Starlight Hotel

Starlight Hotel DVD

Starlight Hotel - 1987

Challenge Films - 95 min.

Cast: Peter Phelps, Greer Robson, Marshall Napier.
Crew: Screenplay: Grant Hinden Miller; Photography: Warrick Attewell; Editor: Michael Horton; Music: Morton Wilson, Andrew Hagen; Producers: Larry Parr, Finola Dwyer; Director: Sam Pillsbury.

A superbly cinematographed, if thinly scripted adventure, set in rural Otago during the 1930's. It centers on a young and determined Kate (Robson) who runs away from her aunt and uncle to find her father in Wellingon. By chance, she meets up with Patrick (Phelps), a World War I veteran, on the run after attacking a repossession man. They become reluctant traveling companions, each using the other as a cover to elude the law. Meant for a young audience, this "family film" makes for a enjoyable watch. "The Wizard" has a part as the Swaggie, early on in the film.

Censor Rating: PG - Review Rating: B-

AVAILABILITY OF VHS OR DVD COPIES

No known reliable source for new copies in any format. Expect used NTSC copies, in good condition, to sell for about $15us.
NOTE: Regarding dvd copies - There have been regular dvd's that originated from Thailand, but as of 26 January, 2010, when I attempted to obtain more from the Thai distributor, I was told that no more are available. For the record, the dvd comes with optional English or Thai language tracks as well as optional English and Thai subtitles. These discs are R0 (All zones), although the box slick says it's R3. If I am able to find more, I will put up a notice to that affect. The New Zealand Film Commission has re-acquired distribution rights to this film and they are promising that they will be making it available on dvd sometime this year, but have not said when.

Meanwhile, if you want a quality copy on dvd-r, dubbed from the original laserdisc, contact: Laserdisc Specials The quality is excellent, the charge is $20us, payable by PayPal.

SOUNDTRACK ON AUDIO CD

No known soundtrack CDs of this title.

Link to soundtrack sample download

TRAILER & REVIEWS

Opening credits video clip

Information at IMDB

New Zealand Film Archive Info and Reviews

New Zealand Film Commission Synopsis

TV Guide Review

IMDB User Comments

Karl Williams, All Movie Guide Review

Variety Review

Movie Review Query - 5 articles

"...Starlight Hotel is a picaresque tale that charts the unlikely relationship that grows between a 13 year- old tearaway trying to find her father and a psychologically scarred survivor of World War I. For Pillsbury that relationship was the kernel of the film. 'I wanted to show how two selfish people lose self- interest and begin to care. That's a very small thing to make a movie about, but I wanted to see if I could make it work'" - (Brent Lewis, "A moving road movie", New Zealand Listener, April 2, 1988)

OFFLINE REVIEW SOURCES

North & South Review by Brian McDonnell - June 1988

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