BREAKER MORANT (1980)
PG, 107 minutes
Soon to be restored and reissued as part of the prestigious Criterion Collection, Bruce Beresford's 1980 military drama is one of the defining works from the end of the Australian cinema's resurgence during the 1970s. Controlled in tone and certain in execution, it is based on historic events during the Boer War in South Africa at the turn of the 20th century, when three Australian officers are court-martialled for war crimes. The guilt, let along the intent, of the trio – Harry "Breaker" Morant (Edward Woodward), Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown) and George Witton (Lewis Fitz-Gerald) – is never in doubt, but their exposure to dehumanising guerrilla warfare and their role in the plans of British superiors is barely acknowledged by those trying them. Jack Thompson, as a hamstrung defence attorney, is compelling in his courtroom oration, and this impressive movie still speaks to the burden our military bears when sent to the ill-judged wars of great states.
CRAIG MATHIESON
