Australia

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Australia

PG-13

Released Nov 26, 2008

2h 45m

Adventure

Drama

Romance

War

Western

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

219 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

With the globe on the brink of World War II, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) travels from Britain to Australia to inspect a cattle ranch she inherited. Reluctantly joining forces with a rugged local known as the Drover (Hugh Jackman), she sets out on a cattle drive across hundreds of miles of harsh terrain to save her ranch. But when they finally reach the town of Darwin, they must contend with the same Japanese bombers that just rained death upon Pearl Harbor.

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Critics Consensus

Built on lavish vistas and impeccable production, Australia is unfortunately burdened with thinly drawn characters and a lack of originality.

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Kimberley Jones

Austin Chronicle

When [Luhrmann] goes from silly to turgid in 60 seconds flat -- he punctures Australia's proportions down from epic to simply overwrought.

Rated: 2.5/5

Nov 6, 2018

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

"Australia" is a shameless-and shamelessly entertaining-pastiche. It works because Luhrmann, a true believer in movie-movie magic, stamps it all with the force of his own extravagant, generous personality.

Feb 6, 2018

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Luke Buckmaster

Guardian

The effect of watching a Baz Luhrmann film is indistinguishable from the effect of having a crater-sized parcel of glitter dropped on your head.

Jan 29, 2016

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Lurhmann is noted for his post-modern speed and lighthearted spin. But such impatience doesn’t suit this story or its epic movie intent. Australia loses us from time to time, while wholly enthralling us at others. Overall, the scheme doesn’t work.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 7, 2024

Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

But while Luhrmann's warts-and-all love letter to his sunburnt homeland is both a little half-baked and overdone, there's still enough invention and pure passion to ensure an entertaining, if not entirely engrossing, watch.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 15, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Manages an epic feel and an extreme runtime, though the former is oftentimes merely a result of the latter.

Rated: 5/10

Nov 28, 2020

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Cindy E

I honestly never want to know the people who did not like this film. With such a glitch, we would have nothing in common! I absolutely LOVED this movie! Beautiful cinematography on location in Australia, great cast, lots of chemistry… An exciting story where the bad guys get theirs in the end. Maybe that's not what "critics" like, but that's what I like! I've watched it several times now because I own it, of course.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

An absolute underrated hidden gem of a film. If ypur looking for an old scholl Gone with the Wind type of film this is it. Its overly long, cheesy, corny type of romantic movie that they just don't make anymore.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/09/24

Full Review

Annie R

Oh dear. I thought that with this classy cast and wonderful cinematography I was in for an epic movie. It’s 2.5 hours of my life I’ll never get back.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/20/24

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Anthony J

This movie is a classic now. Also don't miss faraway downs you'll love it if you love this one.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

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Hayley M

Disappointing and dull... no chemistry I had high hopes for this film .... shame

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

Full Review

Andreas H

Absolutely Rubbish, cant belive i wasted 3 hours of my life on this!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/28/23

Full Review

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Baz Luhrmann

Director

Nicole Kidman

Lady Sarah Ashley

Hugh Jackman

The Drover

David Wenham

Neil Fletcher

Bryan Brown

King Carney

Jack Thompson

Kipling Flynn

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Synopsis

With the globe on the brink of World War II, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) travels from Britain to Australia to inspect a cattle ranch she inherited. Reluctantly joining forces with a rugged local known as the Drover (Hugh Jackman), she sets out on a cattle drive across hundreds of miles of harsh terrain to save her ranch. But when they finally reach the town of Darwin, they must contend with the same Japanese bombers that just rained death upon Pearl Harbor.

Director: Baz Luhrmann
Producer: G. Mac Brown, Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Knapman
Screenwriter: Baz Luhrmann, Stuart Beattie
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Bazmark Films
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|A Scene of Sensuality|Some Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Romance, War, Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 26, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $49.6M
Runtime: 2h 45m

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