The Man from Snowy River was released 35 years ago, it changed this man’s life

Tom Burlinson was the star of The Man from Snowy River 35 years ago, how did it change his life? He is doing a new stage show with Melinda Schneider.

Young at Heart - Melinda Schneider and Tom Burlinson.

THE Man from Snowy River was released 35 years ago this year, a movie that changed Tom Burlinson’s life forever.

Speaking to Confidential, Burlinson, who was the young star of the film, said the huge success of the film around the world thrust him into international stardom.

“I was a young actor, trying to make a living, doing some theatre and a bit of television,” he said.

“Then I was cast in the movie, and when we were making it, we had no idea how successful the movie was going to be.

“The Man from Snowy River became the No. 1 box office film of the time, and that was unheard of for an Australian film.”

Actors Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton in a scene from the 1982 film The Man from Snowy River . Image supplied Picture: Supplied

The film made over $20 million domestically back in 82’, which was a huge figure of the time.

“It lead to international exposure for me, it lead to lost of other work,” Burlinson said.

“After all these years, and I’ve been in the business for 40 years, the one thing I’m asked about the most is Snowy.

“It is still very much loved.”

Burlinson, alongside Melinda Schneider, will be in Melbourne on June 16 for their new stage show Young At Heart, which combines the music of Frank Sinatra and Doris Day.

Schneider said she would never have thought in the eighties when The Man from Snowy River was huge, that she would one day be working with Burlinson.

The country singer is well known for her interpretation of Day songs, as Burlinson is with Sinatra songs.

She said the two were a natural on stage fit.

“I had only met Tom a few times at different shows when I called him out of the blue,” she said.

“It was one of those funny feelings that you sometimes get.”

For more information and tickets to Young At Heart, go to www.artscentremelbourne.com.au.