Sons of Matthew

This is actually a really solid drama from Australia. The production is bare and simple, but the hardship these farmers/woodsmen endure is real. A lesson in work ethic and sacrifice, living off the rough nature mother earth provides us. Proud work.

With this movie, Charles Chauvel confirms his status as a master of portraying animal husbandry on film. I am normally not one for enjoying the celebration of 'man's taming of nature' - particularly in these times of human-induced climate change that threatens all - but Chauvel does it with such a sense of adventure and romanticism that it is hard to resist. This is an epic film in time (three generations) and space (vast swathes of country) but still full of personal suffering and triumph.