I'll admit that my knowledge of Australian cinema is still regretfully limited, but the fact remains that I rarely have the opportunity to use the word "masterpiece" in reference to a local film. Fortunately, 'Breaker Morant' is a happy exception, a perfectly-plotted, impeccably-acted war drama that treads a similar path to Stanley Kubrick's 'Paths of Glory (1957),' but undeniably leaves its mark as a work of pure Australian film-making. The film is based upon a true story, of the murder trial and execution of Australian soldiers during the Boer War (1899-1902). The screenplay, written by Jonathan Hardy, David Stevens and Bruce Beresford, was adapted from Kenneth G. Ross' 1978 play, "Breaker Morant: A Play in Two Acts" {a popular misconception is that the film was derived from Kit Denton's 1973 book, "The Breaker," and Ross was forced to take legal action to successfully prove otherwise}.
'Breaker Morant' is certainly one of the most gripping courtroom dramas I've ever come across, a perfectly-balanced assembly of probing cross-examinations, impassioned monologues and legal injustice. Much of the story unfolds in flashbacks throughout the course of the trial, slowly allowing the pieces of the murder puzzle to fall into place. During the Second Boer War, three Australian soldiers, officers of the Bushveldt Carbineers {a multinational mounted infantry regiment of the British Army, of which about 40% were Australian} were accused of the murder of seven Boer prisoners-of-war, as well as the sniper-style assassination of a German missionary. Lt. Harry "Breaker" Morant (Edward Woodward), Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown) and George Witton (Lewis Fitz-Gerald) were brought to trial by the British Army for their alleged crimes, found guilty of murder, and both Morant and Handcock were promptly executed. An inexperienced small-town solicitor, Major J.F. Thomas (Jack Thompson), mounts the most formidable defence he can manage, yet the panel's verdict {being led by Charles 'Bud' Tingwell} seems to have been decided from the very beginning.
Australians have a peculiar habit of glorifying historical criminals, the bushranger Ned Kelly (1955-1880) being the most pertinent example. Since his execution, the Anglo-Australian Harry "Breaker" Morant has also become something of a minor folk hero, his death representative of the resentment that many have for the British over their maltreatment of Australian soldiers {Peter Weir's celebrate war film, 'Gallipoli (1981)' also exhibited this general theme}. Indeed, the film firmly places its sympathies with the accused soldiers, even after they secretly acknowledge their participation in the seemingly-barbaric crimes. In the soldiers' defence, Maj. Thomas proposes various arguments: that the men were merely following their orders, and that these murders were "committed by normal men in abnormal situations." Surely, with all the death and acts of barbarism constantly taking place around these men, their actions cannot be judged as they might in a normal, everyday situations. Lt. George Witton, who was pardoned after serving a three-year sentence, later published his controversial account of the trial, "Scapegoats of the Empire," which is now considered the most reliable report of the actual proceedings.
There's no denying that 'Breaker Morant' has the relatable atmosphere that only an Australian director and largely Australian cast can produce, and every actor involved brings passion and authenticity to their roles (arguably, British actor Edward Woodward gives the film's finest performance as the titular character). The film, like most wartime pictures produced in our country, celebrates the importance of mateship and comradery between everyday Aussie blokes, whether they be fighting the enemy, fighting betrayal from their own superiors ("And a man's foe shall be they of his own household") or dying together, steadfast and courageous to the last ("Shoot straight, you bastards - don't make a mess of it!"). 'Breaker Morant' cleansweeped the 1980 AFI awards, claiming a phenomenal ten wins from thirteen nominations. It was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 1981 Academy Awards. Certainly one of the most rousing motion pictures that the Australian film industry has ever produced, 'Breaker Morant' is also one of the finest war films you're likely to see anywhere.
'Breaker Morant' is certainly one of the most gripping courtroom dramas I've ever come across, a perfectly-balanced assembly of probing cross-examinations, impassioned monologues and legal injustice. Much of the story unfolds in flashbacks throughout the course of the trial, slowly allowing the pieces of the murder puzzle to fall into place. During the Second Boer War, three Australian soldiers, officers of the Bushveldt Carbineers {a multinational mounted infantry regiment of the British Army, of which about 40% were Australian} were accused of the murder of seven Boer prisoners-of-war, as well as the sniper-style assassination of a German missionary. Lt. Harry "Breaker" Morant (Edward Woodward), Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown) and George Witton (Lewis Fitz-Gerald) were brought to trial by the British Army for their alleged crimes, found guilty of murder, and both Morant and Handcock were promptly executed. An inexperienced small-town solicitor, Major J.F. Thomas (Jack Thompson), mounts the most formidable defence he can manage, yet the panel's verdict {being led by Charles 'Bud' Tingwell} seems to have been decided from the very beginning.
Australians have a peculiar habit of glorifying historical criminals, the bushranger Ned Kelly (1955-1880) being the most pertinent example. Since his execution, the Anglo-Australian Harry "Breaker" Morant has also become something of a minor folk hero, his death representative of the resentment that many have for the British over their maltreatment of Australian soldiers {Peter Weir's celebrate war film, 'Gallipoli (1981)' also exhibited this general theme}. Indeed, the film firmly places its sympathies with the accused soldiers, even after they secretly acknowledge their participation in the seemingly-barbaric crimes. In the soldiers' defence, Maj. Thomas proposes various arguments: that the men were merely following their orders, and that these murders were "committed by normal men in abnormal situations." Surely, with all the death and acts of barbarism constantly taking place around these men, their actions cannot be judged as they might in a normal, everyday situations. Lt. George Witton, who was pardoned after serving a three-year sentence, later published his controversial account of the trial, "Scapegoats of the Empire," which is now considered the most reliable report of the actual proceedings.
There's no denying that 'Breaker Morant' has the relatable atmosphere that only an Australian director and largely Australian cast can produce, and every actor involved brings passion and authenticity to their roles (arguably, British actor Edward Woodward gives the film's finest performance as the titular character). The film, like most wartime pictures produced in our country, celebrates the importance of mateship and comradery between everyday Aussie blokes, whether they be fighting the enemy, fighting betrayal from their own superiors ("And a man's foe shall be they of his own household") or dying together, steadfast and courageous to the last ("Shoot straight, you bastards - don't make a mess of it!"). 'Breaker Morant' cleansweeped the 1980 AFI awards, claiming a phenomenal ten wins from thirteen nominations. It was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 1981 Academy Awards. Certainly one of the most rousing motion pictures that the Australian film industry has ever produced, 'Breaker Morant' is also one of the finest war films you're likely to see anywhere.