Breaker Morant

Breaker Morant

By

  • Genre: Drama, History, War
  • Release Date: 1980-06-11
  • Runtime: 107 minutes
  • : 7.1
  • Production Company: South Australian Film Corporation
  • Production Country: Australia
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7.1/10
7.1
From 150 Ratings

Description

During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Though they acted under orders, they are being used as scapegoats by the General Staff, who hopes to distance themselves from the irregular practices of the war. The trial does not progress as smoothly as expected by the General Staff, as the defence puts up a strong fight in the courtroom.

Trailer

Reviews

  • dfle3

    10
    By dfle3
    An all time great war movie/court room drama "Breaker Morant" is one of those movies I had placed on a "Really should see this movie one of these days" list. Well, in some ways I'm sorry I waited so long to see this masterpiece and in other ways, the current world situation with "The war on terror" has made this movie even more relevant and topical. The plot of this movie is based on real events that occurred during the Boer War, in South Africa. Three Australian soldiers (well, during the course of this war, Australia had become a nation) are courts martial for the killing of some South African fighters and a South African priest. The colonials are fighting for Britain against the Boers, and concerned that Germany (or what would later become Germany) would enter the war on the side of the Boers, Britain seeks to contain things and perhaps prevent German involvement by trying the three Australian colonials. Here is a movie which made a list of the greatest war movies of all time (http://www.historynet.com/movies/11719756.html). In my opinion this movie should have topped the poll, or ranked even higher than the 91st position it got, out of 100. In fact, I think that this movie is also one of the all time great court room dramas as well (the movie has many court scenes and occasionally gives a magnificent insight into war and the conditions on the ground). Script-wise, this film is a towering achievement. So many insights into the bigger picture occurring through understated dialogue. Made before the current "War on terror", it perhaps unintentionally makes complex our response to that. In other words, this is not a film that panders to liberalism or conservatism. Times have changed, and this movie challenges us, in a way that it perhaps didn't foresee or intend, as a consequence of the event of September 11, 2001, in the USA. Superb performances all around from an All Star Australian cast. Poignant, funny, enlightening and intellectually stimulating. This is the movie that blows away the notion that I had that Australian movies are poorly scripted and acted. An all time great movie. Nominated for an Oscar. Should have won many. Perfect. [Posted on another site 4 July 2008 by their dating]

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