Breaker Morant 1980
Breaker Morant
During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Though they acted under orders, they are being used as scapegoats by the General Staff, who hopes to distance themselves from the irregular practices of the war. The trial does not progress as smoothly as expected by the General Staff, as the defence puts up a strong fight in the courtroom.
During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Though they acted under orders, they are being used as scapegoats by the General Staff, who hopes to distance themselves from the irregular practices of the war. The trial does not progress as smoothly as expected by the General Staff, as the defence puts up a strong fight in the courtroom.
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All 1 Videos & 11 Photoscast
Full Cast & Crew... Harry 'Breaker' Morant
... Major J.F. Thomas
... Cpt. Alfred Taylor
... Lt. Peter Handcock
... Lt. Col. Denny
... Cpt. Simon Hunt
User reviews
See All 1 Reviews07 Jun 2023 by CinemaSerf
Told by way of a court retrospective, this film depicts the brutalities of the Boer War between the British Colonial authorities and the immigrant Dutch farmers who just wanted to be left to govern themselves. Though largely suppressed by the overwhelming military force, the Boers did have success with guerrilla tactics that resulted in the pretty brutal skirmishes described here. A court martial has been constituted to investigate the activities of three Australian solders and to basically scapegoat them. Only the legal skills of the inexperienced lawyer "Maj. Thomas" (Jack Thompson) can hope to prevent the three from going to the gallows. What soon becomes clear is that the soldiers lead by "Morant" (Edward Woodward) were certainly no saints, and that the ghastliness of this war is writ pretty largely, but what it also identifies is the complicity of their otherwise "civilised" officers. It's got a solid cast, the dialogue is gritty and plausible, the cinematography presents us with the grand scale of the South African countryside and of the often rather subsistence existence of farmers and soldiers alike, and as the momentum builds, Australian director Bruce Beresford manages to sustain a fair degree of interest in the future of the accused and take quite a swipe at the colonial mentalities that prevailed at the time (and not just the British ones) too. Well worth a watch.
Directors:
Release Date:
Jun 11, 1980 (Australia)
Run Time:
1hr 47`
MMPA Rating:
PG
Original Language:
English
Production Countries:
Australia
Status:
Released
Plot Keywords:
Related Movies To
Breaker Morant
Told by way of a court retrospective, this film depicts the brutalities of the Boer War between the British Colonial authorities and the immigrant Dutch farmers who just wanted to be left to govern themselves. Though largely suppressed by the overwhelming military force, the Boers did have success with guerrilla tactics that resulted in the pretty brutal skirmishes described here. A court martial has been constituted to investigate the activities of three Australian solders and to basically scapegoat them. Only the legal skills of the inexperienced lawyer "Maj. Thomas" (Jack Thompson) can hope to prevent the three from going to the gallows. What soon becomes clear is that the soldiers lead by "Morant" (Edward Woodward) were certainly no saints, and that the ghastliness of this war is writ pretty largely, but what it also identifies is the complicity of their otherwise "civilised" officers. It's got a solid cast, the dialogue is gritty and plausible, the cinematography presents us with the grand scale of the South African countryside and of the often rather subsistence existence of farmers and soldiers alike, and as the momentum builds, Australian director Bruce Beresford manages to sustain a fair degree of interest in the future of the accused and take quite a swipe at the colonial mentalities that prevailed at the time (and not just the British ones) too. Well worth a watch.
Cast & Crew of
Breaker Morant
Directors & Credit Writers
... Director
Cast
... Harry 'Breaker' Morant
... Major J.F. Thomas
... Cpt. Alfred Taylor
... Lt. Peter Handcock
... Lt. Col. Denny
... Cpt. Simon Hunt
... Col. Ian (Johnny) Hamilton
... Sar. Maj. Drummond
... Cpl. Sharp
... Christiaan Botha
... Lt. George Witton
... Major Charles Bolton
... Lord Kitchener
RS
Rob Steele... Cpt. Robertson
CS
Chris Smith... Cameron Sargeant
BK
Bruno Knez... Reverend Hesse
... Boer Leader
FW
Frank Wilson... Dr. Johnson
... Visser
RB
Ray Ball... Court Reporter