Ned Kelly

2003 "The British Empire branded them as outlaws. The oppressed called them heroes."
6.4| 1h50m| R| en| More Info
Released: 22 March 2003 Released
Producted By: Australian Film Commission
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
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After getting threatened by Kelly's friends and family, Constable Fitzpatrick places the blame on Ned Kelly and exaggerates what happened. With the biggest ever award available, Kelly and his gang set into the wild, to remain hidden from everyone who seeks them. Even if it means having his family arrested, the members of the Kelly Gang stay hidden and plan a way to get their names cleared.

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Ned Kelly (2003) is now streaming with subscription on Starz

Director

Gregor Jordan

Production Companies

Australian Film Commission

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Ned Kelly Audience Reviews

KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?
Ehirerapp Waste of time
Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable
Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
luke-eberhardt Ned Kelly to Australia is, what Robin Hood or King Arthur is to Britain, what Jesse James is to America, and what Musashi Miyamoto is to Japan. A cultural historical icon that has defined this country to a great extent they're characters/figures that really transcended their original 'story' or 'myth' for any lack of a better word.Now out of all the film's that have been inspired by the 'legend' that Ned Kelly has become, having been the inspiration for a massive amount of Australian books, folk songs, plays, films, etc. It comes to no surprise or mistake to me that this particular 2003 interpretation of Australia's most famous Bushranger (or "Wild Colonial Boy", an Outlaw of Colonial Australia) is the most entertaining screen version of the Bushranger's life and exploits that have made him such an icon to Australia alone, it is hard to ignore how much of a greater interest this 'figure' has had to many artists, storytellers and historians alike throughout the ages and generations alike.Why is it Entertaining? If not for any lack, historically respectable. Well, while it's indisputable to dismiss Ned Kelly as 'fascinating', it's also not indisputable for this figure whose exploits have been popularized in history, fiction and films to be controversial. Thus, I acknowledge the diversity of what people purely think about Ned Kelly or for that matter, or all Bushrangers in that matter. To some people Ned Kelly was a murderous outlaw, to others he was a folk hero who fought for his own cause against the law, even fighting for those whose tyranny he felt connected to and in some way became their beacon of hope. I also find it controversial; Was it really his intention to challenge to law to the point he was revolutionary for Victoria? I really don't know, but would let others be the judge of that and do their own research if they're that curious.Back to the film, I humbly admire every bit of the effort everyone involved put into this film; to bring the story of Ned Kelly to the big screen. I must say the cinematography, production design, costumes and make up are every bit as exceptional as what any other previous Colonial Australia films have portrayed in the past. It really does look like you're stepping back in time. Heath Ledger for one is one of the finest actors to have ever played the role of Ned Kelly, he was also closest to the actual age Ned Kelly was at the time (more so than Mick Jagger). Add to that you've got several more internationally known actors such as Naomi Watts, Geoffrey Rush and Orlando Bloom in very significant memorable roles, not to mention there are some minor roles from now very well known Australian actors such as Joel Edgerton and Emily Browning. Klaus Bedelt's score even gives the film a great sense of poetic Colonial life and gives us just as much of a primary storytelling essence as the actual film itself.'Our Sunshine' the book in which this film's screenplay is based on is an incredibly poetic and immersive look at the mindset of Ned and what went on in his albeit 'short' life, adopting more of a linear story to the play of drama and the conflicts Ned faced within his own time. Even with enough great fascination to the character, the film does not portray him as a glorious villain or valiant hero, but really with such a script along with Ledger's performance, this gives us an insight as to what Ned did and why he did what he did. One of the most significant (or best) scenes in the film is when he's writing his famous Jerilderie letter, expressing his own conflict and concerns to the Victorian Government. But as you may guess his exploits never stopped him from being a criminal nor did he give into his motivation to challenge the law up to a point he was considered a folk hero. Ned Kelly was no different to the many Aussie Battlers fighting and then dying for cause he believed in and not even coming close to achieving what he believed was just. His exploits and motivation however have never stopped him from becoming the icon he became as many writers, historians and film makers were willing to tell this legend's story the way it should be told.I might also mention this film is by no means one hundred per cent historically accurate, if you want that the 1980 mini-series 'The Last Outlaw' is very much worth checking out. However the craftsmanship and character study essence is what really makes this film 'The Most Entertaining Ned Kelly Film', and it's easy enough to come to this film with very little to 'no' knowledge about who Ned Kelly is. But in defining everything about the man or legend Ned Kelly has since become (and will remain), then look no further than to seek out this very underrated and magnificently made film purely for your own historical or entertainment fascination.
blend_ashtey11 Definitely one of my favourite movies. The story is good, acting is great, all technicals (especially cinematography) are sharp and the script is clever.Heath Ledger is terrific as Edward ''Ned'' Kelly. He is gripping as the legendary outlaw, and is supported well by Geoffrey Rush, Naomi Watts and Orlando Bloom. All action sequences are on pointThe film is edge-of-your seat stuff right up to to the end. One of my favourite films from the late legend Heath Ledger, who has been the highlight of every film he has starred in. And makes no mistake here.An excellent film all round.
bryanrantz I'm tired of people judging films on their "historical accuracy". IT'S A MOVIE PEOPLE!! The writers and directors are supposed to put their own spin into the story! There are a number of movies out there that aren't entirely accurate with the history....Braveheart, Wyatt Earp, Gangs of New York, Geronimo: An American Legend, The Last of the Mohicans....all fantastic films that are mildly inaccurate historically. If you want to see a few great actors do what they do best, then I suggest you see this film and don't worry about the accuracy of the facts. Just enjoy the quality of the film, the storyline and one of the greatest actors of our time.
TxMike Before this movie I knew nothing of Ned Kelley, famous Irish-Australian outlaw of the 1870s. I secured the DVD from my public library because of Heath Ledger who met an untimely and early death not too many weeks ago.Heath Ledger is Ned Kelly, only 16 at the beginning of the story in 1871. Born in Australia of Irish immigrants, Ned was a fine boy and even won a silver and green ribbon as an honor for saving the life of another boy from drowning. But he and his family were hassled by the British 'coppers' in the province, especially one who was after his sister Kate's affections, but she had no interest in him. So Ned, the big brother, often found himself as his sister's protector.This angered the British copper who, as revenge, claimed Ned shot and wounded him. It wasn't true, but failing to find Ned the police imprisoned his widowed mother. This angered Ned to no end, and vowed to take things in his own hands. This somewhat parallels what happened to get Jesse James into robbing trains.Orlando Bloom is Joseph Byrne, Ned's good friend. Naomi Watts is a married woman who lives near, and she and Ned have an attraction. Irish actress Kerry Condon is Ned's sister, Kate Kelly.New Kelley and his gang became legendary, and most of the Irish communities in Australia looked at them as heros of sorts. But Ned had no idea where it would end, and had to deal not only with Australian authorities but also with the Kingdom.Geoffrey Rush is Superintendent Francis Hare, who is taken from a mission in S. Africa and sent to Australia to capture or kill Ned Kelley. So, much of the last 1/3 of the movie is to see if Ned can withstand the more powerful troops.I don't consider this a great movie, but it is a good one and Ledger is superb as Ned Kelley. SPOILERS. Ned had a plan to get to the troops. They pulled up rail and planned to kill or injure most of the troops coming by train. But a traitor went off and warned them. They stopped to repair the tracks, and arrived intact. In a fierce fight many of Ned's friends and family were killed, but Ned survived, badly wounded. He was imprisoned, tried, and hung in 1880 at the ripe young age of 25.