Sweet Country (2017)

Australian western set on the Northern Territory frontier in the 1920s, where justice itself is put on trial when an aged Aboriginal farmhand shoots a white man in self-defense and goes on the run as a posse gathers to hunt him down.

Director:

Warwick Thornton

Writers:

David Tranter (screenplay by), Steven McGregor (screenplay by)

Stars:

Hamilton Morris, Shanika Cole, Ewen Leslie

22 wins & 29 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hamilton Morris	...	Sam Kelly
Shanika Cole	...	Lucy
Ewen Leslie	...	Harry March
Sam Neill	...	Fred Smith
Thomas M. Wright	...	Mick Kennedy
Gibson John	...	Archie
Tremayne Doolan	...	Philomac
Trevon Doolan	...	Philomac
Natassia Gorey Furber	...	Lizzie (as Natassia Gorey-Furber)
Bryan Brown	...	Sergeant Fletcher
Anni Finsterer	...	Nell
Luka Magdeline Cole	...	Olive (as Luka May Glynn-Cole)
Tom Willoughby	...	Constable Minty
Lachlan J. Modrzynski	...	Constable Campbell (as Lachlan Modrzynski)
Martin McMillan	...	Barney

Storyline

Australian western set on the Northern Territory frontier in the 1920s, where justice itself is put on trial when an aged Aboriginal farmhand shoots a white man in self-defense and goes on the run as a posse gathers to hunt him down.

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Plot Keywords:

flash forward | australian aborigine | court | legality | police officer | 

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Taglines:

Justice seen to be done just isn't enough.

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Genres:

Adventure | Crime | Drama | History | Thriller | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, bloody images and for language throughout

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the western town was "Henry" or "Old Henry Town" whilst the name of the outback pub there was the "Henry Hotel". The picture filmed in a small pioneer village movie set town which had previously been used for a film version of legendary Australian writer Henry Lawson's story "The Drover's Wife", alas, the author's name also featuring the name "Henry". This story has been filmed at least twice [See: The Drover's Wife (1968) and The Drover's Wife (1984)].

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Goofs

When March unloads the Lee Enfield, there are more than 5 rounds (the magazine only took five) also he uses his fingers to retract the bolt, as a veteran of the trenches it was more probable that he would "palm" the action.

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Quotes

Fred Smith: We're all equal here. We're all equal in the eyes of the Lord.

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Connections

Featured in Sweet Country: Warwick Thornton and Dylan Thornton (2018)

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Soundtracks

(There ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)
Written by Thomas A. Dorsey (as T Dorsey)
(© Hill and Range Soundwind Music
Licensed courtesy of BMG AM Pty Ltd)
Performed by Johnny Cash
Courtesy of Columbia Nashville
By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment Australia Pty Ltd

User Reviews

A must see

This movie is an absolute masterpiece of Australian cinema. The way it tells the story is nothing short of amazing. The Cinemaphotography is a joy to take in, it really shows the Australian outback in all of its glory. This film is a must see for anyone looking for a film that will impact your life in a very real way. This is real cinema in all of its glory

Details

Official Sites:

Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund Bunya Productions

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Aboriginal

Release Date:

6 April 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sweet Country

Filming Locations:

Lake Gairdner, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,895, 8 April 2018

Gross USA:

$104,297

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,847,693

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bunya Productions, Sweet Country Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1