Directed by Gregor Jordan
2003
This Review By Meg
WARNING THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS
It all starts with a flashback through a voiceover - Ned Kelly was a hero. This movie tells the story of Ned Kelly (played by Heath Ledger), a man forced into the life of an outlaw in Victorian Australia. Ned is a man loyal to his family and friends, and it is his loyalty that beomces his downfall. The movie opens on Ned Kelly (Heath Ledger) waking to see a stray horse. He goes over; knowing whom the horse belongs to, and gracefully mounts the mare. He rides into town, picking up a girl along the way. When he gets to town, the police, Constable Hall, asks him where he got the horse, and though he tries to tell them whose it is, they say it is stolen, accusing him of taking it. He is forcefully pulled down from the horse and madness ensues as the officer and Ned scuffle, ending with Ned being held by other officers as Constable Hall hits him with the butt of a gun. Ned, riling him up, tells him to go on, but another office calls for it to stop. Ned is put into prison, and the next thing you see is him walking from the prison gates. He's a free man, met by his friends Joe Byrne (Orlando Bloom) and Aaron Sherrit (Joel Edgerton), who then proceed on a walk down a muddy road back to the Kelly house, being picked up by a wagon on the way. They return and there's a lovely dinner scene with some horseplay from the boys, Dan Kelly and Steve Hart with an intervention by Ned Kelly. Then, after that beautiful moment, it moves on to a bloody brawl as Ned defeats Wild Write. We then see Ned as work at a horse ranch. It is then that you get a glimpse of Julia Cook (Naomi Watts) as Ned helps her out with her horse who seems to have a bit of a problem.
Well, it looks then as though everything is going well for the Kelly's and company. That is, until that night at the bar where, amid Joe Byrne's womanizing and good natured joking, Ned's sister, Kate Kelly is bothered by a certain Officer Fitzpatrick. He tries to buy her a drink, taking her by the arm, but Ned walks in, his protective side in overdrive, ready to do anything to protect his sister. In the nick of time, Aaron runs up, playing a song for Ned to dance to, saving him from another fight.
After this, the police tried to get even, Fitzpatrick mainly, for not having his way with Kate. They steal the Kelly horses, locking them behind the police headquarters. Once again, The Kelly Gang comes in the night, taking the horses back, selling them to buy more and changing the brand.
As if Fitzpatrick can't take a hint, he returns to the Kelly household, asking to see Kate once again. We see Joe Byrne in action, his loyalty shining through as he tries to reason with the man, telling him to on hme. Fitzpatrick, using his authoriy, threatens them with warrants and weasels his way inside. After a while of Fitzpatrick stalling, having no warrants, the Kelly Gang gets a little irritated, forcing Fitzpatrick out as Dan hits him, pulling out a gun. Now, you know a boy with a gun is never good news. Fitzpatrick's hand is bleeding as Dan take the gun, shooting all the bullets into the ground and throwing it off in the distance as the officer rides off.
While all this is going on, Ned's getting pretty friendly with Julia at the ranch, something that he just may regret later.
Ned returns home, knowing something is wrong. He learns of the fight and the warrants, knowing again that this only means trouble, just when things seemed to be going so well. Joe tells Dan and NEd to clear out for a few days, letting things blow over. While NEd and Dan are away, Ned's Ma is arrested due to Officer Fritzpatrick claiming that Ned Kelly tried to kill him, while everyone else knows that Ned was not present. Ned tries to get Julia to help him, but her pride forces her to refuse. Ned, defeated, rides back to the woords, readying the Kelly Gang for what he knows will be a long, hard road to their freedom. While Ma is locked away in a cell, Ned and his boys practice shooting, soon learning that they are closed in by the police, whether they know it or not. They ambush a camp, killing three officers in the end. Joe goes back to his buddy, Aaron Sherrit's hut for the news on what is being said, learning that they can be shot on site at any time. Well, isn't that some lovely news? It's just the beginning as the Kelly Gang learns that they must run. They hold up a town, robbing a bank and such, for 3 days as they become ouotlaws, a reward hanging over their heads, burning mortgages, destroying crown property, forcing Superintendent Hare (Geoffrey Rush) to be called in. Oh, now doesn't that look just great for the Kelly Gang? Ned hands over some money to Wild Wright to help out the townspeople and then must flee again, learning that his mother has been sentenced to three years hard labor. Talk about drive for revenge.
A letter is written, warning the Victorian police of the Kelly Gang and Aaron Sherrit is questioned and given a deal he can't refuse. Hmm, imagine that. Money talks, as they say.
As the Kelly gang is hiding out, the police set fire to the woods they're in and poison the water. Yet again, they are left with no chance but to run. They all make another stop at Julia's... bath long overdue and haircuts as well. We see some more womanizin by Byrne, an adorable smile and a slick way of getting some attention. Did I mention he was in a bathtub? Yeah...
Anyway, after that The Kelly Gang readies for a fight, asking Sherrit to act as a scout, who suspiciously declines with an excuse about a "missus". With that, Kate brings some weapons to Them, warning them that they're all going to be killed, but they don't listen. At least they'll go down with a fight, eh?
They learn Aaron has turned them in, and Joe, dressed as a woman, goes to his hut, bringing him to the door and shooting him, taking him out. Superintendent Hare gives a pep talk to his men to his men as they hunt the Kelly Gang while Ned and company buys a pass with The Great Orlando (how coincidental, right?) They go to a town, break up the train tracks in hopes of wrecking the train, carrying the police and then proceed to a bar, trying to keep the people calm with jokes and drinks. IN the meantime, a schoolteacher sneaks out and warns the police, leaving the Kelly Gang with no choice but to fight. As the police come, it's obvious they're outnumbered. An amazing fight full of suspense and fear takes place.
Orlando Blooms plays the part of Joe Byrne, Ned Kelly's best friend. He is a bit of a playboy, but stands by Ned throughout it all. His accent is very well done, sounding truly Irish, and his expressions are well developed. In my opinion, this is perhaps his best character so far.
After hearing some reviews of this movie, I was skeptical, but watched it anyway, wondering if the critics were really on top of things this time. I suspected that the lack of information on it was something to be investigated. In my opinion, this movie is one of the best of late. What more can you ask for than a well developed plot, a near accurate telling of the actual events, and superb portrayals of all those involved. All in all, the movie is very well done. The accents the actors adopted are amazing and the interaction is top notch. The sets and costumes were not overly done or even elaborate, but in that simplicity, it added to the movie, letting you focus on the events without distractions. In a movie full of pride and love, even through betrayals and injustice, the truth about the Kelly Gang can be seen. They're not bad, just trodden upon and not about to take it anymore! Amazing.
To sum it up, this movie is far more than what it seems. I recommend it to anyone, no matter what your preference may be. Hopfully, you can find something in it to enjoy.