Rule 303

It's not often I see a film from my own country that I feel bursting pride for. You see, many of the Australian films I have watched have either been the tired 'Aussie battler' sub-genre (a likeable Aussie larakin dealing against umimaginable odds and earns a happy ending), or goofy, over-drawn comedies (the ABYSSMAL 'Welcome to Woop Woop'). If I had to make a short list of national films I have enjoyed, they would be 'Priscilla: Queen of the Desert', 'Picnic at Hanging Rock', 'Muriel's Wedding', 'Shine', 'The Castle', 'Red Hill', 'Mad Max' (I and II FTW), 'Lantana', 'Wolf Creek' and the subject of this review 'Breaker Morant'.

Very short history lesson- the Second Boer War was fought between 1899 and 1902 and within those years, the British Army enlisted Australian troops to fight within their military forces against the South Africans. One of the most famous war crimes that occured was the unwarranted execution of a South African prisoner and a subsequent execution streak of six more before a German missionary who supposedly witnessed the incident was sniped down. In an attempt to form an armistice to end the war, Lord Kitchner ordered a trial to bring Australian soldiers Harry Morant, Peter Handcock and George Witton to justice in order to show that the British empire does not tolerate barbarism amongst it's own soldiers. However, this impromptu trial was very much steeped in controversy because the accused soldier's defense attorney was given only a day to prepare- in other words, this case was quite shady. Stranger still, the accused were Australian and there was no mention of British soldiers committing any atrocities though one can be certain they did. On top of that, there was evidence to show that Morant, Handcock and Witton were liable for clemency, but these items were dismissed during the trial. Were Morant and his colleagues truly culpable of this crime, or were they being used as scapegoats?

Bruce Beresford may not be a director the world is familiar with, but his works are quite distinct- no matter how black and white the subjects of his films may initially sound, he changes those colours into shades of grey and avoids didactism. In this movie's case, he doesn't flinch from insinuating the possibility that the deeds Morant and his colleagues committed occured, but he doesn't accuse them either. Rather, he shows that in war, acts of violence may have justification, in Morant's case, it was out of self defense. While there are rules of war soldiers are supposed to follow, in moments of extremity, those rules do not apply- self preservation does, in this case, the only rule Morant and his men were following was Rule 303.

                                                            Alas, Fate is ultimate.

This movie does not plea for the audience to have undying sympathy for the accused men, nor does it point the finger, and it is this approach that truly makes this film brilliant (on top of the fantastic talent). This film is a rich example of a character study during a time of crisis and uncertainty. One of the most striking features of this movie is that it involves excerpts of Morant's poetry during his incarceration that acts as a Greek Chorus of sorts throughout the proceedings of the movie. While first person narration could be construed as being unreliable, we are indeed seeing this movie through Morant's eyes and thus, we are only aware of what Morant was aware of while the rest of the events in the movie have either been taken from court transcripts and hearsay. We may not have known Morant's life up until this point, but in the film's case, what matters is what is happening here and now. Whether or not we believe it is completely up to us. If anything, rather than Morant and company's motives being in question, it is the military order of which they served that is placed under scrutiny. The British military has always been known for it's efficiency, strength and adherance to rules of engagement, but that does not mean that it is always an honorable institution, just like any other enforcement organization.

If I were a dictator, I would make you all watch this film, but since I am not and I just don't have the money or inclination to become one (:-P), all I can do is strongly recommend it, but I can promise that after you see this gem, 'Crocodile Dundee' will not be the only movie that you think of when you see the term 'Australian film'. Please do yourself a favour and see it.

For the record, I have absolutely nothing against 'Crocodile Dundee'.