Review of Ned Kelly (2003) by Bridget F — 14 Sep 2008
A more lyrical and visually epic version of the tale of the Australian outlaw, from underrated Aussie director Gregor Jordan. This version of the tale has Heath Ledger as Ned Kelly, who after being wrongfully emprisoned for the stealing of a horse, and tired of his family being oppressed by the brutality and corruption of the police, forms a gang.
This gang consists of his brother Dan (Laurence Kinlan), and two other men, Steve Hart (Philip Barantini) and Joe Byrne (Orlando Bloom). The crimes of his gang capture the attention of a nation, but Police Superintendent Francis Hare (Geoffrey Rush), is determined to put a stop to his criminal activities.
It's a visually poetic western, (it predates The Assassination of Jesse James with alot of it's visuals), Ledger gives Ned Kelly a very human quality, portraying him as a man driven to crime by the laws and unfairness of the country he calls home.
It's got a suspenseful climax, and Oliver Stapleton's cinematography makes the Australian countryside shine. :).
This review of Ned Kelly (2003) was written by Bridget F on 14 Sep 2008.
Ned Kelly has generally received mixed reviews.
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