Poets deserve clemency.

I guess it's well meant, although in its effort to expose the British scapegoating of the Australians and self-absolution, it almost ends up absolving the Ozzies. The writing hits some sour notes (crass lines like "This is a war, not a débutante's ball. There are no rules!") and generally it never really lifted off the ground for me. The acting gives it a push.

It's hard to feel the sympathy for most of these people, even with the film's strong attempts to inspire that smpathy, but apart from that it's a very interesting and raw depiction of the hypocrisies of war. The superb acting helps too.

Military courtroom drama that automatically is compared to Paths of Glory and A Few Good Men. Although it is not as powerful as Kubrick's early masterpiece, it holds a few punches against Reiner's fine, but Hollywood-ish take on military law. First of, acting is great, especially by Jack Thomson. Then there are great speeches. However, the film fails to trigger any deeper emotions or sympathy towards these men. They might have been scapegoats, but they are no heroes.

The title aside, 'BREAKER' MORANT is a true ensemble piece, focusing not just on Morant but on his fellow soldiers, their harried defense lawyer, and the superiors, associates, enemies, and lovers who factor into their (true) story. The telling of said story aside, the exact point of the film is somewhat vague (it seems to echo PATHS OF GLORY), but the crisp script, handsome production, sharp editing--and the all-around superb acting--make it worthwhile. Yet another gem of Australian cinema.

Incredible movie!

Escorted by awesome twitchy moustaches and a couple genius performances (Edward Woodward and Jack Thompson), the court-martial of "Breaker" Morant gets a proper memorial. In 1980, the film was a skewering of war's relative morality. Nowadays, though, its relevance is twisted. You decide if the Brits circa 1902 were terrorists who offed some scapegoats out of moral disgust (or as a negotiating tactic). Quoth the dying Morant: "Shoot straight, you bastards!"

One of the finest war films

Good film.

Careful, moving military drama which gives a more sympathetic view of the facts than history does.

Good Movie

Interesting film which deals with the peculiarities of war, specifically the politics of war. Stronly Recommended.

Another truckload of dirt dumped onto the British Empire, with three loyal Aussie soldiers made scapegoats for the sins of British colonialism and militarism in the Boer War. It's sort of an Australian _Paths of Glory_, and the arguments are presented in a manner difficult to take exception to, or see the necessity for. Application of these arguments to the Vietnam War offers good possibilities for increased moral stickiness, but this line of attack would have to be pursued independently.

"Shoot straight you bastards..." Tragic tale of a crappy situation; beautifully directed.

One of the best uses of the last statement cliche in a trial flick.