Review of The Legend of Ben Hall (2016) by Aidan P — 04 Dec 2016

Matthew Holmes has created a masterpiece of Australian cinema by weaving one of history's greatest stories into a gripping narrative full of action, suspense, romance, comedy and pathos.

Jack Martin is stunning as the doomed titular outlaw, exuding a brooding intensity as he tries to tie up loose ends before fleeing the country for America. Jamie Coffa is phenomenal as A-grade fruitcake Johnny Gilbert, the infamous Canadian bushranger known for his larger than life personality and his uncontrollable violent streak. William Lee's teenage highwayman, John Dunn, is endearing and has one of the most tragic arcs in the film sure to jerk a few tears. Joanne Dobbin is mesmerising as Hall's runaway wife Biddy, more than holding her own against the leading man. There are too many brilliant performances to list them all here, but this cast is definitely full of rising stars.

Ronnie Minder's score is sensational. Soulful and energising, it perfectly strikes the emotional thrust of each moment summoning tears and pumping fists where appropriate.

The cinematography is sumptuous and really sucks you in. If there's one thing I think everyone can agree on it's that this movie looks gorgeous. The camera artfully navigates the tangled forests and the rolling landscapes just as well as the intimate close ups.

If you're a fan of biopics or historical drama this film is a must see. If you love Westerns this film will hit all the right places. The film never sets out to convince you of Hall's villainy or victimhood, leaving it up to the viewer to consider their own opinion. Holmes' script stays close to the bone with history, never replacing documented fact with fanciful characters or situations in an effort to make the story more "Hollywood", always staying true to its stated goal of telling it as it was. History buffs will love the little details like Hall's English Tranter revolver, recreations of colonial villages, and the beautiful period costumes. I cannot recommend this film highly enough!