Three British officers (Australian Unit) are on trial in a military court martial for an incident during the Boer War. England wants to prosecute and find the three guilty for political reasons. They are going to be scapegoats for the whole breakdown of command and the following of orders. We watch the trial play out in real time and get flashbacks leading up to and and after the incident. The odds are stacked against the defendants and the death penalty looms over them. Will the three catch a break and be found not guilty or will they pay with their lives for the crimes.( based on a true story.)
This is one really good film. From the stark military court proceedings to the harsh beautiful African landscapes where the action takes places. Bruce Beresford doesn’t make a wrong move telling this story. He captures every moment and pulls us in and engages us in his historical film.
The casting and performance make Beresford’s job easy. They are perfect. So many great supporting roles and the leads are living breathing people. Edward Woodward (Morant), Jack Thompson (defense counsel), Bryan Brown (accused), Rod Mullinar (prosecutor), Lewis Fitz – Gerald (accused). All cast members do a great job in making the film authentic.
I have seen some very good court dramas but this one is near the top. Well written, Beresford tells a great compelling story (with the camera) and takes us to this time and place. Realistic, brutal and truthful. Great cinematography that captures the mood. War is brutal (even on a small scale like Breaker Morant) and this movie doesn’t pull its punches. It shows the futility and madness of the whole exercise. A nasty bit of business.
You wont feel cheated watching this motion picture. I didn’t. Highly recommended CB film.
“These horrors are committed by normal men in abnormal situations”.
“I’m a pagan too”
Had forgotten all about that film, thanks for reminding me that it is certainly one that I must see. All the best CB!
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I did also until I rediscovered it. Lots to contemplate in this one.
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Yes, I will certainly look for it CB, thanks again!
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Great flick. I haven’t seen it in years though.
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Stands up very well tref.
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Nice one, CB. Powerful film. “We applied Rule 303, Sir!” Wasn’t young Jack Thompson great as the lawyer?
We’ve been doing film ‘seasons’ with the boy. Starting with his love of Star Wars we did Sci-Fi, then ‘Time’ as a central theme (though we skipped Momento). Then Westerns (via Westworld!!) and most recently ‘Coming of Age’ films (he liked Almost Famous). I’d been wondering about war films as I’m not a massive fan, but thanks to you, I reckon we have a starter in Breaker Morant.
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That quote is so good! Yes Jack is “great”. His character is thrown to the wolves but he is up to the challenge but not to the politics.
Very cool on the film journey with the lad. Morant mixes war with the courtroom but finds a prefect balance. Beautifully shot Bruce.
You have that quote ringing in my ear. Nice to see you chiming in on the celluloid side of things.
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Man, It has been years. I do remember liking this one, but might need to revisit this as it has been to long.
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I think you would enjoy it. Didnt take me long to get caught up in the story.
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Will look for this one sir on the stream sites. Great stuff as always.
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Im pretty sure you’ll like this one deKE.
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The title rang a bell but I’ve never seen it. It has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is almost unheard of. My wife will like this. She’s watched ‘A Few Good Men’ about 3,000 times. She loves courtroom dramas, war less so.
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There’s a battle in the courtroom in this one. Fantastic film! Not a lot of big battle scenes scene. Courtroom drama mostly but when you film in such beautiful country you have to take the camera outside once in a while..
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Great one. Beresford directed a bunch of other terrific films, such as Driving Miss Daisy. I think that Ackroyd won an Oscar for DMD.
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Yes he did. Ever seen ‘The Black Robe’? I like that one a lot. Here’s one for you Neil. Ive never seen Daisy.
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My wife and I saw a couple of movies at movie theaters recently: Respect, the one about Aretha. Liked it a lot. Blue Bayou, which I liked but didn’t love.
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Aretha is a pretty complex subject to tackle. Good for you guys to get out in the real world and catch a flick.
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I saw this when it came out, and yes, it’s a great courtroom drama.
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The name sounds familiar but don’t think I ever saw this one.
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I think I remember you mentioning “courtroom dramas”. This is a good one Lisa.
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I put in for it last night at the library. Will let you know my thoughts after seeing it.
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I have a feeling it will be a like on your part.
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Never saw it, but if it can pull out a win despite most courtroom shows being boring, then I’ will add it to the list. Also, that is one serious moustache.
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Not your usual courtroom fare. Perfect balance and the argument will grab you and frustrate and a few other things as well. You dont film in a beautiful location and stay inside. I think you’d like it. Yeah, “the stash” is good.
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Added to the list.
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I saw this movie at the theatre when it first came out and reviewed it (favorably) for my journalism Review and Criticism class. Gotta see it again!
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Id like to see your original review. The film is so good. More than stands the test a time. Maybe because it’s a period piece. Good to hear from ya,
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I think I still have the review, buried within other school papers in my trunk in the basement. Will look for it next time I venture down there, but I’ll probably cringe when I see how I wrote back then!
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You would probably get a laugh out of it.
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I’d forgotten about this film. I can’t remember when I first saw it but I do remember the feelings it stirred up in me…very thought provoking.
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Beresford made a very “thought provoking” film. A lot of folks were confused about what the film was getting at. Worth another watch Queen.
(Listening to Paul right now. Also, caught the new Burns doc on Ali. Fantastic. Sprinkled with great music)
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I had never heard of this one CB, looks great. I like Edward Woodward.
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Great motion picture on all counts. Edward gives a standout performance. The casting is perfect. Cant say enough about this one.
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Watched most of it last night but finished it this morning while drinking my first cuppajoe. The film could be a statement against atrocities for any war. I was impressed by how it was put together, where so much of the drama took place within that stark room, yet it was brought to life through the flashbacks and moments the prisoners shared while jailed. How each one of the excellent ensemble was able to shine as an individual was really something. The defense attorney, Jack Thompson, was the standout performance for me, but, as you said, each one of them played their parts just right. The special features disc that came with it is cracked which is aggravating because I wanted to learn more about the true story. I see one of the 3 accused ended up writing a book about it. Thanks for the recommend, CB!
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Good stuff Lisa. You nailed the film better than I did. Jack Thompson was a “standout” like you say. We are passing some good films back and forth.
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I’d like to see more movies with these actors and that director. Know any good ones?
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Two Beresford films that I really like are ‘Tender Mercies’ and the ‘Black Robe’. He did ‘Driving Miss Daisy and ‘Crimes of the Heart’. Plus a bunch more. I dont think you can go wrong.
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Thanks for the heads-up on Beresford. Will do a library search and see what they have of his.
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I like based on true stories movies…this one sounds good CB…I will have to check this one out! I’ll be back..
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They (Beresford) does a great job with this Max. Top notch. Bailey will love the cinematography. Nice to see you drop by.
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Dude between work and now Honey dos…I’ve been missing in action….we are flooring the living room now lol. It’s all good though.
This is on my list now…so I will return quicker than before.
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Just drop in when you can. Always good to hear from ya. Ill be over to your place in a couple days. Floor Guy.
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LOL…. thanks CB
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