A thrilling war drama has been named as the most underrated and overlooked movie of all time and it is streaming on Amazon Prime. Breaker Morant was released in 1980 and is notable for its exploration of the Nuremberg Defence, where the term ‘just following orders’ was used to claim innocence of a crime because of a superior’s command
It is a biographical war film that is based on Kenneth G. Ross’ 1978 play of the same name. The film’s synopsis reads: “Three Australian lieutenants are court martialed for executing prisoners as a way of deflecting attention from war crimes committed by their superior officers.”
The Australian historical film was directed by Bruce Beresford and starred Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters, Bryan Brown, Charles Tingwell and Terence Donovan.
The film won ten 1980 Australian Film Institute Awards, including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Leading Actor (for Edward Woodward) and Best Supporting Actor (Bryan Brown). It also received an Academy Award nomination for the Best Adapted Screenplay.
The film has been voted the number one “All-Time Underrated and Overlooked Movie” by IMDb, where it scores 7.8/10.
Rotten Tomatoes has rated the film at an impressive 100%, with one reviewer stating: “Amazing movie! Acting, plot, script, cinematography all at the top. This movie is the flag bearer of a great period of Australian cinema.”
“Absolutely fantastic film that brings to life the horror of the Boer War while focusing on the plight of a small group of characters. Truly captivating as it manages to make this perhaps dull conflict gripping and moving,” another added.
A third said: “The script is tight and well written. With flashbacks showing the buildup 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 name 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 it recently, it is certainly worth seeing again.”
An IMDb reviewer wrote: “I have repeatedly come back to this film as one of my all-time classics.”
“I can promise you will enjoy this outstanding film, winner of 10 Australian Film Institute Awards. In the annuals of war films and courtroom dramas this ranks with the best of them,” a user noted.
Breaker Morant is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
