| | | A film by Bruce Beresford.
Features: DVD, Letterbox, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Biographies
Based on a true story, Breaker Morant is the wrenching tale of three soldiers who are court-martialed at the end of the Boer War. When one of their comrades is ambushed and killed, three soldiers (Edward Woodward, Bryan Brown and Lewis Fitz-Gerald) seek revenge and kill a Boer soldier. This act of murder and the mysterious disappearance of a German missionary leads to the arrest of the three men. In one of the most controversial court-martials in military history, they are defended by Major Thomas (Jack Thompson), a small town Australian solicitor who has only been given one day to prepare his case.
"Riveting...brilliantly acted." Rex Reed, New York Daily News
"Rich performances..." VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever
"A brilliant, timeless, powerhouse drama." Playboy Magazine
"Potent drama..." Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide
Editor's Note
One of a crop of impressive films to arrive from Australia in the late 1970s and early 1980s, BREAKER MORANT marked Bruce Beresford as a director to watch. Based on a play by Kenneth G. Ross, the film is a tersely dramatic account of the true story of the court-martial of three soldiers attached to the Bushveld Carbineers, a guerrilla warfare unit of the British army that operated during the Boer War (1899-1902). Edward Woodward stars as Lt. Harry "Breaker" Morant, the primus inter pares of this trio that includes Lt. Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown) and Lt. George Witton (Lewis Fitzgerald). Attorney Major J.F. Thomas (Jack Thompson) is given only one day to mount a defense of the officers, who have been charged with the death of Boer prisoners and a German minister. Weaving flashbacks into the trial proceedings, Beresford tells the story of the controversial killing, an act of revenge against the Boers for having killed and mutilated a close friend of Morant's. While the young Witton fears for his life, Morant and Handcock display only a caustically witty stoicism as they await the trial's outcome. Superbly executed in every area, the film is a memorable evocation of the hypocrisy of empire.
Plot Summary
Three Australian soldiers, devastated by the death of a friend in battle, strike out against one of the enemy. Because of this act, they become prime suspects when a German missionary mysteriously vanishes.
| Features | Dolby Digital Mono | | Production Notes | | Original Theatrical Trailer | | Widescreen Version | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Access | | Cast & Crew Bios |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: FONTANA |
| Release Date: 9/26/1997 |
| Running Time: 107 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1980 | | Catalog ID: 5002 | | UPC: 00720917500225 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1981) | | | Bruce Beresford, et al., Nominee, Best Writing, Screenplay Based On Material From Another Medium | |
Cannes Film Festival (1980) |  | Jack Thompson, Winner, Best Supporting Actor | | | Bruce Beresford, Nominee, Golden Palm |
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...Genuinely, surprisingly affecting..." 12/21/1980 p.II:19The Motion Picture Guide 8 of 10
Woodward is superb in the title role... Breaker Morant forces the viewer to take a stand... A haunting film that will have you thinking and arguing for days after.
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| Customer Reviews | ![]() | | Cinematography |  5 | | Plot | 5 | | Acting | 5 | | Overall Satisfaction | 5 |
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5 of 5 Scapegoats of the Empire Thursday, July 10, 2003
Dave from Yarmouth, ME
Although the movie does depict the title character's transformation from a competent officer into a man consumed by vengeance, it is not an anti-war film. It does not talk about the futility of war. It indicts the system. It depicts the type of chilling justice that a kangaroo court dispenses to serve "the greater good."
The movie is based on events that occurred during the Boer War. It was a war that was particularly nasty and cruel. It was fought for mercenary reasons and introduced new words into our lexicon. Concentration Camps were first employed by the British to round up Boer families (descendants of Dutch settlers) in order to make sure they could not support guerilla fighters who were on Kommando. Many of these Boers died from starvation and malnutrition while under the "care" of the British. For their part, the Boers were less than merciful when dealing with British soldiers. Torturing, stripping, and mutilating were common. The brutal death of Breaker Morant's friend is what sets events in motion.
The movie is respectful to the events and people on which it is based. It is well crafted and does not flinch. Unlike an American movie, it avoids rewriting history so the audience can walk away with a Disney-esque satisfaction. The dialogue is sharp and the attention to detail is good. The movie's pace is deliberate but not slow.
Anyone who has been in the military will appreciate the movie's tone. Similarly, it should be viewed by anyone considering joining the military. Was this review helpful?  
0 of 1 customers found this review helpful.
5 of 5 One of the best! Saturday, November 27, 1999
gjportland from portland, or
Perhaps the best anti-war film ever made, and one of the best films ever. An incredibly compelling story, based on an actual event. Sharp, intelligent dialogue, fine performances. Even better with second, third viewing. Was this review helpful?
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