BTW, if anyone recognizes the language used in the subtitles, could you let me know? It looked Slavic, and I thought perhaps it was Russian, but I am really not sure.
The Stranger7/10
Decision Before Dawn7.5/10
Plunder Road6.75/10
The Hitch-Hiker7/10
The Big Heat8.5/10 (Now blocked by youtube)
Stalag 178/10
The Enemy Below7.5/10.
Kiss of Death7.25/10
The Killers8.0/10
DOA7.5/10
Breaker Morant is a really great movie. I caught it on TCM not that long ago.
“Shoot straight you bastards. Don’t make a mess of it.”
GREAT MOVIE!!!!
It’s definitely in my all-time Top Ten.
I understand the depth of feeling and the strange (strained?) relationship between Britain and Australia. In some ways the director was disguising his present-day sentiment by applying them to a situation 80 years in the past (at that time).
It’s trendy among know-it-all lefties to slag off the British Empire and praise those who threw off the yoke of so-called oppression but it’s also interesting (and revealing) to see so many nations staying in the Commonwealth and reaffirming their links to the monarchy. Often overlooked - intentionally - are the elements of Western civilization that were retained in the Commonwealth and I’m not just talking about cricket.
Beyond the specific patriotic differences, the film has a more universal theme i.e. that ‘fair trials’ often aren’t, as we see ourselves in the ceaseless venue-shopping by leftists (including judges) who view the law as an obstacle.
The Duality Of Man is present in nearly every character, especially Morant himself who had a foot in both camps - Victorian society and the Australian outback. Handcock was a typical larrikin (Bryan Brown brought amazing energy to the role) but eventually showed his humanistic, even spiritual side in the face of death. Witton went from innocent abroad to a still-young man embittered for life.
It must be said that despite strong performances all round it’s Jack Thompson who steals the show...a ‘country town solicitor’ who nearly upsets Lord Kitchener’s apple cart.
I agree Edward Woodward was superb in the movie.
He later did the tv series the Equalizer, my late father was a big fan of those episodes.
Harry "The Breaker" Harbord Morant (9 December 1864 – 27 February 1902) was an Anglo-Australian drover, horseman, poet, soldier and convicted war criminal whose skill with horses earned him the nickname "The Breaker". The bulk of his published work appeared in The Bulletin magazine.
During service in the Second Boer War, Morant allegedly participated in the summary execution of nine Boer (Afrikaner) prisoners. His actions led to his controversial court-martial and execution by firing squad. He was found not guilty of a separate charge of killing a German missionary, Daniel Heese, who had been a witness to the shootings.
In the century since his death, Morant has become a folk hero to some in Australia. His story has been the subject of several books, a stage play, and a major Australian feature film.
I’ll watch this tonight. I wonder - you said the film is in english. Perhaps the subtitles are in Australian?
I love this film and have it on Blu-ray. This was the first time I ever saw Edward Woodward in anything, and he beacame one of my favorite actors. No one could do barely contained rage like Woodward. And the film is fairly accurate as well.
Bryan Brown was in the TV series A Town Like Alice
“It’s a new kind of war, George. A new war for a new century. I suppose this is the first time the enemy hasn’t been in uniform. They’re farmers. They come from small towns, and they shoot at from behind walls and from farmhouses. Some of them are women, some of them are children, and some of them... are missionaries, George.”
My opinion hasn't changed...I assume yours hasn't either! ;-)
Oops...forgot to ping you in my Post #35.
And a man’s enemies shall be they of his own household - excellent......