don't expect a masterpiece. Expect a movie that likes its cliches well-done. It’s got that specific, slightly creaky quality I usually find in stuff like Quick Trigger Lee, but with more cattle and fewer quick-draw duels. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot. But I didn't hate the hour I spent with it, which is more than I can say for most modern stuff.

Also, keep an eye on the side characters. They’re usually doing something background-wise that makes absolutely no sense if you pay attention for too long. 🤠