Breaker Morant

Breathtakingly shot, deftly written, superbly acted across the board. It's hard to pick a favorite among so many gorgeous scenes but the finale has to take the cake. Edward Woodward is excellent in the title role, but for me the performances of the film were Jack Thompson - never boring even in his longest speeches - and Bryan Brown as Lt. Handcock, in what might be one of my favorite performances of all time. The anti-war message is all the more powerful for how understated it is.

The performances are majestic, and both the writing and the editing are brilliant. One of the best movies about war and no less than one of the best courtroom dramas too.

I suppose you can't fault it for not measuring up to Kubrick, but I'll take it over Reiner.

Very bourgeois Anglo in its dramatic mannerisms and attempts to be subtle while being overt, as well as its refusal to ask difficult, uncomfortable questions. Beresford swears that he never intended to make a critique of British colonialism, but the ending suggests otherwise, and the flashbacks are too linear and are used as a rather flaccid storytelling device to parcel information out slowly rather than add any real ambiguity. It is well made, but it is hard to see what the fuss about.

War-crimes trial movie that works well, even with long parts of testimony recounted by flashbacks. The official records in this factual incident appear to have been destroyed; this movie takes a more favorable view to the defendants as it tries to identify what, if any, are the "rules of war." Strong actors and some nice camera shots (especially near the end).

Quietly amazing and gets better and more powerful as it goes. Very good intercutting between the court hearing itself and the flashbacks to fill in the details, this story is delivered in an excellent manner and is supported by some extraordinary acting, namely by Woodward and Thompson. Politically stirring, too, with no clear sympathies at any given time.

this was definitely not a film i was naturally inclined to see. and it was very difficult wrapping my mind around it when it started. but boy am i glad i stuck with it, because it turned out to be absolutely touching and beautiful in every way. from the breathtaking cinematography, to the wonderfully nuanced performances, to the brilliantly poetic writing to the heart-wrenching and timeless moral dilemma at its core, this film was a seamless, moving experience.

89.000

The title aside, 'BREAKER' MORANT is a true ensemble piece, focusing not just on Morant but on his fellow soldiers, their harried defense lawyer, and the superiors, associates, enemies, and lovers who factor into their (true) story. The telling of said story aside, the exact point of the film is somewhat vague (it seems to echo PATHS OF GLORY), but the crisp script, handsome production, sharp editing--and the all-around superb acting--make it worthwhile. Yet another gem of Australian cinema.

Incredible movie!

Poets deserve clemency.

I guess it's well meant, although in its effort to expose the British scapegoating of the Australians and self-absolution, it almost ends up absolving the Ozzies. The writing hits some sour notes (crass lines like "This is a war, not a débutante's ball. There are no rules!") and generally it never really lifted off the ground for me. The acting gives it a push.

Military courtroom drama that automatically is compared to Paths of Glory and A Few Good Men. Although it is not as powerful as Kubrick's early masterpiece, it holds a few punches against Reiner's fine, but Hollywood-ish take on military law. First of, acting is great, especially by Jack Thomson. Then there are great speeches. However, the film fails to trigger any deeper emotions or sympathy towards these men. They might have been scapegoats, but they are no heroes.

It's hard to feel the sympathy for most of these people, even with the film's strong attempts to inspire that smpathy, but apart from that it's a very interesting and raw depiction of the hypocrisies of war. The superb acting helps too.

Another truckload of dirt dumped onto the British Empire, with three loyal Aussie soldiers made scapegoats for the sins of British colonialism and militarism in the Boer War. It's sort of an Australian _Paths of Glory_, and the arguments are presented in a manner difficult to take exception to, or see the necessity for. Application of these arguments to the Vietnam War offers good possibilities for increased moral stickiness, but this line of attack would have to be pursued independently.

Interesting film which deals with the peculiarities of war, specifically the politics of war. Stronly Recommended.

Good Movie

Careful, moving military drama which gives a more sympathetic view of the facts than history does.

One of the best uses of the last statement cliches in a trial flick.

Escorted by awesome twitchy moustaches and a couple genius performances (Edward Woodward and Jack Thompson), the court-martial of "Breaker" Morant gets a proper memorial. In 1980, the film was a skewering of war's relative morality. Nowadays, though, its relevance is twisted. You decide if the Brits circa 1902 were terrorists who offed some scapegoats out of moral disgust (or as a negotiating tactic). Quoth the dying Morant: "Shoot straight, you bastards!"

One of the finest war films

Good film.