Director, Producer, Writer - Disaster

'Australia' is, in my opinion, a good example of the problem that can arise when one person has too much control over production. Simply, there was nobody looking over his shoulder saying 'Are you sure mate?' or anyone with the guts to tell him things that he should of heard, like 'I think you're crossing the schmultz factor here mate'. To make matters worse, the only people with the power to question his decisions, the lead actors, seemed to think he was a god. The result, tragically - disaster

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Something Different

Viewing the film was an arm-wrestle for me. Finally, I found myself affected emotionally by it, without wanting to be. On reflection I came to the view that it's a story first and foremost. It's fairy-story like rather than melodrama, a 'once-upon-a-timer'. At times, we are asked to suspend aspects of reality, there's a prince and a princess, a wonder-child, a black and a white wizard (black is good!), the lighting is surreal - Shrek like, and 'they lived happily ever after'. I'll see it again.

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it asks questions

For me "Australia" was a variation on the "Western" genre of John Wayne period with a sophisticated transitions to the cultural dualities. Spears replace guns, economic attrition buys time. One could easily dismiss the effusion of stolen generation as economic lubricant. To be fair the treatment serves to evoke and respect our native population pricking my particular curiosity and giving little away and acknowledging. Gulpilli 's restraint angles the aboriginal "political inertia"

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A film with a high cringe factor

"Australia" is a confused, derivative and cliche piece of nonsense. It cannot decide what it should be. Is is a western, or a piece of aboriginal mysticism or a war film? Characters were muddled and confusing and the iconic humour typical of a Luhman film was missing. Three hours of confused plotting and lack of believability. It played lip service to the stolen generation and was full of factual errors. Nicole Kidman was truly awful, and Jackman was wooden. I cringed throughout the whole film.

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Australia/Baz - Genius

Thank you Baz: Australia was romantic, funny and brilliantly cast. I understand the need to have Australian actors portray the events that unfold in the film. I enjoyed the strong correlation the actors all obviously have with Australia. The film showed respect for Aboriginal culture: David Gulpillil and Brandon Walters were excellent; as was the story line for the stolen generation and the white australia policy. It was even better the second time around. I cannot wait to have my own copy!

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