The three Burns brothers are the most wanted thugs in 1880s Australia, tenaciously hunted by the British Captain Stanley (Winstone), who honestly wants to clean up this savage land, much to the chagrin of his posh wife (Watson). After a massive shootout, he captures the younger brothers--brainy Charlie (Pearce) and frightened Mike (Wilson). Then he makes Charlie an offer: If he kills their brutal older brother Arthur (Huston), he won't hang Mike.

Clearly this will all go horribly wrong. And the writing and directing both indulge shamelessly in the morality-play elements. This is a collision between civilisation and lawlessness in which only Stanley and Charlie have some sense of conscience. The production design wallows in blood and sweat, dust and mud, bugs and carcasses--we feel the need to shower afterwards. And all of this combines to make the situations and characters feel constructed and not remotely sympathetic.

It also doesn't help that the film is so stubbornly humourless. It's as if every scene is deeply crucial, every word pure poetry, every landscape sheer perfection. There's nothing relaxed and real for us to grab hold of. Although the acting is terrific--most notably Winstone as the film's only truly complex character. Watson has little to do besides sulk, while Wenham is wasted as Stanley's prim, heartless boss. But Hurt goes for broke as a wild drunk, Huston is seriously deranged as the dehumanised fugitive, and Pearce is as intriguing as always.

Even with the over-earnest tone and the hyper-filthy design, this is a fascinating story about people in a new world where morality is still undefined. The actions of the colonialists are shockingly callous, torturing and killing at any whim simply because they can. And the film's earthy grit certainly gives us the feeling that we're right there in the middle of the muck, while also glorying in the spectacular Outback terrain. But it's not easy to watch. And any message is lost amid the grime and gore.

themes, language, violence, grisliness

22.Sep.05