High Ground

Released May 14, 2021

1h 44m

Adventure

Drama

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List

90%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Travis never thought he would cross paths again with Australian indigenous Gutjuk, when he saved the life of this young child from the killings of the white men. Back from First World War, ex-sniper Travis recruits Gutjuk, now 19, to track down his uncle, the leader of the Aboriginal mob that terrifies the Territory. Travis has no choice but to trust the young Aboriginal and teach him to survive, while Gutjuk must take his life in his hands if he wants to find his place in between the white men and the Aborigines.

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Critics Consensus

A gripping action story as well as sobering commentary on colonialism, High Ground is a vividly engrossing attempt to grapple with Australian history.

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David Stratton

The Australian

The ravishing cinematography by Andrew Commis explores the wild and rugged landscapes of Kakadu and Arnhem Land against which a powerful story of white privilege and aboriginal dispossession unfolds.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 3, 2021

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

RogerEbert.com

Between its evocative ensemble, fluid editing, and interest in Aboriginal culture, High Ground is worth a watch, even if it ultimately feels overshadowed by the message it's trying to send rather than being defined by the story it actually tells.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 14, 2021

Full Review

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

This movie makes a solid case as both a statement and an action picture.

May 13, 2021

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Jane Freebury

The Canberra Times (Australia)

A superb Outback western.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 23, 2022

Full Review

John Serba

Decider

High Ground is far from perfect. But it also isn't content to adhere to genre trappings; its thematic ambition and visual dynamic makes it worth a watch.

Dec 3, 2021

Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

High Ground is a powerful and hugely effective film.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 27, 2021

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Dean C

Beautifully shot, immersive sound design and a gripping story. A brilliant Australian Western.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/24/24

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Ez J

The movie looks great but unfortunately lacks any real depth to either the storyline or the characters. A strong start is let down by a long lethargic second and third act.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/14/24

Full Review

Jacqui P

Stunning but not over the top cinematography, a pared back but absorbing plot, excellent acting, some historical context and cultural exploration, and a bit of a western shoot ‘em up vibe. I’d watch it again. Good stuff. Warning though, Scenes based on actual massacres of Aboriginal people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/24

Full Review

IVAN N

Very informative, ABSORBING history of native Aborigines of late 1910 Colonial British and uniformed British ruthless EMPLOYEES who started a Bush war when a family were tracked and killed.With just one sympathetic experienced soldier there were lots of lives lost on both sides.The story unfolds through the eyes of the ww11 soldier who saw the futility in trying to change their attitudes as more settlers arrived.One native Australian retaliated in revenge by setting mission station bush fires.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/10/23

Full Review

natalie n

Enjoyed this movie, so much more could hve been done with the main characters-still worth watching

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Pretty good. Not your average movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/13/21

Full Review

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Stephen Johnson

Director

Jacob Junior Nayinggul

Gutjuk

Simon Baker

Travis

Callan Mulvey

Eddy

Aaron Pedersen

Walter

Ryan Corr

Braddock

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High Ground: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Travis never thought he would cross paths again with Australian indigenous Gutjuk, when he saved the life of this young child from the killings of the white men. Back from First World War, ex-sniper Travis recruits Gutjuk, now 19, to track down his uncle, the leader of the Aboriginal mob that terrifies the Territory. Travis has no choice but to trust the young Aboriginal and teach him to survive, while Gutjuk must take his life in his hands if he wants to find his place in between the white men and the Aborigines.

Director: Stephen Johnson
Producer: David Jowsey, Maggie Miles, Greer Simpkin, Witiyana Marika
Screenwriter: Chris Anastassiades
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Maxo, Savage Films, Bunya Productions
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Original Language: Australian English
Release Date (Theaters): May 14, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 14, 2021
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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