Ned Kelly (2003)

It’s Regina versus us; The Kelly Gang.

Ned Kelly is directed by Gregor Jordan and written by John Michael McDonagh (based on “Our Sunshine” written by Robert Drewe). It stars Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom, Naomi Watts, Geoffrey Rush and Joel Edgerton. Music is by Klaus Badelt and cinematography by Oliver Stapleton.

The Australian Robin Hood? Well not quite, but Ned Kelly’s name and exploits live on for ever more. As is often the case with film’s of this type, such as Braveheart, it’s best to approach them as interpretations of real events and people, than actual historical facts. The core basis of Ned Kelly the man is here, and the picture built around him is handsomely mounted. Also ripe with strong character portrayals by the key actors (fluctuating accents and dodgy beards aside) and shot through with enough lyrical smarts by Jordan, it’s a film big on atmosphere and authentic feel.

However, obviously hamstrung by budget and running time etc, much of the story feels incomplete. There’s also the problem of under using Geoffrey Rush, who although playing a key character in the Kelly legend, is only on the periphery of things. Still, the evident problems can’t stop it from being an engaging piece of entertainment. It’s consistently beautiful to look at, Badelt’s mournful musical score is an absolute cracker and the action is well staged by the passionate Jordan.

We are still waiting for the definitive Ned Kelly Gang movie, because although this is made with care of the source stories, it only scratches the surface of this most interesting period of Australian history. 7/10

It's always tough with a subject that suffers from Titanic Syndrome - there can be no jeopardy about the final outcome so it really does boil down to the quality of the writing and the acting as to whether or not we are going to bother to sit through it... Heath Ledger isn't bad at all in the title role, an Australian from Irish (and criminal) stock who falls foul once too often of the frequently corrupt police, takes matters into his own hands and with his brother Dan (Laurence Kinlan) and Orlando Bloom (Joseph Byrne), amongst others, turns into an Antipodean version of Robin Hood - determined to redress the pretty in-your-face imbalances of society in Victoria and New South Wales. Bloom's accent is straight out of "Finian's Rainbow" but Naomi Watts is good as Julia as is Kris McQuade as his mother Ellen. Geoffrey Rush is drafted in by the government to lead the chasing constabulary, but his usually dominant presence doesn't quite work here - he doesn't really have enough to do/say. Those really observant amongst us might spot Charles Tingwell (think "Inspector Craddock") towards the end, too. It's violent but not brutal - we are shown a side of Kelly that has been driven to the course of action and although he doesn't exactly hate it; he has scruples. The detail is good; we get a sense of the relative squalor in which they lived, and the writing and direction are taut and well paced. From what little I know of the man, and his gang, this isn't the most accurate depiction of his brief moment in the limelight, but on balance, it is worth sitting through...