Ned Kelly (2003)

Ned Kelly to Australia is, what Robin Hood or King Arthur is to Britain, what Jesse James is to America, and what Musashi Miyamoto is to Japan. A cultural historical icon that has defined this country to a great extent they're characters/figures that really transcended their original 'story' or 'myth' for any lack of a better word.Now out of all the film's that have been inspired by the 'legend' that Ned Kelly has become, having been the inspiration for a massive amount of Australian books, folk songs, plays, films, etc. It comes to no surprise or mistake to me that this particular 2003 interpretation of Australia's most famous Bushranger (or "Wild Colonial Boy", an Outlaw of Colonial Australia) is the most entertaining screen version of the Bushranger's life and exploits that have made him such an icon to Australia alone, it is hard to ignore how much of a greater interest this 'figure' has had to many artists, storytellers and historians alike throughout the ages and generations alike.Why is it Entertaining? If not for any lack, historically respectable. Well, while it's indisputable to dismiss Ned Kelly as 'fascinating', it's also not indisputable for this figure whose exploits have been popularized in history, fiction and films to be controversial. Thus, I acknowledge the diversity of what people purely think about Ned Kelly or for that matter, or all Bushrangers in that matter. To some people Ned Kelly was a murderous outlaw, to others he was a folk hero who fought for his own cause against the law, even fighting for those whose tyranny he felt connected to and in some way became their beacon of hope. I also find it controversial; Was it really his intention to challenge to law to the point he was revolutionary for Victoria? I really don't know, but would let others be the judge of that and do their own research if they're that curious.Back to the film, I humbly admire every bit of the effort everyone involved put into this film; to bring the story of Ned Kelly to the big screen. I must say the cinematography, production design, costumes and make up are every bit as exceptional as what any other previous Colonial Australia films have portrayed in the past. It really does look like you're stepping back in time. Heath Ledger for one is one of the finest actors to have ever played the role of Ned Kelly, he was also closest to the actual age Ned Kelly was at the time (more so than Mick Jagger). Add to that you've got several more internationally known actors such as Naomi Watts, Geoffrey Rush and Orlando Bloom in very significant memorable roles, not to mention there are some minor roles from now very well known Australian actors such as Joel Edgerton and Emily Browning. Klaus Bedelt's score even gives the film a great sense of poetic Colonial life and gives us just as much of a primary storytelling essence as the actual film itself.'Our Sunshine' the book in which this film's screenplay is based on is an incredibly poetic and immersive look at the mindset of Ned and what went on in his albeit 'short' life, adopting more of a linear story to the play of drama and the conflicts Ned faced within his own time. Even with enough great fascination to the character, the film does not portray him as a glorious villain or valiant hero, but really with such a script along with Ledger's performance, this gives us an insight as to what Ned did and why he did what he did. One of the most significant (or best) scenes in the film is when he's writing his famous Jerilderie letter, expressing his own conflict and concerns to the Victorian Government. But as you may guess his exploits never stopped him from being a criminal nor did he give into his motivation to challenge the law up to a point he was considered a folk hero. Ned Kelly was no different to the many Aussie Battlers fighting and then dying for cause he believed in and not even coming close to achieving what he believed was just. His exploits and motivation however have never stopped him from becoming the icon he became as many writers, historians and film makers were willing to tell this legend's story the way it should be told.I might also mention this film is by no means one hundred per cent historically accurate, if you want that the 1980 mini-series 'The Last Outlaw' is very much worth checking out. However the craftsmanship and character study essence is what really makes this film 'The Most Entertaining Ned Kelly Film', and it's easy enough to come to this film with very little to 'no' knowledge about who Ned Kelly is. But in defining everything about the man or legend Ned Kelly has since become (and will remain), then look no further than to seek out this very underrated and magnificently made film purely for your own historical or entertainment fascination.

There can be few more enduring myths than the myth of the Celt: earthy, emotional, fun-loving, loyal, brave, against the system, irresistible to women, and also persecuted, the latter by another stereotypical type, the cold, heartless, cruel, authority-wielding Englishman. I didn't know a lot about Ned Kelly (an Australian outlaw of Irish descent) before watching this film, and having watched it, I feel I still don't know a lot about his story; except that, supposedly, it is exactly the same as that of William Wallace, or of just about any character in any film who joined the I.R.A. (the fact that the villains in this story may have been Australian born is a minor point; they're spiritually English in every way that counts). It's a narrative that never seems to die: there are echoes of it even in 'Titanic', or, with a different persecuted minority, 'The Last of the Mohicans'. Now, I'm English but I'm not a blind patriot; I know my country has done some pretty shameful things and I'm quite willing to watch any story of English perfidy providing it has something new to tell me about the human condition. But even on the off chance that this film actually tells me the truth about the Kelly gang, that's still no defence for a lazy, clichéd story that allows its audience the comfort of imagining themselves as heroic rebels instead of asking how and why they themselves are part of the same system they would affect to decry. Judged purely as a film, 'Ned Kelly' is competent, even dramatic; but a story about the man who shot him might have been so much more interesting.

This is the worst film we have ever seen. Heath Ledger's beard was the worst stick on beard since Charlton Heston played Moses in that film. It was a travesty when the monkey got shot, but we held back our tears when Bloom said 'Ha, the monkey's been shot'. Which just goes to show how heartless the Kelly gang were. Anyway, what had the monkey done, didn't the police know there was an innocent monkey inside the inn? We bet most of the reviewers (who seemed to spend all the film in tears) didn't spot the fate of the monkey. We just knew the lion was going to get it too. What was the point of that and what was the point of the horse blood scene? Does anyone have the recipe for wombat stew? Sad to say, as we write this (25/01/08) Heath Ledger will not be remembered for this film. We hope the aborigine was paid for his walk on part, it was the only realistic, authentic and professional part of the film where the director seemed to have something in mind. Was it Jimmie Blacksmith? For an idea of the directorial standards in this film see what the director is up to in 2009.

This film is not an action film, nor is it an adventure film. Except for brief moments, it features very little actual shooting. It's a drama, be aware of that. And unfortunately, it's not a very original or thought provoking drama. It's too shallow and too one-sided.I've barely heard of Ned Kelly before I watched this film, but after watching The Proposition, I became very much interested in seeing what else Australia could muster up with an 1800's outback setting. I like westerns, so Australian westerns was an interesting alternative. I made sure to read up some on Ned Kelly before sitting down and watching the film. From what I gather, it was a fairly accurate retelling of his life, except some embellishment and a few sub-plots added for the sake of the script.But like so many films these days, the film barely develops it's characters. Ned is developed thoroughly, for sure. But even his best friend Joe, only passes through the film as a guy who picks up a lot of chicks. Not to mention Ned's brother and his brother's friend. We feel more or less nothing for these. Had only these characters had one extra scene focusing sorely on them in the film, it might have made it a better experience. As it is now, the film feels like a drama, with the characterizations of an action film. Shallow and not intriguing.Even so, it is a fairly interesting film. Heath Ledger plays his role well and the conflict between the common folks and the British Empire gets heavy focus. And if get the story, or legend as it's become, this is exactly what a Ned Kelly retelling should.I also find it interesting to experience a film aimed at an Australian public. Being a fan of history, and of other cultures, I found it a good experience watching this film, and getting something in return. Learning a bit about Australian mentality. For all it's faults, it's an interesting film worthy of a glance if you're interested in the subject matter as well as a pretty and well filmed drama.