CLASSICS CORNER: 'Breaker' Morant

‘BREAKER’ MORANT (1980)

My Rating: **** (out of *****)
Starring: Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown, John Waters, Charles Tingwell, Terence Donovan, Ray Meagher, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Rod Mullinar
Director: Bruce Beresford

My Review:
Based on actual events, ‘Breaker’ Morant presents a harrowing account of three soldiers in the British military’s Bushveldt Carbineers who were suspiciously court-martialed near the conclusion of the Boer War in early 1900s South Africa. When one of their comrades is ambushed and killed, Lt. Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant (Edward Woodward – flawless), Lt. Peter Handcock (a feisty Bryan Brown), and Lt. George Witton (newcomer Fitz-Gerald) do what they have been told to do – they seek revenge and kill some Boer soldiers. Instead of business as usual, however, they are charged with murder (and are also implicated in the mysterious disappearance and death of a German missionary) and are promptly arrested.

Essentially a courtroom drama, ‘Breaker’ Morant opens with these three men facing a court-martial proceeding in which their defender is Major J.F. Thomas, a small-town Australian solicitor who was only given one day to prepare for the case. This was also Major Thomas’ first court-martial in which he served as defending attorney. Through a series of well-constructed and progressively revealing flashbacks, it becomes clear that more than these soldiers’ reputations are at stake. Indeed, their very lives are at risk. While all of the facts are unclear, one thing is certain: the British military leaders responsible for calling the court-martial have a secret agenda that aims to use these soldiers at whatever cost to further their cause, which is – ironically – to bring an end to the war.

Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy) masterfully directs this tragic and maddening tale of injustice and hypocrisy that invites us to chew on a most provocative question: Should soldiers be treated and tried as murderers for doing what they are commanded to do by their military leaders, which is of course, in war, to kill? You can feel your blood boil while watching these men - far from “innocent” in the sense that we normally consider the term, but doing only what you or I would probably have done in the same circumstances - being repeatedly mistreated and manipulated so as to serve the British military’s “higher” cause.

In addition to telling a powerful story, Beresford also elicits some marvelous performances from his very talented cast. As mentioned earlier, Woodward couldn’t be better as the wry and magnetic Morant. Brown also creates a palpable fire as Morant’s hot-headed and short-tempered compatriot. But the real standout is Jack Thompson as Major Thomas, whose electrifying portrayal rightfully earned him Best Supporting Actor honors at Cannes. He enters the film quietly, almost clumsily, but quickly unleashes a righteous anger not unlike that displayed by Jesus at the cleansing of the temple in John 2.

In addition to these many strengths, ‘Breaker’ Morant is exquisitely photographed. The final scenes in particular create a shattering contrast between the spacious, barren beauty of the landscape and the terrible darkness of the unfolding events. On that note, the only detriment that can be spoken about this film lies in the oppressive sense of despair which is its parting gift to the viewer. Don’t misunderstand me – I don’t need happy endings. My favorite movie is Dead Man Walking, for goodness sake. But there’s a pervasive and suffocating sense of hopelessness at the conclusion of ‘Breaker’ Morant that almost makes the entire effort seem rather pointless. That caution aside, this cinematic powerhouse is highly recommended.

PG, for some intense scenes of war-related violence and bloodshed, thematic elements, some language, and brief sensuality