From Erin

As the opening credits began, my anticipation of this film was so high, I was practically jumping out of my seat. From the first few moments of the film and consistently through to the end, we are held in a gripping, compelling story. There isn't just one scene that stands out, but many, leading the film to impression the audience and amaze them.

Previous reviews have claimed the film glorifies Ned and his gang, but in my opinion, if you are going to make a film which is narrated by the main character, telling their side of the story, of course it is going to take that characters side. That said, this film still allows the audience to make judgement for themselves. There are parts where you can see why they would want to go after Ned, but then there are also scenes where the injustice the Kelly family face is horiffic.

The films hue is gritty and suits the timeframe it is set in. There are a lot of shots of Australian flora and fauna, which in some ways can be good, but in others, it had a negative effect. It is a bit overdone in parts, making the viewer feel they are watching an 'Australian Outback' documentary, rather than a film.

The casting was tremendous, and with the emission of the numerous nature shots, the scenes were all powerful, whether in humour or seriousness. Heath Ledger in the title role, was made for this character. He brought out all the elements Ned is said to have had, and satisfies viewers expectations of what they feel he should have been. He is everything and more, and Heaths' passion for this role comes through to the screen.

Orlando Bloom was equally charismatic, fulfilling his role and surpassing all judgement. The friendship Heath and Orlandos' characters share feels entirely real and genuine, and it is likely that whoever said the eyes are the window to the soul could have been speaking of the moments Orlando spent on screen. He has proved his talent further, allowing us to see several of his sides, not previously witnessed in The Lord of the Rings films.

Laurence Kinlan and Philip Barantini were fabulous in their roles, from the beginning to their bitter sweet end, their youth brought out the innocence in their characters, and i applaud Jordan for casting such young actors in such critical parts.

Enrolling Geoffrey Rush in the role of Superintendent Hare was a well-made decision. It drew the eye into the police force, the audience needing an established character to identify with, and recognising the great force the Kelly Gang was up against.

Naomi Watts character was simply there as an alibi for Ned, which she doesn't end up giving. Also there is a short scene with Julia Cook, Ned and her husband, which demonstrates the lack of trust and the low regard the upper class give to the Irish. Other than that, there aren't really any key elements that help the story along, except to give a break to some of the intense shoot-outs and persecution.

All in all, the film is exceptionally shot, and the direction is supurb. I loved it, and can't wait for the day I can see it again. I recommend everyone to go see it, because even if it isn't the cast you are interested in, the story is gripping, and it really demonstrates that particular era of the Victorian state well.

By Rose Capp - The City Weekly
Typed up by Devaeriel

In The Century or so since his death, the figure of Ned Kelly has been appropriated for myriad purposes. From literature to TV ads to contemporary ballet, the Kelly legend has arguably gripped the public and artistic imagination like no other national narrative. Kelly has been an equally significant presence in the history of Australian cinema, with one of the world's first feature films devoted to his story. ( The Story Of The Kelly Gang, 1906).

The release of Gregor Jordan's unimaginatively titled Ned Kelly makes yet another cinematic contribution to the current revival of interest in the bushrangers colourful story.Purist may take exception to the considerable liberties Jordan's film takes with the facts of the Kelly saga. Adapted from Robert Drewe's novel 'Our Sunshine', John Michael McDonagh's screenplay tweaks the Kelly legend in both small and significant ways.

The most conspicuous contrivance is the addition of a 'wrong side of the tracks' romance between Ned and the wealthy, married Englishwoman, Julia Cook ( Naomi Watts) The fictionalised relationship provides the requisite romantic frisson in what is an overwhelmingly masculine tale of derring-do. But the romance comes across as exactly that, a pragmatic narrative device that distracts from the genuinely interesting male melodrama at the heart of the Kelly gang story.

In Ned Kelly, the film- makers have elected to focus primarily in the last five years of Kelly's life. this is perhaps why the film fails to really convey the complexity of Ned's character. Not enough screen time is devoted to establishing the harsh social conditions in general. and the particular circumstances of the Kelly family that shaped Ned's brand of social vigliantism.

Despite all this. the film will no doubt attract a considerable audience. Overly pretty images of the Victorian country side abound, the mandatory shots of cute Australian fauna guaranteed to appeal to a global audience. The predominantly young, spunky, box office friendly cast acquit themselves well. Heath Ledger is credible in the title role but it is the quiet intense screen presence of Orlando Bloom as Joe Byrne, that makes a truly memorable impact. Rachel Griffiths' cameo as a lascivious Bank Manager's wife is ill judged, while Geoffrey Rush is suitably impassive as chief law enforcer Superintendent Hare.

While Jordan's latest film shows less of the vigour and visual flair that characterised his entertaining debut feature, Two Hands (1999), Ned Kelly is never the less worth a look.

Rating ***

From Laurie

First off, I just wanted to display my displeasure at the amount of flora and fauna shots that Gregor Jordan inserted mainly throughout the first half of the movie. I assume it was to establish mood and atmosphere of the country, but after the first hour, you kind of get the picture.........So now that that's out of the way - THE GOOD STUFF!

I know there has been a lot of talk about how small the parts of Julia and Superintendent Hare are, but I think it would have been distracting if either of the character's had been on for longer - after all, it was Ned's story and once they served their part in it, that's all they're needed for. Plus, I don't really think Geoffrey Rush's role was really that small - certainly, he was in a large chunk of it, yes, he did utter only a couple of lines but the reason he was there and the effect of him on the gang was hugely clear. I loved all the small cameos - though only Australians would probably recognise them, and the music is haunting and touching, each piece captures the scene and really hits you hard in the guts, making it sink it.

Heath Ledger is of course brilliant and enigmatic, the passion he shows for everything just makes you understand how intense Ned was, it is just unfortunate that the movie couldn't include everything or even other interesting facts. Though to be truthful, it really didn't feel like ONLY 100 minutes, it felt longer to me - but in a good way - and though certain events are rushed together as if they happened one day after the other, it doesn't destroy the actual story of events. Orlando Bloom is really charismatic in this! You can see why all the ladies he talks to are charmed, and he never comes across as sleazy or characitured sex-obsessed which can so often happen with ladies men. He is smooth and intense and his on-screen friendship with Joel Edgerton seems very real and natural ( Joel is one of the best things in the movie - he is so likeable at the start you really stay with him, and what happens seems so tragic - it was all just a misunderstanding not on Aaron's part!!).

Phillip Baranti(?) and Laurence Kinlan are really great too - they are cute and the 'Dan the ladies man' scene is just adorable. They also did the best scene of the whole movie in my opinion - their final bit of dialogue made me bawl, embarrassingly enough. All in all, A TOP MOVIE! yes, there are some bits that make you cringe, but they're few and far between and they're so little you can't give a stuff anyway. Basic line is - Australians should be proud! A good representation of our nation icon!

From Claire

I got a chance to actually go into the premiere movie after I won tickets to see it after i made this poster for Orlando and Philip Barantini who plays Steve Hart. I met Heath,Naomi,Joel and Phil and my friend Maria and I also got a chance to go to the after party!.

My review on the movie!

It has to be one of the most spectacular movies i have ever seen! I didnt know all about Ned , i have been to Victoria and walked around the Melbourne jail and been to Glenrowan but I didn tknow everything about Ned's life and the sequence of what is in the movie and has been told.

Heath Ledger was absolutely amazing as Ned! I had to get use to the accent a bit but Ledger's movements and determination of playing Ned was excellent! yo ufelt the pain Ned had for all the things he was standing up for.

Orlando, well I had been waiting a whole year to see him in this and I think it all was worth the wait! Orlando was just heart pounding! Like they say he does carry a bit of humour in this and he does it well! Parts of the movie he is quiet but still he holds the scene up still. Sometimes you feel Joe has a watchful eye over Ned and he's really the loyal friend and the lifelong one.

The sceneary is wonderful, Gregor captured the Australian landscape well and the shots of different wildlife is in true aussie style! Some scenes end abruptly and you wonder why it ended there suddenly but apart from that the whole film keeps you in gear and the final scene is gut wrenching and the whole presence of the movie!

All the boys did a fantasic job! Beautifully filmed and acted! The best aussie movie i have seen!

From Alex_B

I saw "Ned Kelly" this afternoon. From the point of view of an Australian who cannot recall a time when I didn't know about about Ned Kelly, who grew up in a culture in which primary school children where made to learn The Bushrangers poem by heart (decades on, I still remember most of it) , who has read the history and the legend, and who has seen Kelly's death mask and the gallows where he was hanged, the film was a little disappointing. I don't have a problem with the occasional fictionalising of certain facts per se, especially if they enhance the drama of the film, but in this case there were perhaps a few too many deviations from known facts for rarely good effect. Its was also ridiculously short at 109 minutes! Considering that a lot of character development could have taken place in the (might I say - beautiful) Australian bush for relatively little expense, its hard to understand why so much of it was left out.

Heath Ledger certainly did justice to the role of Ned Kelly such as it was (in performance terms, light years ahead of its former incumbent). Naomi Wattsername was insipid in a totally redundant role. Geoffrey Rush was largely under-utilised. Orlando Bloom was also a little disappointing - not because Bloom wasn't amazing in the role of Joe Byrne, but because the role of Joe Byrne, though potentially a good one, was not - on this occasion - good enough for Bloom. Bloom's portrayal of Joe's intelligence and literacy, his "calm" to Ned's "rage", his way with women, while brilliant (to the point of being scene-stealing) in themselves, were all too brief, and other vital aspects of Joe's multi-dimensional character were completely omitted: the depth of his friendship with Aaron, his addiction to opium, his own version of rage. IMHO, the story should have focused more on the complex relationship between Ned, Joe and Aaron Sherritt. This would have given the film a novel twist and would have given Bloom a broader platform for his considerable emerging talents.