Breaker Morant
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Movie Reviews of Breaker Morant
Movie Review: A very under-rated film
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an outstanding movie. Firstly, I am an Australian, so maybe I'm biased, as it is about Australian soldiers treated poorly by their British commanders during the Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902). It is a military courtroom drama which deals with complex issues of guerilla warfare, off-the-record orders, political expediencies, honour, obedience, inconsistent treatment of allied soldiers from different countries, and a host of other complex military and civilian issues which examine just how messy and terrible war can be. The epitaph of Mr Morant, at least in the film, quotes Matthew 10:36: "And a mans foes shall be they of his own household". At one point, Mr Morant and his 2 fellow Australian soldiers- who are on trial for executing Boer prisoners-even though they were ordered to do so-their defense attorney points out that Mr Morant, on trial for obeying these orders, disobeyed these same standing orders previously, but which was at the time accepted- and agreed by witnesses for the prosecution- but was now on trial for *obeying* those same orders. A veritable mess. Basically, the British denied such orders were ever given, so that they could use these Australians as political scapegoats, of how bad and irrelevant the war had become, and therefore have an excuse to get out of their war-the Australians were thus sacrificed as "scapegoats for the Empire". "A sideshow of the war", it is stated. Or was it the war that was a sideshow in the first place? If you don't understand, don't worry, neither do I-it was a sham of a war, but then war often is.
I have heard some reviwers mention that the film was not entirely accurate-that is one for the historians-although others who seem to be in the know are adamant that it is accurate-but it is clear that these issues are universal, and can't be far from what happened. People died terribly and needlessly, on both sides and from their own side-and that is ugly and messy enough. If the film does nothing else, it educates one on the messiness of war, and gives one respect for the soldiers and civilians who get caught up in them.
The film deals with the tragedy of war, but also on human tenderness, poetry, love, obedience, political expediency, and on a low budget and a great script, brings out some of the best and worst of the human spirit.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in complex military issues, Australian and British history, or just a very good, well acted, and well written legal drama. One for the collection.
Movie Review: Rule 303 indeed
Summary: 5 Stars
A very powerful film, which richly deserves the praise it has accumulated over the years.
Beresford certainly shone in this, one of this finest moments, and the cast, especially Woodward, Brown and Thompson were just superb.
I read the Kit Denton book Case Closed many years ago, and the movie appears to be partly based on that. Information seems to have come to light after the event, such as Kitchener's diaries confirming the order to shoot 'enemies' wearing British uniforms in any form, and the evaluation of Morant's 'psychotic' character by some of his fellow troopers. However, it doen't really change the central issue of putting soldiers on trial for political reasons, while the gin-swilling politicians continue to mess things up from thousands of miles away.
The British made such a hash of the Boer War(s) that it is no surprise that two thirds of their war dead died from disease rather than enemy action. Likewise the thousands of Boer women and children who died in the British concentration camps (the Brits invented them to 'concentrate' the prisoners into a manageable environment) only died due to administrative incompetence, not through any attempt to harm them.
It was against this background that an Aussie BVC patrol were put on trial for summarily executing Boer prisoners, whom some claim were coming in to surrender. Yet there is so much that we can never really know in this case, as so much of what was believed to be evidence has been contradicted, such as whether one of the Boers had really been wearing a dead British officer's (Morant's friend) army pants.
Was Morant a 'killer'? If he was, then so was Kitchener. Perhaps the main difference was that some people kill with a stroke of a pen and others with a 303 rifle.
As with the My Lai massacre in Vietnam, there has to be accountability in war. No question. But it is also inappropriate to place a bunch of young men in harm's way, in an asymmetrical warfare situation, and expect them to be immune to provocation and imminent physical danger, and to react calmly and rationally in every case.
It clearly was a politically-motivated show trial and the men should never have been executed, even if a trial had actually been warranted. I'm not anti-British, I grew up in the UK, I'm just anti British stupidity.
Movie Review: A great courtroom drama about the Scapegoats of the Empire
Summary: 5 Stars
"Breaker Morant" is best military courtroom drama available on videotape and not just because it is based on a true story. Unlike "The Caine Mutiny" or "A Few Good Men," the trial takes up most of the film, with events depicted in flashbacks. Also, the defendants are innocent of (most of) the charges against them. Harry "Breaker" Morant (played by a still unknown Edward Woodward years before "The Equalizer") led a group of Australian horse soldiers who had to deal with guerillas during the Boer War. Because the British government wishes to negotiate a peace, Morant and two of his officers are charged with various violations of military law the most important being the execution of Boer prisoners. Leaving nothing to chance, the British command gives the defendants an Australian lawyer to defend them who has never been in a courtroom; however, the man is inexperienced, he is not stupid. It is clear to everyone that the trial is a sham. This is why "Breaker Morant" has more in common with "Gallipoli," another Australian film about British disdain for their subjects from that colony continent. "Breaker Morant" was directed by Bruce Beresford, who along with Jonathan Hardy and David Stevens was nominated for an Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for adapting Kenneth G. Ross' stage play. This movie also had one of the best trailers I have ever seen and it is impossible to forget Woodward's voice declaring, "We were out on the veldt fighting the Boer the way the Boer fought us." Bryan Brown plays one of the other defendants, but this is Woodward's film even when he is reduced to doing nothing more than sitting in his chair and letting the farce plays itself out to the end (Do not ask me to explain why it was Thompson and not Woodward who won the Australian Film Institute's award for Best Actor in a Drama that year). The conclusion of the film is simple yet powerful: we watch the final scene listening to the last poem written by Morant and then Woodward singing a British military song that hammers home the irony of the film.
Movie Review: Compelling historical drama
Summary: 5 Stars
Harry `Breaker` Morant, was an immigrant Australian who served in the Boer war (1900-1903), where Dutch/German Boers wanted independence from England. This was intolerable to the British Empire at the time and Lord Kitchener despatched the army to put down this `revolt'.Empire troops were drafted in to help, among them Australians from the new nation. The Boers were waging early guerrilla-style warfare, picking off English troops before melting away and Britain was steadily losing the war.
Lord Kitchener decided to engage troops of the Australian `Bushveldt Carbineers', among them Harry `Breaker' Morant, his superior officer and future brother in law Captain Hunt, as well as fellow soldiers Handcock and Witton to adopt the same guerrilla tactics. Although they (somewhat conveniently) received no written orders, it was `made patently clear' they were to take no prisoners, and to shoot anyone wearing stolen British uniform.
After their well-liked Captain hunt was captured after an ambush and his body later found horribly mutilated, Morant and others found the perpetrators and vowing vengeance, carried out their orders. Several of the Boer soldiers were subsequently executed along with a collaborating German missionary.
With Germany possibly about to enter the war, Britain needed heads on a plate and three `expendable colonials' were found who fitted the bill.
The compelling courtroom drama shows how the defendants (innocent or otherwise) were manoeuvred towards a guilty verdict for political expediency and are mere pawns in a far greater drama. In an age where failure to obey any orders, written or otherwise, in the British army was mutiny punishable by firing squad, our three defendants are damned if they do carry out orders and damned if they don't.
A compelling look at the often blurry nature of war, it's hardening effect on human attitudes and how power sometimes corrupts justice. Whether guilty or not, these men still deserved a fair trial and this powerful film conveys that well.
Movie Review: "And a man's foes shall be thay of his own household....."
Summary: 5 Stars
Skillful director Brian Beresford, a brilliant ensemble of Australian actors, and the very talented English actor, Edward Woodward, came together in South Australia in 1979 to shoot one of Australia's finest films...a war time courtroom drama that excels in acting, narrative, script and cinematography. Released at a time when the Australian film industry was on the verge of a world wide surge of interest with many other fine films (Mad Max 1979, Gallipoli 1981 etc.)...."Breaker Morant" set a benchmark for quality drama.
In the midst of the Boer War, three members of the Bushveldt Carboniers...Harry Morant, Peter Handcock & George Witton stand accused of the murder of Boer prisoners and a German missionary.
The men become the subject of a British court martial and it soon becomes clearly evident that they are mere pawns in a far greater diplomatic agenda between warring nations. The film closely tackles the issues of trialling soldiers for murder in times of war...and the differing interpretations of the orders recieved from senior officers.
Jack Thompson is outstanding as defence attorney, Major J.F. Thomas, attempting to save the lives of the trio. A youthful Bryan Brown is very memorable as the wild, simple larrikan, Peter Handcock...and Edward Woodward, in a moving and remarkable performance plays the role of the horse breaker-cum-soldier, Harry Hardboard Morant. Add a wonderful support cast including noted Australian actors Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, Alan Cassell, John Waters and Chris Haywood...and it's easy to see why this film garnished several key AFI awards upon it's release, and remains so highly regarded amongst critics and fans alike.
An intelligent, moving and thought provoking film "Breaker Morant" will be savoured by those who enjoy intense, challenging historical drama's. Highly Recommended !!