Far And Away

Drama, Adventure, Romance

Tom Cruise	Joseph Donnelly
Nicole Kidman	Shannon Christie
Thomas Gibson	Stephen
Robert Prosky	Daniel Christie
Barbara Babcock	Nora Christie
Cyril Cusack	Danty Duff
Eileen Pollock	Molly Kay
Colm Meaney	Kelly
Douglas Gillison	Dermody
Michelle Johnson	Grace

Director	Ron Howard
Producer	Brian Grazer; Ron Howard; Larry DeWaay; Bob Dolman
Writer	Ron Howard; Bob Dolman
Cinematography	Mikael Salomon
Musician	John Williams

Joseph Donnelly (Tom Cruise), a young Irishman with legal problems, and Shannon Christie (Nicole Kidman), the landlord's daughter, leave Ireland to try their luck in America. In America they find menial jobs -- Joseph as a boxer and Shannon in both a chicken plant and as a dancer -- and try to make a living as well as save a little money. Joseph, however, once again gets into trouble which results in them losing their jobs. During this time Shannon's parents have also immigrated to the United States. Their agent begins looking for Shannon to take her back to her parents when Joseph, unable to take care of her, finds them instead and leaves her in their care. Joseph then heads west looking for employment with the railroad. He joins a wagon train in the Oklahoma territory and hears about the government's scheduled Land Run of 1893. The government is offering land free to those who race and claim it first. Since he and Shannon have always dreamed of owning their own land, Joseph decides to join the race. Even though other participants try to beat him out using unfair tactics, he and Shannon ultimately end up the winners.