The Proposition (2005)

A lawman apprehends a notorious outlaw and gives him nine days to kill his older brother, or else they'll execute his younger brother.

Director:

John Hillcoat

Writer:

Nick Cave (screenplay)

Stars:

Ray Winstone, Guy Pearce, Emily Watson

13 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Wilson	...	Mike Burns
Noah Taylor	...	Brian O'Leary
Jeremy Madrona	...	Asian Prostitute
Jae Mamuyac	...	Asian Prostitute
Guy Pearce	...	Charlie Burns
Mick Roughan	...	Mad Jack Bradshaw
Shane Watt	...	John Gordon
Ray Winstone	...	Captain Stanley
Robert Morgan	...	Sergeant Lawrence
David Gulpilil	...	Jacko
Bryan Probets	...	Officer Dunn
Oliver Ackland	...	Patrick Hopkins
Danny Huston	...	Arthur Burns
David Vallon	...	Tom Cox
Daniel Parker	...	Henry Clark

Storyline

Rural Australia in the late nineteenth century: Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone) and his men capture two of the three Burns brothers, Charlie (Guy Pearce) and Mike (Richard Wilson). Their gang is held responsible for attacking the Hopkins farm, raping pregnant Mrs. Hopkins and murdering the whole family. Arthur Burns (Danny Huston), the eldest brother and the gang's mastermind, remains on the loose and has retreated to a mountain hideout. Captain Stanley's proposition to Charlie is to gain pardon and, more importantly, save his beloved younger brother Mike from the gallows by finding and killing Arthur within nine days.

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Plot Keywords:

gang | hideout | outlaw | aborigine | foreboding | 

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Taglines:

Three Brothers one must live one must die one must decide

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong grisly violence, and for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Not only did Director John Hillcoat do extensive research into the period, but he also gave research to all of his cast and crew. According to Richard Wilson (Mike), he was given daily amounts of new research material, as well as VHS tapes and a DVD. As well as the history of Australia, his material included an account of the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War as an example of how men can become able to kill without remorse.

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Goofs

When preparing for the rescue of Mike, Samuel Stoat places his two revolvers in their holsters close together at the front. Two shots later, the holsters are moved back on opposite hips.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Captain Stanley: Do I need to introduce myself?
Charlie Burns: I know who you are.
Captain Stanley: Good. I know who you are.

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Episode #7.19 (2010)

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Soundtracks

The Twelve Days of Christmas
(uncredited)
Music and Words Traditional, arranged by Frederic Austin
Sung a cappella by Gary Waddell and Iain Gardiner with modified lyrics

User Reviews

A great Australian movie

Put simply this is the best Australian movie I have seen for years. A so-called Australian Western this is uniquely Australian and a must see for both Australian audiences and international audiences who would have no idea what living in early 'civilised' Australia must have been like. Well acted with top internationally recognized talent (Pearce and Winstone are fantastic), beautiful landscapes, and a violent yet somewhat beautiful and (again) unique story, I hope this movie is seen well beyond the Art-house, and I hope there is adequate marketing because this movie is so much better than the run-of-the-mill stuff we usually see in the cinema.

Details

Official Sites:

Bodega Films [France]

Country:

Australia UK

Language:

English Aboriginal

Release Date:

9 June 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Proposition

Filming Locations:

Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$32,681, 7 May 2006

Gross USA:

$1,903,434

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,048,693

Company Credits

Production Co:

UK Film Council, Surefire Film Productions, Autonomous

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1