Breaker Morant (1980) Reviews

Breaker Morant (1980)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
Breaker Morant is one of the most acclaimed Australian films, telling a powerful tale of wartime betrayal and injustice. Henry "Breaker" Morant (Edward Woodward) is an Englishman living in Australia at the end of the 19th century. When war breaks out in 1899 between Britain and the Boers (descendants of Dutch colonists), Morant and a number of Australians volunteer for duty and are absorbed into the non-regular units of the British army. Acting under orders from his commanders, Morant oversees the execution of several Boer prisoners; it turns out that one of them was German, and in order to keep the peace with Germany, Britain agrees to courtmartial Morant and two other soldiers, sentencing two to death and one to life imprisonment. Based on a play by Kenneth Ross, Bruce Beresford's film is powerfully filmed and acted and has become a classic anti-war movie since its 1980 release; the script (co-written by Beresford) was nominated for an Academy Award. The final execution scene is nearly overpowering in its sense of tragedy and futility. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Edward Woodward, Bryan Brown, (more)
Director(s):
Bruce Beresford
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Average Ratings

(8 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Steven M.

Thoughtful and Well Crafted, Breaker Morant offers no easy answers; it shows history to be a human affair, and human life is a very messy business. The final scene is heart-breaking, but afterward I found it difficult to pass judgment on the British government or on most of the principal characters. What is the greater good? What does it mean to be guilty, to show courage, or to face justice? Beautifully shot, makes me want to visit South Africa. Edward Woodward and Jack Thompson are fantastic.

Yes   |   No


Tim S.

Superb in many categories: writing, character, acting, directing, action, and more. A must for fans of tough courtroom drama, and British Empire military history, with a dose of "Gunga Din" -style action. Not a lighthearted popcorn film, this is a thinking person's film, and well worth the rental.

Yes   |   No


Robert D.

A truly splendid film! The foibles of war are exemplified in this unjust execution of two able soldiers fighting a very unconventional war with variable rules of engagement. Edward Woodward who was seen the year before as Sir Samuel Hoare in Churchill, the Wilderness Years,does a creditable job as the senior Aussie officer along with Bryan Brown..these two give powerful performances..but the gold star goes to Jack Thompson who plays the defense lawyer in this kangaroo court..you might remember him as the defense lawyer in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. 41/2 stars. PS:I've been to South and East Africa several times and it was as in the film.

Yes   |   No


DanaandGary W.

I loved this movie. Good luck getting it. It's been at the top of my queue for 6 months.

Yes   |   No


ANTHONY I.

This is a truly great movie.

Yes   |   No


David H.

A film about the Boer War and the difficult decisions one must make in war time. Men are often required to sacrifice themselves in battle for a military victory but the same must often be required of men to obtain a political resolution to a conflict as well. While one seems noble and required, the other seems cowardly and thoughtless. In the end however the political solution often accomplishes more. This film is well done and gives a glimpse of a war most Americans never heard of. The bonus material has a good historical documentary about the Boer War. This film is very similar to Paths of Gloy. A 1957 film staring Kirk Douglas. I thought that Paths of Glory to be a much better film and the characters were much easier to like.

Yes   |   No


Keith G.

Intelligent, engrossing courtroom drama, based on real life incident of Australian soldiers charged with murder, for political reasons, during the Boer war. Echoes of "Paths of Glory", but here the morality is more grey. These men have indeed done awful things, but only as part of a war full of awful things. Thus, while your heart is with the protagonists, there are moments you question them almost as much as the Kangaroo court they face. The acting is excellent throughout, and what was originally a play has been opened up just enough so as not to feel it, without feeling forced. Some of the moral complexities could have been explored with more depth, and there is a slightly disturbing edge of making "I was just following orders’" a viable defense for atrocities, but I’d much rather question a challenging picture"s point of view, then not be challenged at all.

Yes   |   No


Joshua M.

This movie took me 5 times to get through. For what I was able to see and piece together, the movie wasn't that bad. It was able to keep my attention long enough to follow most of the movie. But if you would really like to see this movie, don't watch it when your kids are awake. The movie is hard to follow if you have to go into another room every 5 - 10 minutes.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 

IN-STORE

 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (8)
     
    Steven M.

    Thoughtful and Well Crafted, Breaker Morant offers no easy answers; it shows history to be a human affair, and human life is a very messy business. The final scene is heart-breaking, but afterward I found it difficult to pass judgment on the British government or on most of the principal characters. What is the greater good? What does it mean to be guilty, to show courage, or to face justice? Beautifully shot, makes me want to visit South Africa. Edward Woodward and Jack Thompson are fantastic.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Tim S.

    Superb in many categories: writing, character, acting, directing, action, and more. A must for fans of tough courtroom drama, and British Empire military history, with a dose of "Gunga Din" -style action. Not a lighthearted popcorn film, this is a thinking person's film, and well worth the rental.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Robert D.

    A truly splendid film! The foibles of war are exemplified in this unjust execution of two able soldiers fighting a very unconventional war with variable rules of engagement. Edward Woodward who was seen the year before as Sir Samuel Hoare in Churchill, the Wilderness Years,does a creditable job as the senior Aussie officer along with Bryan Brown..these two give powerful performances..but the gold star goes to Jack Thompson who plays the defense lawyer in this kangaroo court..you might remember him as the defense lawyer in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. 41/2 stars. PS:I've been to South and East Africa several times and it was as in the film.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 8 Reviews
       

      Quick Links

      Email Exclusives

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      FIND MOVIES

      ALL MOVIES

      Popular | # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

      ALL ACTORS AND DIRECTORS

      Popular | # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

      BLOCKBUSTER CORPORATE

       

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C. © 2012 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2012 Rovi Corporation.