Truly Dreadful Film

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

The first must-see film of the year.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

This production is based on the true story of Ben Hall the infamous and legendary Australian bushranger. Unfortunately we don't see much of his exciting life, just the last 9 months. Sort of like watching "The Legend of Butch and Sundance" with the film starting in Bolivia but not as short as Monty Python's "Death of Mary, Queen of Scots." The film could have just as easily been titled, "The Death of Ben Hall" as it failed to show us why the man was legendary, just why he was dead.The Ben Hall (Jack Martin) in this film is dull and lifeless. He is melancholy about being separated from his son. Personalty is reserved exclusively for John Gilbert (Jamie Coffa) a flamboyant outlaw. Like so many low budget films the high budget past was "as read." It has all the components of an outlaw western, but knowing what they left out made the film a disappointment.Guide" F-word. Implied sex. Very brief nudity.

As I am beginning to type my thoughts I know that I might upset some people. So I ask that you forgive my lack of knowledge on this matter. To begin I admit this movie was great. The scenery was amazing, awesome sights. The music I found went very well with the action and the emotions being portrayed. I enjoyed every moment. The only nag I had was Exactly what made this man a legend. This is my second movie of an Aussie Outlaw the first being The story of Ned Kelly Both were extremely well made and the scenes again very beautiful. But in this one I fail to see the grandeur of his how to say outlawness if that is a word. I know the movie doesn't show every robbery that he has done but is also failed to show us exploits that were done to earn him a title such as Legend. There is at one point were one of the men in the posse set out to catch his asks the others if they had ever dealt with Ben before and one man says yes and then another tells a story that you really can't tell if it was true or not but yet again the stories were ordinary stories nothing seemed exaggerated where as when men talk about a legend they always tend to make the story larger than life its self. After all isn't it part of being a legend to have people exaggerate your exploits. To me the only thing that seemed to be exaggerated is the title. The Legend of Ben Hall. OK you can throw your rocks at me know. But I did really much like the movie. as one review stated ,it gave a good glimpse into how life was back in those days and how far ones neighbours are in times of need. I personally love these type of Aussie movies.

First of all boring, I couldn't cope with the main character or the rest of them. A fearless outlaw who never shot anyone, a cheated husband who hit at one of his best friend's wife, eager for revenge, never actually does it, wanted to go to America, never did something in that direction. At some point I really wanted to hunt him myself. A non hero, a non anything, with my deepest apologies to Australian people if this offends them. I never seen a gun fight where nobody is able to shoot someone, not to kill but only shoot, in my entire life. Well except the end, there apparently nobody missed ...

I Went to see this showing at a charity event at the Capri theatre, not my normal choice of movie (to go and watch) and was very pleased i did, i believe this film far surpass'es other stereotypical Aussie films, both in acting and production and quality camera work, and many other areas the subject matter and research show great effort, i was SO impressed i brought the Blue-ray/DVD/Special Feature 3 Disc collectors edition set , in the lobby after showing for 30 AUD plus ticket of 25 AUD $55.00AUD in total without regret ! , if your an Aussie like me and have felt somewhat embarrassed by past Aussie films on an international level, you need not about this film/little gem, as it is truly (World class) production. while the subject matter may steer you away from choosing this over other titles it is most definitely well worth the watch, and something all Aussie's could be proud of in being an Australia production, this film absolutely craps all over and leaves in the dust! , Mick Jagger's attempts at portraying Ned Kelly so many years ago (which is what springs to my mind when reading the cover prior to watching LOL) this is not in the same league or Class as that fizzer , at some points i'd forgotten i was watching a movie due to the intense immersion and relate-ability with the authentic on screen characters , they were very realistic 10/10 from me