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In the tradition of Paths of Glory and Gallipoly here's another example of how high ranking officers and the politicians who control them send soldiers to unnecessary deaths both on the field and in phony court martials firing squads. In this case all parties did a great acting job and knew their fate was sealed by political ambitions rather than justice and the truth.
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This could well be the best movie ever to come from Australia. For my money it is the finest war film, and the most compelling anti-war film ever made. It deservedly won 10 Austrailian Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Edward Woodward. Based on true events from England's Boer War in South Africa (and the autobiography "Scapegoats of the Empire"), it tells the story of three soldiers courtmartialled for murder and mistreatment of prisoners, despite orders from the high command to kill prisoners taken in the field. From a military perspective, the Brits were being confronted with and responding to a new kind of combat, guerilla tactics, and were also trying to appease other world powers, out to make their own empires. This was a cynical show-trial, used primarilly to bring about peace negotiations. Bruce Beresford's direction is gripping. Every actor is superb, especially Woodward and Jack Thompson as the impassioned defense counsul; really there isn't a false note in the entire film. The hypocrisy and futility of war are laid out in a most entertaining, thought provoking and adventurous treatment. Having seen this a couple dozen times, I am no less enthralled or affected seeing it again. An absolute must-see film.Read full review
A well produced movie.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This movie speaks to the the very real spirit of the Australian genre in their rejection of impersonal application of rules and sense of decorum in the face of the needs of real and true humane and indeed beautifully human ideals of justice and goodness at the end of the day. Considered expendable by the Brits (Gallipoli is another very great movie on a similar theme) some Australian soldiers during the time of the boer war are out on trial for actions they deem to have been defensible. In order to make expediency reign over real truth and fair play, The British are out to make martyrs of them and in the end you find yourself fighting the system in favour in individual heroism, something the Aussies are known for as a great peoples indeed.
You want a gen-u-ine war story?!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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