Breaker Morant

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Breaker Morant

PG

Released May 16, 1980

1h 47m

History

Drama

War

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100%

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23 Reviews

91%

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2,500+ Ratings

In South Africa during the Second Boer War, Australian Army Lieutenants Harry "Breaker" Morant (Edward Woodward), Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown) and George Witton (Lewis Fitz-Gerald) stand accused of the murders of six Boer prisoners and the assassination of a German missionary. British Commander-in-Chief Lord Kitchener is determined to see the men found guilty, which he can use as a bargaining chip in an impending peace conference with the Boers.

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Dilys Powell

Punch

Why do I recommend an experience which is uncomfortable, even painful? That is the question I ask myself after Breaker Morant.

Oct 2, 2023

Full Review

Travis Johnson

The Curb

Breaker Morant has very little truck with myth-making, dealing with the self-image and cultivated demeanour of Lieutenant Harry Morant (Edward Woodward), bush balladeer, horseman, Australian soldier, and murderer.

Jul 1, 2021

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Documenting a particularly heinous miscarriage of justice from the country's military history, Beresford's title helped established a legacy of commemorative reenactments from his native country and showcases a trio of excellent performances.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 20, 2020

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Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

Based on a true story but playing like a close cousin to Stanley Kubrick's 1957 masterpiece Paths of Glory.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 3, 2015

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

"Breaker Morant" is an anti-war film that takes no prisoners.

Rated: A+

Apr 3, 2013

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Bold, uncompromising and completely compelling filmmaking.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 13, 2010

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Jonathan K

This movie definitely feels like a product of its time, before forever wars and endless geopolitical chaos made things even messier. The whole “war as a moral puzzle” angle comes off a bit cute, even kinda naive compared to today's reality. So I'm not sure this movie ages well. It was just okay for me; I didn’t really connect emotionally with the characters. The film is pretty minimalistic and understated, but I can respect what it’s aiming for. Which is the idea that nobody’s is right here and everyone's hands are dirty.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

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Jeremy F

The movie has been well crafted from the book 'Scapegoats of the Empire' by George Witton. Other than George Witton's account, there is little else recorded as to what happened in the trial. The script is tight and well written. With flashbacks showing the build up to the trial the movie captures well the atmosphere of the time. The cast is well chosen, with a special mention to Jack Thompson who became a household after his portrayal as Major J.F. Thomas. Although the movie is over 40 years old, I feel it still holds itself well. If you have not seen recently, it is certainly worth seeing again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

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miguel s

Amazing movie! Acting, plot, script, cinematography all at the top. This movie is the flag bearer of a great period of Australian cinema inclusive of Gallipoli, Mad Max, Australian Light Brigade, and on and on.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/24

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Jelisije J

A fantastic war film that is based on a true story of three soldiers who were tried and scapegoated by their government in a time of war for "barbarism" when the country itself should be on trial with the soldiers.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/23/24

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Connor S

A courtroom drama mixed with the hellacious and insidious aspects of war, and somehow ties the 2 together splendidly.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/24

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S R

A compelling military courtroom drama with a Colonial flair. Saw on Tubi.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

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Bruce Beresford

Director

Edward Woodward

Lt. Harry "Breaker" Morant

Jack Thompson

Maj. J.F. Thomas

Bryan Brown

Lt. Peter Handcock

John Waters

Capt. Alfred Taylor

Rod Mullinar

Maj. Charles Bolton

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Synopsis

In South Africa during the Second Boer War, Australian Army Lieutenants Harry "Breaker" Morant (Edward Woodward), Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown) and George Witton (Lewis Fitz-Gerald) stand accused of the murders of six Boer prisoners and the assassination of a German missionary. British Commander-in-Chief Lord Kitchener is determined to see the men found guilty, which he can use as a bargaining chip in an impending peace conference with the Boers.

Director: Bruce Beresford
Producer: Matthew Carroll
Distributor: New World Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: History, Drama, War
Original Language: Australian English
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Runtime: 1h 47m

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