True History of the Kelly Gang

I've now written a lot of words about 'True History of the Kelly Gang', but I really don't feel as though I've scratched the surface of this fascinating, complex and shattering film. Using the story of Ned Kelly and his exploits, the film unpacks the concept of Australian myth-making, questions the stories and figures on which we have constricted our Australian identity, and challenges the ideals of Australian masculinity. 'True History of the Kelly Gang' is a magnificent symphony of chaos and contradiction, fury and fear, confusion and clarity, love and revenge, compassion and violence. It left me stunned and speechless, my brain ringing with the sheer scale of it. This is yet another great film digging into the fabric of who we are as a n...

Is the truth relevant in myth-making?

At the end of the day the fence were still not complete but my family had witnessed my new strength and they I could be the man.

• Peter Carey; True History of the Kelly Gang (2000)

And here is the thing about them men they was Australians they knew full well the terror of the unyielding law the historic memory of UNFAIRNESS were in their blood and a man might be a bank clerk or an overseer he might never have been lagged for nothing but still he knew in his heart what it were to be forced to wear the white hood in prison he knew what _it were to be lashed for looking a warder in the eye and even a posh fellow like the Moth had breathed that air so the knowledge of unfairness were...

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com

This was a pretty tough review to write. I had no previous knowledge about Ned Kelly nor his gang. I don't know if this is a well-known story outside of Australia, but I can understand the reasons for its almost non-existent marketing campaign overseas. It will always feel strange when a movie with such a phenomenal cast doesn't get enough advertising. George MacKay is exponentially getting more significant roles, and he's undoubtedly the standout of this film. A genuinely remarkable performance from an actor who keeps impressing me every time I get the opportunity to watch him.

Russell Crowe doesn't have much screentime, but he always co...