Thread: Australia - The Movie

I finally went to see, 'Australia' the movie in the theater last night. Not only did I have front row seats, but a stool to put my feet on. The screen is the largest screen I've ever had the opportunity to see a film on.

I had read and heard about the movie for many months. For those that haven't seen it yet (released November 28th), I'd say go for it, you won't be disappointed.

The whole movie had me riveted from the opening scenes. Most of the story takes place in Darwin, back in the 1930's. The movie stars homegrown talent, including Nicole Kidman, and Hugh Jackman. Nicole kidman plays an English aristocrat who inherits a ranch in northern Oz. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rugged cattle driver (Hugh Jackman) to drive 2000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country’s most unforgiving land towards Darwin. This all happens during a time when Darwin is being bombed by Japs after Pearl Harbour was bombed. The action scenes of Darwin being bombed, and what happens after this is riveting.

This movie is a romantic, adventure type movie. Nicole kidman plays a splended lead role, that I'm sure will win an academy award for. Hugh Jackman (who I couldn't get enough of..oh lala), also played an award winning part of cattle herder, and leading lover of Nicole Kidman. I can't forget the little mixed child (Nullah, played by western Australians own Brandon Walters) who also plays a heart wrenching, mixed aboriginal and white child with special aboriginal powers. Nicole kidman eventually takes care of this boy, once his mother dies in an unbelievable way. The acting in this whole movie is so powerful.

This movie made me cry, laugh, and the ending was triumphant. The cinematography was nothing less than genius. The scenes of the vast desert, and the mighty sound of the cattle herds stampeding through the flatlands was brilliant.

I give serious praise to the creative director, Baz Luhrmann. Baz also directed Moulin Rouge (starring Nicole Kidman, 2001), Romeo and Juliet (96), and Strictly Ballroom (92).

My friend and I, loved every minute of this film, and will go and see it again. It was only this year 2008, that aboriginals were given an official apology by the government for the way they were treated. This film is a real eye opener for some of us. I had read the history of Oz, and am planning to visit in the near future.

I'd say this film was a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Apparently, the movie didn't do so great, in its opening days in the U.S.

Australia flops at the US box office on opening day | PerthNow

Has anyone else seen the movie? Is this movie pretty realistic according to you Aussies?

More information on the movie..Australia / The Official Movie Website / Starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman

Great review PB, thanks for that.

I don't think it is being realsed here until Dec 24th and as I live in the sticks am not sure when I will get to see it.

I have a special interest in this film as more then half of it was filmed in my home town of Kununurra. We had Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban staying at a friends house, Baz moved into my Aunties place etc etc. I rented my home out for 6 weeks to some of the crew (got paid a pretty penny for it as well which was nice).

All those droving scenes with those awesome red cliffs in the back ground etc, well that is my back yard (about 20kms away) and I am very proud of it.

I drove out and got the first photos of the homestead when it was still being built which I sold to the Sydney Morning Herald. It was an exciting time to be around town and I guess this will mean a huge influx of tourists at some stage.

The Kununurra Picture Gardens even managed to score the grand opening on the same night as it was opened in Sydney (and New York I think) and then they had it run every night for 2 weeks free of charge. The picture gardens is one a the few remaining drive in picture theatres left in Australia and the red carpet they brought in especially almost disappeared against the bright red dirt that is everywhere around there.

Originally Posted by phuketbound

I had read the history of Oz, and am planning to visit in the near future.

Cripes!! Lock up your Hugh Jackmans mates!

You really shouldn't have prewarned us pb.

Originally Posted by phuketbound

Has anyone else seen the movie? Is this movie pretty realistic according to you Aussies?

Not seen it yet. I don't get to the cinema much except for kids movies with my son.
Australia has certainly been given a lot of hype.
From the scenes I have seen on TV it looks accurate in terms of the setting and depictions of the people of the time.
Baz Luhrman said he was trying to recreate an Australian Gone With the Wind style of epic film. Something he believes that Hollywood has forgotten about with all its overblown CGI bigger and better effects.

Umbuku

Cripes!! Lock up your Hugh Jackmans mates!

You really shouldn't have prewarned us pb.

haha! Please don't lock em' up, matey!

Originally Posted by MeMock

Great review PB, thanks for that.

I don't think it is being realsed here until Dec 24th and as I live in the sticks am not sure when I will get to see it.

I have a special interest in this film as more then half of it was filmed in my home town of Kununurra. We had Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban staying at a friends house, Baz moved into my Aunties place etc etc. I rented my home out for 6 weeks to some of the crew (got paid a pretty penny for it as well which was nice).

All those droving scenes with those awesome red cliffs in the back ground etc, well that is my back yard (about 20kms away) and I am very proud of it.

You haven't seen the movie yet? Wow! I heard it opened in Sydney already, is that correct? Amazing that Nicole and Keith stayed at your friends house. The red cliffs in the background are stunning. My friend and I kept commenting on them. The actors play such genuine, passionate characters in the whole film. I can see why it didn't do well in Hollywood. As it is more of a classic film (reminded me a bit of Far and Away, and Gone with the Wind). By the way, I am a big fan of your photos, and travelogues on *£$%^%*£$%^%*£$%^%*£$%^%*£$%^%*£$%^%*£$%^%*£$%^%

Apparently, Australian taxpayers are paying close to 25 per cent of the production costs for the movie Australia, thanks to a tax deal between director Baz Luhrmann and the Federal Government.

Why you're footing the bill for Luhrmann's Australia - Film - Entertainment