Watch Australia
- PG-13
- 2008
- 2 hr 45 min
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6.6 (130,992)
Australia is a visually stunning film directed by Baz Luhrmann that tells the tale of Lady Sarah Ashley, a wealthy Englishwoman (played by Nicole Kidman) who travels to the remote Northern Territory of Australia in the late 1930s to sell a cattle property. There she meets an ambitious and rugged cattle drover named Drover (played by Hugh Jackman) and a young aboriginal boy named Nullah (played by Shea Adams), who becomes a central figure in the story.
The film begins with Lady Ashley arriving in Darwin, a bustling city that serves as a gateway to the vast expanse of the Australian Outback. She soon realizes that her husband has been cheating on her and is on the verge of selling the property. Determined to save the property, she hires Drover to transport her and the cattle across the rugged terrain to the property. Along the way, they develop an intense but ultimately platonic relationship as they face numerous challenges, including the brutal heat, a hostile rival cattle baron, and the coming of World War II.
The film is full of visually stunning scenes that showcase the beauty of the Australian landscape. From the broad, sweeping shots of the cattle being herded across vast expanses of land to the stunning sunsets over the Outback, Luhrmann's film is a breathtaking visual treat. Kidman and Jackman deliver strong performances that anchor the film, and young Shea Adams is a standout as Nullah, who serves as a bridge between the white settlers and the indigenous aboriginal people.
One of the film's central themes is the complex relationship between the white settlers and the aboriginal people of Australia. Through Nullah's eyes, we see the impact that colonization has had on the aboriginal people, as well as the ways in which they have managed to maintain their identity and culture in the face of oppression. Nullah becomes a symbol of hope and reconciliation as the film draws to a close.
Another central theme of the film is the idea of national identity, particularly in the face of war. As the threat of Japanese invasion looms over the Outback, Lady Ashley and Drover find themselves leading a ragtag group of cattle drovers and aboriginal people in a makeshift army designed to keep the Japanese at bay. The film uses this conflict as a way to explore what it means to be Australian, and what values and beliefs are worth fighting for.
At its heart, Australia is a sweeping epic that blends elements of romance, adventure, and history into a sprawling and unforgettable film. From its stunning visuals to its strong performances, it is a film that captures the beauty, complexity, and depth of Australian culture and identity. Whether you are a fan of epic dramas or simply appreciate a good story, Australia is a film that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Australia is a 2008 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 53.