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

Jellon is a real given name. It may be Nepali in origin and may mean something like "Godly and Humor." (Jellon Lamb may also be a subtle joke meaning "Jelly On Lamb" as lamb is often served with mint jelly.)

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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

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 John Hurt Performances (2014)

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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

Aussie Western makes Tombstone look like Paradise.

Nick Cave's essay in the true and tried Western format, shows how a harsh land (Colonial Australia) brutalizes the men who try and conquer it. Yet this tale has passages of lyricism that counterpoint the sudden moments of savagery. It is a very gritty often grisly picture of 19th Century Australia, warts and all, right down to swarms of blowflies. Perhaps the sadistic violence gets a bit over the top especially towards the end, but thanks to a fine cast, crisp direction, and the scorched cinematography it generally works. A standout performance in a minor role by John Hurt rather steals the show, while Ray Winstone and Emily Watson are particularly sensitive together. One suspects the harsh conditions are somewhat overstated for dramatic purposes, though the story is supposedly based on fact. Tombstone Territory never looked as unpleasant as this. It is certainly one of the most interesting period dramas made in Australia.

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:

$20,000,000 (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