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The Hard Word

  • 2002
  • R
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Guy Pearce and Rachel Griffiths in The Hard Word (2002)
Pre, "Coming"
Play trailer1:50
2 Videos
8 Photos
CaperDark ComedyActionComedyCrimeDramaThriller

3 brothers are in and out of prison in connection with heists planned by their lawyer et al. He gets them out for the heists and "looks after" the money and one's wife.3 brothers are in and out of prison in connection with heists planned by their lawyer et al. He gets them out for the heists and "looks after" the money and one's wife.3 brothers are in and out of prison in connection with heists planned by their lawyer et al. He gets them out for the heists and "looks after" the money and one's wife.

  • Director
    • Scott Roberts
  • Writer
    • Scott Roberts
  • Stars
    • Guy Pearce
    • Rachel Griffiths
    • Joel Edgerton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    3.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Scott Roberts
    • Writer
      • Scott Roberts
    • Stars
      • Guy Pearce
      • Rachel Griffiths
      • Joel Edgerton
    • 39User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
    • 51Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Hard Word
    Trailer 1:50
    The Hard Word
    The Hard Word
    Trailer 2:19
    The Hard Word
    The Hard Word
    Trailer 2:19
    The Hard Word

    Photos7

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    Top cast47

    Edit
    Guy Pearce
    Guy Pearce
    • Dale
    Rachel Griffiths
    Rachel Griffiths
    • Carol
    Joel Edgerton
    Joel Edgerton
    • Shane
    Damien Richardson
    Damien Richardson
    • Mal
    Robert Taylor
    Robert Taylor
    • Frank
    Rhondda Findleton
    Rhondda Findleton
    • Jane
    Kate Atkinson
    Kate Atkinson
    • Pamela
    Vince Colosimo
    Vince Colosimo
    • Kelly
    Paul Sonkkila
    Paul Sonkkila
    • O'Riordan
    Kim Gyngell
    Kim Gyngell
    • Paul
    Dorian Nkono
    • Tarzan
    Stephen Whittaker
    • Rawson
    Torquil Neilson
    • Mick
    Don Bridges
    Don Bridges
    • Doug
    Doug Bowles
    Doug Bowles
    • Bill
    Greg Fleet
    Greg Fleet
    • Tony
    Ross Daniels
    • Dave
    Peter Regan
    • Governor
    • Director
      • Scott Roberts
    • Writer
      • Scott Roberts
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The films title 'The Hard Word' is a reference to the type of Aussie slang (Cant or Cryptolect language) the films main protagonists use when they would communicate with one another in prison or "on the job". This language is known as Retchab Klat (Rech-tub kay-lat) 'Butcher Talk'. Words spelt backwards with digraphs and plurals kept intact. It was developed as a form of communicating between butchers to either ogle or make fun of certain customers and not draw attention. It is an old time butchers language that is still used in some small country Australian towns to this day.
    • Goofs
      All entries contain spoilers
    • Quotes

      Jane Moore: Do you like robbing banks?

      Shane Twentyman: Off the record, I fucking love it!

    • Crazy credits
      without whom ... Andrena Finlay
    • Connections
      Featured in Behind the Scenes of 'The Hard Word' (2002)

    User reviews39

    Featured review
    8/10

    Australian larrikins better than Tarantino

    This film demonstrates a larrikin-ness that differentiates Australian films within a genre from their American equivalents. There are some scenes that are Tarantino-like, but I don't think that there is meant to be any real comparison. There is a lightness here and what appears to be a refusal to take itself seriously as a genre piece.

    The main performances are stand-out, especially Guy Pearce and Rachel Griffiths. However, some of the minor characters appear to be there only to support plot movement. The best of these is Kate Atkinson as a ditzy blonde, but the rest are cardboard-cutout caricatures.

    From an Australian perspective, it was nice to see Paul Sonkilla reprising his police hardman roles from some of my favourite TV series, although he appears to be slightly typecast.

    I found the cinematography and the sound production quite well done and overall I really enjoyed this regardless of the small flaws, which end up looking more like positive traits - keeping the feel of the movie real and not produced to death, which is a problem I find with so many Hollywood films.
    • romper-2
    • May 30, 2002
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

    • How long is The Hard Word?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 27, 2003 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El gran golpe
    • Filming locations
      • Pentridge Prison, Coburg, Victoria, Australia(jail)
    • Production companies
      • Alibi Films
      • Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)
      • Wildheart Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $426,880
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,422
      • Jun 15, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,085,562
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Guy Pearce and Rachel Griffiths in The Hard Word (2002)
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