Backyard Ashes (2013) User Reviews

Right Down the Middle

[tainoarawak · 5/10 · 26 June 2014]

Really, a 5 1/2, (hence, my summary title) but that wasn't an option. I was a bit bored at first, but it was a rainy, lazy Sunday, so I kicked back and sat through it--and you know what? As it went on, it grew on me. I don't watch cricket, nor do I understand the rules, but it doesn't take an aficionado, or a genius to figure out that backyard cricket is a pastime over in Australia. In a way, this movie is an ode to the love of the game, family, and friends.

You won't get big laughs out of this one (at least it didn't happen for me, and I suspect it won't happen for most), but you will find yourself smiling, and that smile will remain for awhile after the movie ends.

Another thing about this low budget little movie is that it is clean, good fun (except for a bit of swearing, but nothing to write home about). It's something the whole family can enjoy, or an alternative if you just need a break from the raunchy stuff. Not every comedy has to be full of cursing, douche-bags, and tits--something Hollywood seems to have forgotten.

This is a cute, feel-good movie about the possibility of making friends, even with your enemies, that puts some faith back in humanity. Yes, there were clichés, and it was a bit cheesy, but c'mon, admit it: sometimes you're in the mood for a nice little chunk of cheese. With a few crackers on the side. And a beer.

If you've got nothing to do on a rainy evening, kick back with the family, pass the cheese and crackers, crack open that beer, and give it a shot. You might be surprised.

It's in my backyard as well

[fernandes_andy · 6/10 · 2 July 2014]

Backyard Ashes looks like a low budget movie with a big budget relation to real life. Being an Indian and playing cricket with friends and family, I can truly relate to this movie. This was my 1st Australian movie that I have watched and I must admit it hit the right cords. Big budget movies generally focus more on the big names but this focused on everyone in the movie. It was a simple yet very honest movie. Loved ones getting together, playing a good game of cricket, the annoying and unfriendly neighbors, the old couple upstairs, the entire locality and the craziness that comes along. Its a good watch for a nice lazy afternoon....

Pretty awful (the bits I saw).

[Equivoco · 3/10 · 29 March 2014]

This movie was a first for me - the first movie that I have ever left (or even contemplated leaving) half way through. It was dull and unfunny, but worst of all it was clichéd. Despite some appealing performances (particularly from the women, who had very little to do) the overall effect was dispiriting. The "all bosses are bastards" concept was laid on thickly, and the upper class Englishman stereotype was offensive and could probably be viewed as racist. (The supporting "ethnic" roles were also in questionable taste.) There was a lack of logic and consistency in the set-up - for example, the English boss was a skinflint who bought a house because it was cheap but drives an expensive car. After smiling once, laughing never and gritting my teeth constantly, I left about the half way mark. Even though this is a short movie it wasn't worth wasting any more of my time on. I take no pleasure in criticising what is obviously a low budget movie, but I took even less pleasure in watching it.

If you are good at something, challenge your enemy with it.

[Reno-Rangan · 7/10 · 12 July 2014]

There are not many movies made for this theme. A movie about the cricketing sport from Australia means very interesting. Commonwealth nations know the Australian dominance in this particular sport. So I think it is specially dedicated to world cricket lovers and no one else. Those who like cricket would enjoy the movie maximum than those who don't know. Be prepared, the Ashes is here in the backyard.

'The Ashes' is the annual cricket tournament played by England and Australian teams. Probably the oldest tournament it is and also prestigious to win for the respective nations. So this movie based on the similar style, but in a simple way. A group of factory employees hangout for the weekends to play backyard cricket. Coincidentally, their new boss move in the neighborhood. Since they don't like each other, one freak accident puts them into a rival position. This conflict grows bigger by days gone and becomes national news. So now these two groups have to fight in a backyard cricket match to settle down. The match begins like the similar fashion to the real Ahes and to know how it ends you must see the movie by yourself.

''It's a batsman's world.''

Not a bad movie after all movie that deals on cricket is a rare thing so it worked comfortably for me. It had lots of fun moments, sorry if you don't know the game you won't completely get entertained. At least it will help to learn a few things, but it is not the real game so the rules are altered. If you do know, then it will be a different scenario. Looks like a specially made movie for sun-continent cricket fans with one sub-continent character in it. It is no masterpiece, but a time-pass entertainment flick.

It was not plain, though lacks in depth which kind of looks like a weekend premiered television movie. Amusing characters make us to stick with the movie. The few lines that said in the movie were so good and so strong like that used during real Ashes. Enjoyment is what this movie provides than cleverness in all the departments. So you should suit yourself for that than expecting something extraordinary. One time watch a movie and nothing more else.

Could've offered a lot more

[nzlittleman · 2/10 · 23 July 2014]

I love locally made low-budget movies so have watched my fair share. When I saw this was coming out, I had high hopes as it just sounded like another cult movie possibility. However when you compare this to Australian movies like Crackerjack and The Castle - it really doesn't cut the mustard for a 'low budget' movie. Felt they could've done a lot more with a national past time like backyard cricket and the movie was padded out with a weak storyline. The characters had no depth, the English ones were way over the top with their accents. I think this movie made me laugh once. You can probably tell I'm disappointed, that's because I am.

Embarrassing

[grantss · 2/10 · 3 November 2014]

Embarrassing.

Between making great crime-dramas (eg Animal Kingdom, Snowtown), Australia makes some horrendously bad movies. Pretentious dramas (eg Jindabyne), low-brow comedies (eg the Wogboy) and its cousin, the intended-to-be-folksy-but-really-quite-stupid comedy. This is one of the latter.

Watched this because it involved cricket, and almost immediately regretted it. It has some good moments - some cricket in-jokes (eg the Muralitharan = chucker observation and bowling a beer underarm to a New Zealander) and some other laugh-out-loud moments - but these are few and far between. This is seriously bad.

Every stereotype is employed, every cliché abused in this farce. The writers and director could not have made the characters more of caricatures of Australians and English if they tried. The plot, for lack of a better word, is silly and contrived. It's as if they wanted to be as predictable and unoriginal as possible.

Embarrassing to watch, especially if you're Australian. A movie made to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

Well meaning, but fails dismally

[anthonymarkos · 2/10 · 9 October 2022]

I wish I could say that this was a feel good movie that was worth the watch, but I couldn't help cringing through most of it.

The movie is set in a regional Australian city, and the conflict between the working class and their employers is set up early on, and is played out through cricket.

If I start with what the film does well; some effort was made to show some diversity in the casting (which hasn't always been done in Australian movie history). The film does have some amusing moments, but those moments were rare.

The film fails in that all the characters are appalling caricatures that are barely relatable to anyone. The management staff at the factory speak in the most absurd British accent, that would have been laughable even in a period piece set in aristocratic British society in the 19th century.

Some of the humour (mocking the Brits for drinking soft drink over beer) and mocking the New Zealander by making some vague 'sheep' reference, just made me and my family cringe rather than laugh.

As an Aussie, I am proud of my culture and Australian film legacy, but too often film makers try and play to archaic stereotypes of 'aussie-ness' that aren't really steeped in reality. This is unfortunately one of those films.

Loved it!

[r-burgess35 · 10/10 · 20 April 2014]

It was an excellent movie. Short summery a 'whinging pommie' and a 'dinkum Aussie' sort the differences in backyard cricket. The movie itself was a good small budget comedy that unlike others really delivers not only a good laugh but conveys a message about how a person who you don't like can become a friend. The whole setting is a typical Aussie setup none other than backyard cricket. They have nicknames based on popular cricketers such as Dougie waters 'Dougie Walters' and 'pidge 'pigeon aka Glenn McGrath' the whole movie is basically dedicated to the Aussie bloke who loves playing or have played backyard cricket with mates. A must see for a comedy fan!!!

Overall 10/10 A good laugh and a great small budget film!

This is completely not OLS!!!! Don't watch it!!!!

[mattcamiller · 1/10 · 18 December 2017]

I was watching this movie and I was like 'why am I watching this movie!?!' It was totally not OLS and was very bad in my opinion. CAT is better than OLS!!!!!

No-ball.

[bombersflyup · 1/10 · 16 July 2022]

I'm an Aussie who grew up playing sport in the backyard including cricket, so Backyard Ashes had the potential to connect, but it's just too stupid.

A rather demeaning representation really, the characterization and dialogue's lowest of the lows, they're caricatures. There's hardly a funny or genuine moment in the whole thing.

Plenty of laughs with solid runs on the board.

[ptb-8 · 8/10 · 21 December 2013]

This very funny backyard movie is a revelation in home grown film making. A National past time in Australia is Backyard Cricket. Also, Internationally each year teams play in huge stadiums and it is all televised daily across Summer. For anyone who does not know Cricket, especially in the USA, this film won't play well. But for British and probably Indian / Pakistani families, this film will be a scream Here is a film that combines working class comedy and family with sharp satire and a lot of Aussie suburban sports slang most successfully. Imagine THE FULL MONTY mixed with THE CASTLE and KENNY and played in a backyard during a game of Neighbour/Employer cricket. I personally do not like cricket and could not care less about it on TV and in matches that go for days. However, this hilarious 85 minute micro movie transcends all barriers just by being funny and good natured. A strong silly script, ripe performances and sunny satire, nice kids and surprising digital sharp picture and sound, BACKYARD ASHES is a school holiday movie delight and easy to have the family laughing out loud. A big hit in regional cinemas, suburban audiences will also lap it up if given the chance.

Backyard Ashes: a very good work.

[niutta-enrico · 8/10 · 21 June 2014]

A really entertaining comedy with catching characters, terrific actors and dialogues so nice that you are left under the impression that the Authors had much more material than that they had to squeeze in the movie.

The script is so sound that it could easily be a novel instead of a movie. And as in good novels it gets better and better as the story goes on and those people you could find a little annoying at the beginning you'll end loving in the final. I look forward to seeing more from Mark Grentell, Peter Cox and this really talented lot.

And, by the way, I can't play Cricket or have the faintest idea what the bloody rules could be.

Funny, especially for cricket fans

[kenosull · 9/10 · 25 October 2014]

A mate in Australia recommended this movie to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's light-hearted and silly and packed with loads of subtle cricket references (Jardine, Dexter, Harlequin caps, impersonations of famous commentators etc.) which keeps the narrative moving along at a very predictable but steady pace. The story is a bit weak but it's never less than highly entertaining. At times, the stereotypes are a little obvious but remember folks that this is a COMEDY. It's meant to be funny and in the manner of the typical Australian cinematic style (and its refreshing non-conformity to a PC strait-jacket), it entertains without offending.

Puts the big guns to shame!

[kornerbrandon · 10/10 · 20 April 2014]

People have been ranting and raving about all these excellent comedies coming out of Hollywood, but they are often unaware of these low-budget films that can put them to shame. This is one of them.

Dougie Waters (yes, a pun on the great Doug Walters)loves a game of backyard cricket with his friends Spock, Merv, Bin, Taka, Norm and his daughter Kerri. However, when Edward Lords, a pompous, uptight English administrator moves in and fires Norm, Dougie and co. start to resent him. Tensions reach a head when Dougie accidentally kills Edward's prize-winning cat, Dexter. A backyard cricket match of epic proportions is arranged, with the winner keeping the cat's ashes.

Andrew S. Gilbert of "Round the Twist" fame heads the fairly unknown but excellent cast as Dougie, and he captures the "larrikin Aussie" character perfectly.

Felix Williamson plays the moustache-twirling Edward Lords, the villain of the story. It'd be easy to turn Lords into the all-evil character, but Williamson manages to give the impression that Lords is under a lot of pressure.

Damian Callinan, another of the outstanding actors in the film, plays Spock. It's fitting that he provides most of the one-liners in the film (when speaking to the English players: "Better not touch those beers, boys. they'd be too cold for ya") seeing that he is a comedian. You can see that Callinan relishes the role, and never misses a beat with his jokes.

The film has also provided the chance for young actors to get on screen as well. This young cast is headed by Maddison Smith-Catlin, and she does a fine job of playing the young Australian version of the girl-next-door. Something tells me that we may see her in a big Hollywood comedy in 10 years' time.

All in all, this is a well-acted, smartly written, wonderfully directed Aussie cricket comedy that outperforms many big Hollywood ones on a $285,000 budget. I really hope they make this into a franchise, but that's probably just wishful thinking.

Overall, 10/10

Low Budget Australian Cricket Movie

[markdavidpugh · 8/10 · 5 November 2015]

This is a great little movie, I've visited Wagga Wagga (so good they named it twice!) and have several friends there after working locally, in Coleambally and Mt Selwyn. Some good friends brought me this DVD from Oz and it's a little ripper!

Yes, it's a bit racist, based on stereo-types, but typically Australian country people living the good life. Even they don't know they have it so good in life. Easy jobs, well paid, lots of spare time and perfect BAR-B-Q weather every night of the year.

Surely we have all played this game in our own back yards, you already know most of the rules! Over the fence, 6 and out. One handed catches count after a bounce. And no hard bowling or hard balls..... Is it just me, or did we all play this game in the back garden.

Have a couple of beers, laugh at and with the Australians and enjoy this great little movie that you or me could have made in a few days spare time. Wish I'd thought of it first!!!!

A down to earth Aussie Movie

[lexigist-312-557999 · 10/10 · 20 July 2014]

If you liked The Castle or The Dish, then this movie is for you. The characterisations were good, although the "posh" English accent was a bit off. Many of the actors are not terribly well known which gives it an authentic feel. Set in Wagga Wagga a town in outback NSW and full of consummate Aussie humour this movie portrays a typical Australian family with no frills, just a movie about mates and mateship, cricket of the backyard variety and breaking down boundaries - eventually!! Well done to Crow Crow Productions, an independent production company that focuses on the development of New Australian film, and such a shame the Australian movie distributors didn't pick this one up.

Aussie humour at its best

[tradewinds68 · 10/10 · 28 January 2021]

I really loved this movie, and for someone who loathes the game of cricket, that's saying something. Not a big budget movie by any means, it made the best of what it did have. Great acting and a well thought out soundtrack were two of the things that made this movie very watchable. It also showed a community spirit that I personally envied. References to Jardine (during the Bradman era) and his unsavoury bodyline tactics were fun and the inclusion of the poor cat/s as one of the major premises for the grudge match was hilarious. Altogether, it was a tale of the underdog making good and a happy ending for most people. Worth a watch.

THIS IS OLS

[lukeplaneta · 10/10 · 25 March 2018]

It was an ols movie. I loved this film so much that i threatened to pour coke on my friend if he didn't watch it. OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLSO OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS OLS. (ols is better than cat)

Subtle Spoof

[ronniemcl · 8/10 · 24 January 2021]

At first I thought this just another Aussie comedy in the style of The Castle or The Dish. About 20 minutes in I realised this is an Aussie spoof on Aussie comedies and a very clever one. I really hope that's what the director intended otherwise I'd be rating 2 stars.

All the cliches are there: Sunny outdoor lifestyle with a huge barbeque run by blokes Sheilas doing the catering for the players Villain is a whingeing pom Hero is working class man Emphasis on mateship

The writer managed to include every phrase from the Aussie vernacular in the dialogue and the set designer and location manager did a great job of letting us know this was set in Albury. I lived there for a while and recognised everything about it. I'll watch again.

Loved it!

[tantaz · 8/10 · 21 January 2021]

True down to earth Aussie movie. Funny as! Little bit slow at times with some pauses throughout. But great. Oh yeah and only cricket fans will understand "Jardine and Bodyline"

Like the cat and ashes premise, but too predictable and hostile

[hardyhaha-91070 · 25 January 2016]

The premise got me in, and then having started to watch it and read these reviews, I stuck with it and except for the the final seconds of the last scene and effectiveness of the credits in identifying the actors (should be obligatory for animated movies!!) I have to agree with the panning of this movie.

Hostile to some and so predictable. As Rossini may have once said of Wagner -wonderful moments, dreadful half hours - and I think there may have been three moments.

And yes, this too is my first review - similarly moved as another reviewer. That said, at $285 000, how poor is the standard hourly rate for acting?