Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces firsthand.

Credits: TheMovieDb.

Film Cast:

• Lady Sarah Ashley: Nicole Kidman
• The Drover: Hugh Jackman
• Katherine: Essie Davis
• Neil Fletcher: David Wenham
• King Carney: Bryan Brown
• King George: David Gulpilil
• Sergeant: John Jarratt
• Carney Boy: Shea Adams
• Carney Boy: Nathin Art Butler
• Carney Boy: John Walton
• Carney Boy: Nigel Harbach
• Bull: Eddie Baroo
• Father Benedict: Arthur Dignam
• Gloria Carney: Sandy Gore
• Skipper (Qantas Sloop): Bill Hunter
• Ivan: Jacek Koman
• Captain Dutton: Ben Mendelsohn
• Administrator Allsop: Barry Otto
• Magarri: David Ngoombujarra
• Dr. Barker: Bruce Spence
• Kipling Flynn: Jack Thompson
• Sing Song: Yuen Wah
• Myrtle Allsop: Kerry Walker
• Ramsden: Ray Barrett
• Mission Boy: Jamal Sydney Bednarz
• Sergeant Callahan: Tony Barry
• Daisy: Ursula Yovich
• Nullah: Brandon Walters
• Brother Frank: Matthew Whittet
• Bandy Legs: Lillian Crombie
• Old Drunk: Max Cullen
• Essential Services Woman: Haidee Gaudry
• Porter (Wharf): Jamie Gulpilil
• Lady Sarah’s Butler: Peter Gwynne
• Carney Manservant: Jimmy Hong
• Goolaj: Angus Pilakui
• Darwin Policeman: Adam McMonigal
• Ball Guest: Robin Queree
• Stockman: Mark Rathbone
• Aboriginal Tracker: Crusoe Kurddal
• Flying Boat Passenger Child: Siena Larsson
• Evacuee Mother (uncredited): Danielle Carey
• Maitland Ashley (uncredited): Anton Monsted
• Drover / Guest / Waiter (uncredited): William Gabriel
• Firefighter (uncredited): Chris Polzot

Film Crew:

• Additional Music: Baz Luhrmann
• Screenplay: Stuart Beattie
• Screenplay: Ronald Harwood
• Screenplay: Richard Flanagan
• Producer: G. Mac Brown
• Producer: Catherine Knapman
• Costume Design: Catherine Martin
• Producer: Paul Watters
• Original Music Composer: David Hirschfelder
• Director of Photography: Mandy Walker
• Editor: Dody Dorn
• Editor: Michael McCusker
• Casting: Nikki Barrett
• Casting: Ronna Kress
• Art Direction: Karen Murphy
• Casting: Mike Leeder
• Casting: Ean Tang
• Supervising Art Director: Ian Gracie
• Wigmaker: Kylie Clarke
• Makeup Artist: Jennifer Stanfield
• Makeup Artist: Francesco Nardi
• Hairstylist: Kate Birch
• Hairstylist: Teresa Hinton
• Hairstylist: Ashley Johnson
• Hairstylist: Sheldon Wade
• Post Production Supervisor: Aaron Downing
• Assistant Art Director: Michael Bell
• Assistant Art Director: Ed Cotton
• Art Department Coordinator: Colette Birrell
• Set Designer: Simon Elsley
• Set Designer: Peter Russell
• Construction Coordinator: Diana Freeman
• Sculptor: Jiang Liu
• Sculptor: Belinda Villani
• Scenic Artist: Gaetano Lagana
• Sound Designer: Wayne Pashley
• Supervising Sound Effects Editor: Fabian Sanjurjo
• Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Anna Behlmer
• Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Andy Nelson
• Dialogue Editor: Anne Breslin
• Dialogue Editor: Polly McKinnon
• Dialogue Editor: Delia McCarthy
• Foley: John Simpson
• Special Effects Coordinator: Leanne Brooks
• Special Effects Coordinator: Thomas Van Koeverden
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Andy Brown
• Visual Effects Art Director: Shannan Burkley
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Angus Cameron
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Tony Cole
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Robert Duncan
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Chris Godfrey
• Visual Effects Editor: Katie Goodwin
• Visual Effects Editor: Jon Grinberg
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Erik Liles
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Matt McDonald
• Visual Effects Editor: Alex Meddick
• Visual Effects Editor: Matt Morris
• Visual Effects Supervisor: James E. Price
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Daniel P. Rosen
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Chris Schwarze
• Visual Effects Art Director: Randy Vellacott
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Edson Williams
• Visual Effects Producer: David Worley
• Visual Effects Producer: Shereena-Lee van de Berkt
• Visual Effects Producer: Robin Saxen
• Visual Effects Producer: Chad Malbon
• Visual Effects Producer: Ineke Majoor
• Visual Effects Producer: Felix Crawshaw
• Visual Effects Producer: Steve Dunn
• Visual Effects Producer: Prue Fletcher
• Visual Effects Producer: Diana Giorgiutti
• Visual Effects Producer: Michael Meagher
• Visual Effects Producer: Kilou Picard
• Visual Effects Producer: Angus Reid
• Visual Effects Producer: Kerri Schwarze
• Stunt Coordinator: Greg Stuart
• Stunt Coordinator: Glenn Suter
• Stunt Coordinator: Lawrence Woodward
• Camera Operator: Keir Beck
• Camera Operator: Warren Lazarides
• Camera Operator: John Whitteron
• Still Photographer: James H. Fisher
• Gaffer: Shaun Conway
• Video Assist Operator: Zeb Simpson
• Music Editor: Stuart Morton
• Transportation Coordinator: Ian Nobby Clark
• Location Manager: Mary Barltrop
• Choreographer: John O’Connell
• Unit Publicist: Edweana Wenkart
• Location Manager: Peter Hicks
• Script Supervisor: Sophie Fabbri-Jackson
• Set Decoration: Beverley Dunn
• Electrician: Charlie Nott
• First Assistant Director: Simon Warnock
• Assistant Art Director: Michael Turner
• Concept Artist: Marco Nero
• Concept Artist: Sean Samuels
• Concept Artist: Rowan E Cassidy
• Conceptual Illustrator: Dorotka Sapinska
• Greensman: Peter Annison
• Greensman: Matt Daley
• Greensman: Glenn Johnson
• Greensman: Gavin Malm
• Greensman: James Pruden
• Greensman: David Swanson
• Greensman: Sam McDougall
• Prop Maker: Hayley Egan
• Set Dresser: Graham Dunn
• Set Dresser: Mark Harman
• Storyboard Artist: Nikki DiFalco
• Storyboard Artist: Mark Sexton
• Swing: Dean Maguire
• Swing: Shane Melder
• Swing: Christian Tancred
• Additional Director of Photography: Damian Wyvill
• Best Boy Electric: Matt Begg
• Best Boy Electric: Jason Poole
• Best Boy Electrician: Alan Willis
• Best Boy Electrician: Justin Plummer
• Best Boy Grip: Jeff Eastman
• Best Boy Grip: Jason Trew
• Best Boy Grip: Jason Weekes
• Clapper Loader: Drew English
• Clapper Loader: Joel Froome
• VFX Director of Photography: John Stokes
• Dolly Grip: Brett McDowell
• Dolly Grip: Benn Hyde
• Dolly Grip: John Regan
• Electrician: Simon Allan
• Electrician: David Belleville
• Electrician: Marcos Castro
• Electrician: Steve Daley
• Electrician: Simon Edie
• Electrician: John Ellard
• Electrician: Russell Fewtrell
• Electrician: Stephen Head
• Electrician: Simon Walsh
• Electrician: Michael Webber
• Electrician: Cameron Wintour
• Electrician: Benjamin Dugard
• Electrician: Garfield Darlington
• Electrician: Jay MacNeill
• First Assistant “A” Camera: Jason Binnie
• First Assistant “A” Camera: Ashleigh Carter
• First Assistant “B” Camera: Frank Hruby
• First Assistant “B” Camera: Luke Nixon
• First Assistant “B” Camera: Jay Torta
• First Assistant “B” Camera: Peter Eastgate
• Gaffer: Mark Glindeman
• Gaffer: Moses Fotofili
• Gaffer: Alex Laguna
• Key Grip: Geoff Full
• Key Grip: Glenn Arrowsmith
• Rigging Gaffer: Ian ‘Strapper’ Mathieson
• Second Assistant “A” Camera: Brett Tracey
• Second Assistant “A” Camera: Lesley Watson
• Second Assistant “B” Camera: Paul Seipel
• Second Assistant “B” Camera: Jordan Maddocks
• Second Unit Director of Photography: Greig Fraser
• Steadicam Operator: Peter McCaffrey
• Steadicam Operator: Rusty Geller
• Still Photographer: Mary Ellen Mark
• Video Assist Operator: Luis Olivares
• Video Assist Operator: Peter Quinn
• Video Assist Operator: Stuart Waller
• Hair Designer: Kerry Warn
• Makeup & Hair: Simone Wajon
• Makeup & Hair: Terri Farmer
• Makeup & Hair Assistant: Zoe Saleeba
• Makeup & Hair Assistant: Catherine Biggs
• Makeup & Hair Assistant: Brydie Stone
• Makeup Supervisor: Ziggy Golden
• Makeup Supervisor: Lynn Wheeler
• Makeup Supervisor: Laura Schiavo
• Makeup Supervisor: Angela Conte
• Makeup Designer: Maurizio Silvi
• Prosthetic Makeup Artist: Nik Dorning
• Costume Assistant: Millie Adams
• Costume Assistant: Jade Sims
• Costume Coordinator: Bronwyn Doughty
• Costume Illustrator: Gypsy Taylor
• Costume Standby: Christina Plitzco
• Costume Standby: Fiona Nicolls
• Costume Standby: Jamella Hassan
• Costumer: Amanda Enders
• Tailor: Joanna Grenke
• Assistant Editor: Ryan Boucher
• Assistant Editor: Emma McCleave
• Assistant Editor: Geoff Willman
• Colorist: Trish Cahill
• Colorist: Sally Johnson
• Digital Intermediate: Jason Ballantine
• Digital Intermediate: Laurie Hughes
• Digital Intermediate Editor: Matthew M. North
• Digital Intermediate Producer: Anthos Simon
• Editorial Consultant: Rod Dean
• First Assistant Editor: David Birrell
• Negative Cutter: Gary Burritt
• Senior Colorist: Olivier Fontenay
• 2D Supervisor: Dave Dalley
• 2D Supervisor: Erik Bruhwiler
• 3D Animator: Peter Spinaze
• 3D Coordinator: Dave Kim
• 3D Supervisor: Will Reichelt
• Animation Director: Andrew Hellen
• Animation Supervisor: Kevin Spruce
• CG Artist: Ed Coy
• CG Artist: Nicholas Cross
• CG Artist: Michael Orbing
• CG Artist: Nik Kacevski
• CG Supervisor: Emmanuel Blasset
• CG Supervisor: Michael Mulholland
• CG Supervisor: Mike Bain
• CG Supervisor: Morris May
• CG Supervisor: Carsten Kolve
• Compositing Supervisor: Steve Jaworski
• Compositing Supervisor: Sam Cole
• Compositing Supervisor: Julian Dimsey
• Compositing Supervisor: Peter Webb
• Compositing Supervisor: Niki Bern
• Digital Compositor: Jan Adamczyk
• Digital Compositor: John Durney
• Digital Compositor: Daniel Loui
• Digital Compositor: Sarah Sparnenn
• Digital Compositor: Adrian White
• Digital Compositor: Matthew T. Griffin
• Digital Compositor: Gautam Kumar Jayaseelan
• Digital Compositor: Wilfred Patriarca
• Modeling: Jeff Driver
• Pre-Visualization Supervisor: Steve Anderson
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Jenny Basen
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Sarah Jane Dunlop
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Lucinda Glenn
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Mathew Harrington
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Louise Harvey
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Daniela Giangrande
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Robert McDougall
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Michelle Rose
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Alex Serrano
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Stuart Willis
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Naomi Mitchell
• Visual Effects Coordinator: James Sdrinis
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Michael Currell
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Stephanie De Wealth
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Daniel Chavez
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Gemma James
• Visual Effects Production Assistant: Alex Pattinson
• Visual Effects Production Assistant: Hayley Sullivan
• Visual Effects Production Assistant: Nicole Ashford
• Visual Effects Production Assistant: Cameron Sharp
• Visual Effects Production Assistant: Jessica Vines
• Visual Effects Production Manager: Ingrid Johnston
• Visual Effects Production Manager: Octavia Mansfield Schweitzer
• Visual Effects Production Manager: Flavia Dias Riley
• Visual Effects Production Manager: Katrin Arndt
• Visual Effects Technical Director: Selcuk Ergen
• Visual Effects Technical Director: Sotiris Georghiou
• Visual Effects Technical Director: Oleksandr Panaskevych
• Visual Effects Technical Director: Vishal Patel
• Visual Effects Technical Director: Sandy Sutherland
• Visual Effects Technical Director: Joe Thornley
• Visual Effects Technical Director: Miles Green
• Visual Effects Technical Director: Toshi Shiozawa
• Continuity: Eliska Yojtechovska
• Script Supervisor: Victoria Sullivan
• Script Consultant: Steven McGregor
• Armorer: John Bowring
• Armorer: Gideon Marshall
• Armorer: Steve Steenstrup
• Armorer: David Wheeler
• Epk Camera Operator: Andre Deubel
• Epk Producer: Anton Monsted
• Production Accountant: Denise Farrell
• Production Accountant: Paul B. Gibbs
• Production Coordinator: Stephanie De Meautis
• Production Coordinator: Kelly Vincent
• Production Coordinator: Anna Steel
• Production Secretary: Fiona Dunford
• Production Secretary: Hilton Howson
• Production Secretary: Biatta Czerkies
• Title Designer: Silvana Azzi Heras
• Visual Effects Art Director: David Scott
• Property Master: Jo-Ann Beikoff
• Dialogue Editor: Libby Villa
• First Assistant Accountant: Ben Breen
• Additional Music: Felix Meagher
• Additional Music: Angela Little
• Orchestrator: James K. Lee
• Orchestrator: Craig Bryant
• Orchestrator: Ricky Edwards

Movie Reviews:

• John Chard: King George angry at them white fellas. King George say them white fella bad spirit. Must be taken from this land.
• Australia is directed by Baz Luhrmann and Luhrmann co-writes the screenplay with Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood, and Richard Flanagan. It stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, Bryan Brown and Brandon Walters.
• It took a bit of a kicking from the pro critics upon release, where the consensus is that at a cost of $130 million this intended sprawling epic is an ambitious flop. For the record at the box office it practically made double its outlay, so certainly wasn’t a financial flop.
• It’s a mixed bag for sure, a film of two differing halves. First half sends Kidman’s English aristocrat to Northern Australia after she inherits the sprawling Faraway Downs Ranch. Here she finds herself in the middle of a dirty take over plot and reluctantly makes a working pact with Jackman’s stock-man Drover. Seeds are sewn here for a bit of a screwball relationship, all while a cattle feud brews and the Aborigines at the ranch – particularly young Nulllah (Walters) – are in fear of racial tension. Pic then flip-flops into a love story, a war story (as the Japanese attack Darwin) and the bile strewn historical strand that features the “stolen generations” of half-white/half-Aboriginal children.
• With all this going on, as Lurhman nods to classic epics from classic era past, the vistas are stunning and the hard work of cattle ranching is given genuine credence (helps having the rugged Jackman leading the way). Set pieces are exciting, the Japanese aerial attacks realistic for dramatic worth, while the chemistry between the leads, a worthy child performance from Walters and a quality weasel villain turn from Wenham ensure performances don’t harm the pic in that department. There’s even the likes of Ben Mendelsohn and John Jarratt in secondary support slots.
• It isn’t all it can be, and tonally it feels like there might have been some behind the scenes interference (three co-writers probably didn’t help). Yet there are some genuine moments of fun and beauty here, mixed with some heart string tugs and reflection of an historical time that should never ne forgotten. Luhrman reached for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and didn’t quite make it, but it’s honourable and has some damn fine craft for entertainment purpose. 7/10