In 1880s Australia, a lawman offers renegade Charlie Burns a difficult choice. In order to save his younger brother from the gallows, Charlie must hunt down and kill his older brother, who is wanted for rape and murder. Venturing into one of the Outback's most inhospitable regions, Charlie faces a terrible moral dilemma that can end only in violence.
Cinematography
The Outback shot like a hostile alien planet — beautiful and wants you dead.
Writing
Nick Cave's screenplay: biblical, brutal, weirdly funny.
Score
Also Nick Cave & Warren Ellis — haunting, discordant, perfect.
Director
John Hillcoat
Guy Pearce
Charlie Burns
Ray Winstone
Captain Morris Stanley
Danny Huston
Arthur Burns
Emily Watson
Martha Stanley
David Wenham
Eden Fletcher
Richard Wilson
Mike Burns
John Hurt
Jellon Lamb
Noah Taylor
Brian O'Leary
Robert Morgan
Sergeant Lawrence
Mick Roughan
Mad Jack Bradshaw
David Gulpilil
Jacko
Bryan Probets
Officer Dunn
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The infamous flogging scene required 15 takes. Richard Wilson (Mike) passed out twice from the heat and stress of being strapped to the post for hours.
This helped spark the 'Australian Western' revival, alongside 'The Rover' and 'Sweet Country' — all interrogating the myth of the 'untamed' Outback as actually a site of colonial crime.
AU
