Breaker Morant

In the Australian outback, where the vast expanse of dusty earth stretches as far as the eye can see, a different sort of battle rages. It's not the kind fought with guns and bullets, but with words and intellect. This is the courtroom drama that unfolds in the 1980 film Breaker Morant, where three Australian lieutenants stand trial for a crime they claim they were ordered to commit. Directed by Bruce Beresford, the movie takes a scathing look at the brutal realities of war and the machinations of the military establishment. The story begins in South Africa, where Lieutenant Harry Morant and his comrades, Lieutenant Peter Handcock and Lieutenant Alfred Munro, are part of a unit led by Captain Neville Duff. Their task is to fight in the Boer War, a conflict sparked by the tensions between the Boers, predominantly Dutch settlers, and the British Empire. It's a war that would eventually claim the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides. Morant, Handcock, and Munro are part of a special unit that's tasked with carrying out a specific mission: the capture and assassination of Boer commandoes who are believed to be a significant threat to British forces. However, the rules of war quickly go out the window, and the three officers find themselves involved in a series of shootouts and killings where they gun down Boer prisoners and others who they deem a threat. The trial of the three officers takes place in Pretoria, where the military high command, led by General Brudenell White, is determined to make examples of the men in order to deflect attention from their own involvement in the irregular practices of the war. They concoct charges of murder against Morant, Handcock, and Munro, knowing that the men are in a precarious position. Enter the court of law, where the trial begins, and the defense team, led by the experienced lawyer, Captain Alfred Perry, sets out to prove the men's innocence. But what unfolds is a tense and dramatic battle between the prosecution, led by Major Charles Dicken, and the defense, as the judge, Mr. Justice Byrne, presides over the proceedings. As the trial progresses, a fascinating web of character and plot unfolds. It becomes clear that Morant, Handcock, and Munro are not just pawns in a greater scheme but are driven individuals, shaped by their experiences in the war and their own moral compass. The defense puts up a strong fight, and the prosecution's case begins to unravel. But it's not just about winning or losing; the trial becomes a battleground for ideas, with the defense challenging the very legitimacy of the war and the military's actions. Morant, played by Edward Woodward, is the central figure in this drama. He's a charismatic leader, both on and off the battlefield. His charm and wit serve him well in the courtroom, but beneath the surface lies a complex and troubled individual. His involvement in the deaths of the Boer prisoners weighs heavily on his conscience, and the trial becomes an existential crisis for him. Meanwhile, the military high command, particularly General White, played by Jack Thompson, is ruthless in their pursuit of Morant, Handcock, and Munro. They're determined to save their own skins and protect their reputation, even if it means sacrificing the lives of three young men who were simply following orders. As the trial hurtles towards its climax, the tension builds, and the audience is left on the edge of their seats. Will the defense succeed in clearing Morant, Handcock, and Munro's names, or will the prosecution's case hang them? The outcome is far from certain, and it's not just about justice but also about morality, duty, and the very nature of war itself. The performances in the film are outstanding, with a cast that includes Edward Woodward, Bryan Brown, and Jack Thompson. Their portrayals of the complex and often contradictory individuals add depth and nuance to the story, making it a compelling and thought-provoking watch. The direction and screenplay, too, deserve praise. Bruce Beresford's handling of the courtroom drama is masterful, and the script by Jonathan Hardy and David Stevens is both gripping and insightful. The film's themes of military honor, duty, and the moral consequences of war are timeless, and its critique of the military establishment remains as relevant today as it was when the film was made. Breaker Morant is a movie that lingers long after the credits roll. Its portrayal of the brutal realities of war and the personal costs of following orders is both haunting and thought-provoking. It's a film that challenges the audience to think about the very nature of war and its impact on those who fight in it.