Directed by Gregor Jordan.
Synopsis:
Ned Kelly is an Australian icon - the son of an Irish immigrant who took on the might of the Establishment in Victoria in the late 19th Century. Ned and his family were no strangers to trouble with just about all of them at some stage falling foul of the law. Part of the Kelly mystique is considering whether they were just a bunch of crooks getting what they deserved or the oppressed battlers whom the Police just couldn’t leave alone.
The general story is relatively well known. Ned was a child hero, rescuing another boy from drowning when he was about ten and receiving a sash to commemorate his deed. The sash, still on SHOW at the Glenrowan Museum to this day, is a reminder perhaps of the sort of person Ned was but was never allowed to be. But was he a victim of circumstance or just a hotheaded lad who got further and further into trouble? You be the judge.
The film follows Ned through his first brushes with the local constabulary who didn’t take too kindly to Ned’s view of the world. He spent time as a youth in jail and seemed determined to avoid going back. He and his brother Dan, along with their friends Steve Hart and Joe Byrne, eventually took to the hills to escape the law. Their adventure took a downward spiral when they ended up killing three policemen at Stringybark Creek, ensuring that the full weight of the law was brought to bear.
They managed to avoid escape for some time, robbing banks (in the film to give to the poor) and travelling the countryside. Women were drawn to them (or so the film portrays) but the introduction of a love interest for Ned in the film stretches the imagination. They ended up in Glenrowan where the most famous siege in Australian history took place, ending in the deaths of all but Ned, after a failed attempt to de-rail a train carrying the pursuing Police. Despite the use of armour made from ploughs the boys were overwhelmed by the superior number of Police with three of them dying in the gunfight and fire that destroyed the Glenrowan Hotel. Ned was the only survivor but the film does not attempt to go near the subsequent trial or his hanging but does quote his famous last words “Such is life”.
Summary:
It is difficult to tell what is truth and what is fiction when it comes to the Kelly legend. The film sticks pretty closely to the general outline of Ned’s life and battles with the law that can be found in many reference materials. I seriously wonder whether he had an affair with the English wife of a local landowner but I suppose the filmmakers are allowed some licence. It is interesting to contemplate how much Ned fitted into his short life as the film points out that he died at the tender age of 25.
There is plenty of nice scenery in the film and the towns used as backdrops are believable as late 19th century locations. The film is reasonably well paced and doesn’t tax the mind too much.
Plot: The film is reasonably accurate historically which means there is plenty of action to build a story around. It is quite a good yarn and well told.

THE EXTRAS

The extras include parts on Ned Kelly in Popular Culture, the Trailers, the Real Kelly Gang, Artist to Feature compilation and a Poster compilation. There is some good footage of some of the many films made about Ned over the years. The excerpts from the 1906 film, claimed to be among the first feature films made anywhere in the world, are a fascinating part of our Australian heritage. Make up your own mind about the short bursts from the Mick Jagger portrayal.

CONCLUSION

It is difficult to tell what is truth and what is fiction when it comes to the Kelly legend. The film sticks pretty closely to the general outline of Ned’s life and battles with the law that can be found in many reference materials. There is plenty of nice scenery in the film and the towns used as backdrops are believable as late 19th century locations. The film is reasonably well paced and doesn’t tax the mind too much.