Ned Kelly (2003)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Gregor Jordan

Writers:

Robert Drewe (novel)
John Michael McDonagh (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 March 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Biography | Crime | History | Western

Tagline:

A film about the legendary outlaw whose story outgrew his life

Plot:

After getting threatened by Kelly's friends and family, Constable Fitzpatrick places the blame on Ned Kelly and exaggerates what happened...

Plot Keywords:

Ned Kelly | Bushranger | Shootout | Irish | Cop Killer

Awards:

3 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Heath Ledger	...	Ned Kelly
Orlando Bloom	...	Joseph Byrne
Geoffrey Rush	...	Superintendent Francis Hare
Naomi Watts	...	Julia Cook
Joel Edgerton	...	Aaron Sherritt
Laurence Kinlan	...	Dan Kelly
Philip Barantini	...	Steve Hart
Kerry Condon	...	Kate Kelly
Kris McQuade	...	Ellen Kelly
Emily Browning	...	Grace Kelly
Kiri Paramore	...	Constable Fitzpatrick
Rachel Griffiths	...	Susan Scott
Geoff Morrell	...	Robert Scott
Charles 'Bud' Tingwell	...	Premier Graham Berry
Saskia Burmeister	...	Jane Jones

Also Known As:

Ned Kelly: Public Enemy No. 1 (Philippines: English title) (poster title)
Our Sunshine (Australia) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and brief nudity.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

Australia | UK | USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Cinevex)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (TV rating) | Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18SG | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:12 (TV rating) | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M (re-rating on appeal) | Canada:14A | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | New Zealand:M | Norway:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #39555)

Filming Locations:

Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Commission, The

Trivia:

The Irish folk singer appearing in the film is Bernard Fanning.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Glenrowan Railway Station looks 100 years old with worn timber, faded paint etc. The railway line was built in 1873, so the station would be at most 7 years old.

Quotes:

[at the end of the Glenrowan shootout, right before they each commit suicide]
Dan Kelly: I'm out of rounds. Do you have any left?
Steve Hart: Only two.
Dan Kelly: That's all we need, isn't it?
Steve Hart: We never stood a chance, did we?
[they both commit suicide]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "A Current Affair: Heath Ledger Special" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Kesh Jig

Well, the camera was in focus

"Ned Kelly" tells the story of an Aussie folk hero/outlaw of the title name with hot properties Ledger and Bloom leading the way and Watts and Rush tagging along behind with minimal roles. A technically and artistically well done biopic drama which never really manages to choose between bigger-than-life heroics or gritty/edgy reality as it waffles back and forth trying to be all things to all people, this film creates a portrait of a poor man's Robin Hood in the austere environs of 1870's Australia who really wasn't all that interesting. With lukewarm critical reviews, heaped praise from young females, and no awards outside Australia, "Ned Kelly" is a mediocre watch best saved for fans of the players or those with an interest in the Kelly Aussie legend. Those interested in quality Aussie cinema might want to check out "Rabbit Proof Fence" or "Japanese Story" which do much more with much less. (C+)