Ned Kelly [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

Making no pretence to be factually accurate, Ned Kelly is at least an engaging action film with its heart in the right place. You don't need to be a student of Australian history to know that a picture detailing the life of the notorious folk hero and outlaw is not going to be a light-hearted romp through the outback. Injustice, persecution and unlawful imprisonment are the meat of his story, all presented here with not too much of a rose-tinted perspective amid generous doses of obligatory action.

Rebellious teenager Ned Kelly (Heath Ledger) is wrongfully imprisoned for stealing a horse and, when he returns to the bosom of his large Irish family, finds that the police won't let him go straight. After being accused of a crime he didn't commit, Kelly is left with no option but to go on the run. Accompanied by his gang (among them Orlando Bloom) he robs banks to survive and also to try and get the money together to free his family from prison. There is some considerable romanticising of the story and the man himself, due in part to Ledger's affable Robin Hood-esque working-class hero portrayal. Bloom is wide-eyed and daring as Kelly's main man, and Naomi Watts as his married mistress has the thankless task of breaking up some great action sequences to play the unnecessary love interest. --Kristen Bowditch

Customer Reviews:

Ledger's finest?.......2008-01-28

On it's release, the reviews were mixed. I always compared this to an 'Australian Young Guns' with Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom taking on the Emilio Estevez and Kiefer Sutherland roles. Beautifully shot, well acted and arguably Ledger's finest moment on film (pre Batman)
Highly recommended!

nigh on brilliant.......2006-10-05

Ned kelly is an adaption of the true story of the life of ned kelly who was an infamous australian outlaw who ran havoc through the state of victoria in the 19th century.Heath ledger plays ned kelly and does a good job of portraying a rogue that did what he did for his family in a roundabout way and became a hero due to his humour and his hatred of the victorian police who jailed his mother just to get to ned.
Orlando bloom plays the charming joe byrne who was a sidekick of neds,who had the will and charm to get the kelly gang out of some tricky situations.
The film is a good portrayal as it doesn't make ned out to be an angel,he wasn't,he killed police and caused harm where he went but when you realise his motivation you can't help but cheer him up,as this is based on true life you know that there won't be a happy ending [...]By the way the famous stand off where the gang dress in armour and fight the police is both exciting and moving,brilliant.

Very watchable..........2005-05-05

From the first few scenes this movie has a distinct "B movie" feel to it. The script and plot pace feel a bit jumpy at times and there isn't perhaps the depth of feeling towards the characters that you would like to feel. Therefore in the last scenes some of the Kelly gang's demise isn't "felt" quite so powerfully as it might have been.

Heath Ledger makes a fairly good "Ned", although in trying the Irish accent, he occasionally appears to hold his head strangely to get the accent out!!! Orlando Bloom is an excellent sidekick to "Ned".

Visually the movie is quite simple, with nothing exactly spectacular, but somehow the movie works and is very watchable and enjoyable. A bit of a hidden gem in fact and perfect in DVD format!

The DVD extras are a bit thin on the ground, but provide some info on the background to the real Ned Kelly, for those not so aware of the legend.

However, I definitely feel it was money well spent when I bought this DVD.

Ned Kelly.......2005-02-11

Quite difficult to understand the irish accent and not easy to follow the film. I had read the book, so knew what would happen but if you had no concept, this is not a good example of the tale.

totally awesome.......2004-06-24

Well, id waited a long time to see this film because no-one wanted to see it at the cinema with me so i had to wait for it to come out to rent and when i finally got to watch it, it certainly was worth the wait!!

I had no interest in the history of Ned Kelly and found that u didnt need to be to enjoy this film as its all self explanitory anyways. I thought this would be quite a heavy film because of the history behind it however it was very humourous at stages helping to ease any tension caused. My personal favourite part was when orlando bloom picks up a small animal skull and makes it say hello! i nearly wet myself laughing at this bit because it is just so random and unexpected! i think thats the beauty of the film at times, they just surprise u.

Sure at times Heath's "irish" accent grinds on u but u do get used to it and sometimes end up laughing at it but orlando bloom in this film is magnificent! He puts the others to shame and i thought it was a pity he didnt have a bigger part to play, he certainly could have given heath a run for his money!

Anyways ill leave it at that just saying that it is an excellent film, maybe not everyones cup of tea but u never know until you try it and it is very funny. I enjoyed it that much i bought it the day aftr i rented it out!! Must watch!

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