The Legend of Ben Hall (2016)

This film captures the heart and soul of Ben Hall! The production, the acting, and cinematography are simply remarkable in my opinion. If you love brilliant film making, and a legends like Ben Hall, you'll love this film as much as I do!!!

Despite being a 'Kelly' man - Ben Hall's story had escaped me. I even missed the earlier ABC tv effort (yes, I was living under a rock!). On the advice from a cinematographer mate who actually worked on the production - I sat down knowing it was going to be lengthy. The story telling was sublimed...I was engrossed after just 15 minutes in. I now stand educated in all things 'Ben Hall'. Not only educated, but entertained, enthralled and fascinated. But most of all, I stand enriched - that a bunch of passionate film-makers have made such a epic film about an epic tale.

This is a true story.In Australia 1864, Ben Hall (Jack Martin) wants to give up being a Bush-ranger (A bandit), but is convinced by his friend John Gilbert – aka Happy Jack – (Jamie Coffa) to give it one more go to make enough money to go to the United States. John Dunn (William Lee) joins them and together they rob mostly travelers. Ben Hall has unfinished business with his wife Biddy (Joanne Dobbin) who left him and he wants to take his son Henry (Zane Ciarma) away from her. The government is in the process of passing The Felons Apprehension Act which would make Ben, Happy Jack and Dunn OUTLAWS and could be shot on sight by any citizen. This movie is about the last 9-months of Ben Hall's life. Before that he and his gang robbed at will and then Ben's gang was disbanded and he led a quiet life until John Gilbert came after him to continue the life of crime. This is a very good western, and some may compare him to Jesse James although all we saw was Ben, Happy Jack and Dunn only robbing travelers and not trains and banks as Jesse James did. Later we did see an attempt to rob a mail coach with a lot of money, but it was not successful. Ben Hall was known all throughout Australia and was known to never have killed a man. The cinematography was stunning, the dialogues were spot on, the acting by all was very good, and the music was low key, but okay. The shooting scenes were carefully done and were impressive. The movie may be a little too long, but very engaging.Ben Hall played by Jack Martin seems to have been a reasonable man who wanted no part of killing. He even allowed a lady he was robbing to keep a necklace she wanted badly. Jamie Coffa as John Gilbert aka Happy Jack was a bit of a clown and a loose cannon sometimes. William Lee as John Dunn was simply a good follower and loyal to Ben Hall. You keep asking what happened to Ben Hall at the end. Ben Hall was betrayed by his good friend Mick Coneley played by Adam Willson and was ambushed by the police Mick's wife Mary (Erica Field) always had a thing for Ben.At the end of the movie there are statements what happened to all. (7/10)Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: Yes. Language: Some F-bombs, but not many,.

First of all boring, I couldn't cope with the main character or the rest of them. A fearless outlaw who never shot anyone, a cheated husband who hit at one of his best friend's wife, eager for revenge, never actually does it, wanted to go to America, never did something in that direction. At some point I really wanted to hunt him myself. A non hero, a non anything, with my deepest apologies to Australian people if this offends them. I never seen a gun fight where nobody is able to shoot someone, not to kill but only shoot, in my entire life. Well except the end, there apparently nobody missed ...