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My Brother Jack

  • TV Movie
  • 20012001
  • 3h 2m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
118
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
My Brother Jack (2001)
  • Drama
A boy looks up to his big brother, Jack, who is his hero and is someone that he is not - brave, noble and has the courage to stand up to their father. When their father returns from the batt... Read allA boy looks up to his big brother, Jack, who is his hero and is someone that he is not - brave, noble and has the courage to stand up to their father. When their father returns from the battlefields of France to his family, he sends his younger son to an apprenticeship in a jam f... Read allA boy looks up to his big brother, Jack, who is his hero and is someone that he is not - brave, noble and has the courage to stand up to their father. When their father returns from the battlefields of France to his family, he sends his younger son to an apprenticeship in a jam factory designing the labels. There, his boss sends him off to art school, but his real pas... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
118
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Ken Cameron
  • Writers
    • John Alsop
    • Sue Smith
    • George Johnston(novel)
  • Stars
    • Matt Day
    • Simon Lyndon
    • Claudia Karvan
Top credits
  • Director
    • Ken Cameron
  • Writers
    • John Alsop
    • Sue Smith
    • George Johnston(novel)
  • Stars
    • Matt Day
    • Simon Lyndon
    • Claudia Karvan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 5User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 5 nominations

    Photos

    My Brother Jack (2001)
    Dean Bennett in My Brother Jack (2001)
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    Top cast

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    Matt Day
    Matt Day
    • David Meredithas David Meredith
    Simon Lyndon
    • Jack Meredithas Jack Meredith
    Claudia Karvan
    Claudia Karvan
    • Cressida Morleyas Cressida Morley
    William McInnes
    William McInnes
    • Mr. Meredithas Mr. Meredith
    Angie Milliken
    Angie Milliken
    • Minnie Meredithas Minnie Meredith
    Ellouise Rothwell
    • Helen Midgeleyas Helen Midgeley
    Robert Menzies
    • Gavin Turleyas Gavin Turley
    Raelee Hill
    Raelee Hill
    • Sheilaas Sheila
    Felix Williamson
    Felix Williamson
    • Sam Burlingtonas Sam Burlington
    Jack Thompson
    Jack Thompson
    • Bernard Brewsteras Bernard Brewster
    Rebecca Howell
    • Peggy Turleyas Peggy Turley
    Lucy Taylor
    Lucy Taylor
    • Jessicaas Jessica
    Denis Moore
    • Curtis Condonas Curtis Condon
    Jonathan Oldham
    Jonathan Oldham
    • Bertas Bert
    Ross Thompson
    • Old Joe Dentonas Old Joe Denton
    Petru Gheorghiu
    • Paul Kleinas Paul Klein
    Sullivan Stapleton
    Sullivan Stapleton
    • Young Joeas Young Joe
    Maurie Annese
    • Wally Solomonsas Wally Solomons
    • Director
      • Ken Cameron
    • Writers
      • John Alsop
      • Sue Smith
      • George Johnston(novel)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    User reviews5

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Jack's all right
    The more you know the novel, and maybe something of author George Johnson's life, the more you can appreciate what a good adaption this is.

    The character of Jack Meredith is one of the most iconic in Australian literature. He is the quintessential Australian male, especially of the first half of last century. He is possessed of the qualities that many Australians used to regard as uniquely Australian. No one with the exception of C.E.W. Bean, the great chronicler of Australia's role in WW1, has ever captured the essence of that spirit like George Johnson in "My Brother Jack".

    Jack, played by Simon Lyndon, has a dynamic personality; seemingly without fear, he will give anything a go. He honours the ideal of Australian mateship almost as a religion, and would stand by a friend no matter what.

    The story is seen from the viewpoint of David Meredith, Jack's younger brother, played by Matt Day, who narrates the film. The story follows the boys' lives from the end of WW1 when their embittered father returns from the war, through to the end of WW2.

    Jack tries his hand at everything from sheep farming to working on a pipeline in Chile, and joins the army immediately on the outbreak of WW2. David gets a start on a newspaper where the editor sees his potential. Both marry; Jack happily, David unhappily. While Jack has few self-doubts, David is cynical and less sure of himself. Where Jack would always stand by a mate, David is too self-serving; when one of his friends is charged with murder, David distances himself as quickly as possible.

    However, Jack is unlucky, injuries prevent him from serving overseas during the war, which hurts his pride, while David ends up a respected war correspondent. The film ends with David living with a new wife in Greece, and Jack more or less living in the shadow of his younger brother's success.

    A few characters and incidents were omitted from the film. I'm sorry the filmmakers didn't include the fight in the brickyard with Dud Bennett where Jack made short work of the bully, illustrating Jack's daring and sense of justice.

    The book was self-revelatory for George Johnson, but he didn't cast his alter ego in a flattering light. In fact, the filmmakers seemed to have accentuated David Meredith's sense of self-loathing.

    Of course, many of Jack Meredith's traits are universal. I have always felt that Jack was a kindred spirit to Paul Maclean, Brad Pitt's character in Robert Redford's "A River Runs Through It" - both shared an inner spirit that didn't allow for a backward step.

    But what gave Jack his uniquely Australian identity was that strong character combined with an almost mystical sense of mateship. While critical of much else about the culture, Johnson did capture that essential quality in his great novel, and this well-made mini-series does an impressive job in bringing it to life on the screen.
    helpful•1
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    • tomsview
    • Jan 16, 2014

    Details

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    • Release date
      • June 3, 2001 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Meu Irmão Jack
    • Filming locations
      • Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
    • Production company
      • Network Ten
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • A$7,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      3 hours 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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