REVIEWS
TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG
A postmodern look at the life of one of the world’s greatest outlaws
Cert 18 Director Justin Kurzel Cast George MacKay, Essie Davis, Nicholas Hoult Released: Out now
Adaptations of the exploits of Ned Kelly and his gang of outlaws are nothing new. Indeed, the world’s first feature–length film was on this very topic, and since the release of The Story Of The Kelly Gang in 1906 numerous personalities have taken on the role. From Australian football player Bob Chitty to Heath Ledger and even Mick Jagger, all have attempted to bring their unique talents to the infamous bushranger. So now, in 2020, we have another version, True History Of The Kelly Gang, an adaptation of Peter Carey’s 2001 novel of the same name. An obvious attempt to be daring and different, the result is flawed at best.
Unlike previous versions, focuses on telling a character-driven narrative, with an emphasis on Kelly himself, as opposed can at least be remembered as a showcase for their talents.
