Australia | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Drover was rough edged and rowdy and traveled with an Aboriginal sidekick, Bull, played by Ray Barrett. There existed an immediate conflict between Lady Ashley and the rum drinking, tough talking and rather assertive Drover as there existed multiple other conflicts in search of resolutions. Conflicts such as: the competition to successfully herd cattle with the "bad guys," led by the nemesis Fletcher, at every turn against the backdrop of some rough terrain, the mixed Aboriginal Nullah as a member of Australia's "Lost Generation" and derisively known as a "Creamy," the sudden and unprovoked bombing of Darwin by the Japanese soon after their attack of Pearl Harbor, Lady Ashley's maternal instincts to bring Nullah closer to the Caucasian world, complete with "The Wizard of Oz" (period film made an impression on Nullah, especially the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow") and the Aboriginal Grandfather's drive to teach him his "own story."


Hugh Jackman's Drover was the proverbial tough, honest cowboy, who doubled as the romantic lead. Somewhat of a combination between John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Gary Cooper but set in the Australian outback in the late 1930s: Above.
    This epic, similar to the magnificent epic "Lawrence of Arabia," has the interaction of drama within the scope of a richly historical period and Cinematographer Mandy Walker's close attention to painstakingly film the beauty within a harsh environment magnifies its scale. The multiple conflicts, the cinematography within the panorama of a rough terrain, the interaction of actors, the cattle and the issue of xenophobia reminded me so much of John Ford's classic westerns and Hugh Jackman's Drover was somewhat of a homage to the late, great John Wayne. Similarly, "Australia" tells a story that is so reminiscent of the growing pains of the U.S.A. A really tough story about a decent people who eventually find their way and build a great country.


Drover, Jackman, never shrinks from a fight, just like John Wayne; but unlike "The Duke," which was often the case, he gets the girl in the end: Above.
    While slowly driving a rickety truck along a rutted road in the Australian back country, Drover pronounces to Lady Ashley, "In the end all you own is your story ... I'm just trying to live a good one." This film showcased a great story told by young Nullah, and as a finely crafted film, it was entertaining and did not waist one minute of my time at nearly 3 hours of runtime. The writers of cinema history will determine if this film becomes a classic epic. I am impressed to the extent I give it 3 3/4 stars.

    Released November 26, 2008. Rated PG13.