Australia (2008)

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, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand.

Director:

Baz Luhrmann

Writers:

Stuart Beattie (screenplay), Baz Luhrmann (screenplay),

Stars:

Shea Adams, Eddie Baroo, Hugh Jackman

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shea Adams	...	Carney Boy #3
Eddie Baroo	...	Bull
Ray Barrett	...	Ramsden
Tony Barry	...	Sergeant Callahan
Jamal Bednarz-Metallah	...	Mission Boy
Damian Bradford	...	Constable #1
Bryan Brown	...	King Carney
Nathin Butler	...	Carney Boy #1
Tara Carpenter	...	Essential Services Woman
Rebecca Chatfield	...	Magarri's Niece
Lillian Crombie	...	Bandy Legs
Max Cullen	...	Old Drunk
Essie Davis	...	Cath Carney
Arthur Dignam	...	Father Benedict
Michelle Dyzla	...	Hairdresser

Storyline

In northern Australia at the beginning of World War II, an English aristocrat inherits a cattle station the size of Maryland. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn stock-man to drive 2,000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country's most unforgiving land, only to still face the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor only months earlier.

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Plot Keywords:

cattle | australia | drover | bombing | japanese | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox [fr] 20th Century Fox [us]

Country:

Australia USA UK

Language:

English Aboriginal Chinese Japanese

Release Date:

26 November 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Austrália

Filming Locations:

Bowen, Queensland, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$130,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,294,414 (UK) (26 December 2008)

Gross:

$49,551,662 (USA) (20 March 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Bazmark Films, ScreenWest

Technical Specs

Runtime:

165 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last cinema film of Ray Barrett.

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Goofs

In an early scene, the Drover's truck is running beside some bounding kangaroos. The leg action of the kangaroos does not match the speed they are moving at - the swing backwards is stopping too soon.

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Quotes

Drover: We're not really used to...
Lady Sarah Ashley: A woman? I suppose you think I should be back in Darwin, at the church fête or a lady's whatever you call it. Well I will have you know, I am as capable as any man.
Drover: Guests. We're not used to guests is what I was about to say but now that you mention it I happen to quite like the women of the outback.

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Connections

Referenced in Wetten, dass..?: Wetten, dass..? aus Stuttgart (2008)

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Soundtracks

"The Drover's Theme"
Music by Elton John
Performed by Greg J. Walker
Produced by Greg J. Walker & Baz Luhrmann (as BLAM), Anton Monsted (as BLAM)

User Reviews

Down Under And Then Some

I think the best word to describe this pastiche is "ridicolous" and not in a fun, entertaining way. Baz Luhrmann's ego is all over the screen but there is no visible sign of his intellect. "Somewhere over the rainbow"? Oh please, give me a break! Although the story is the wannabe love story between a man and a woman the whole thing feels incredibly camp and not in a fun, entertaining way. If I sound angry it may be because I am. I sat for three hours! Three hours! To be told this quilted compilation of other much better movies. Nicole Kidman is always fun to watch and that is true also here but for the wrong reasons. Hugh Jackman gets the most loving, sexy framings and close ups. I'm giving "Australia" a 3 and not a 1 due to the young Aborigine star and some spectacular locations.