Breaker Morant
(Wellspring)

Based on a true story, Breaker Morant is a sober tale of three Australian soldiers who fought in South Africa during the Boer War in the early 1900’s as part of the Bushveldt Carbineers, and who were court-martialed for the murder of several prisoners and a clergyman who was leaking information to the enemy. The British military trial was loaded in favor of the prosecution: witnesses present at the events lied, as did senior government officials. The defense lawyer had only one day to prepare and interview his clients and had actually never tried a case of this intricacy before. All things considered, he did a masterful job that would have stood up in an unbiased setting, but the government had decided that these men were to be sacrificed to help bring the war to an end and their fates were sealed. Directed by Bruce Beresford, Morant, his fellow officers and their lawyer are portrayed with depth and complexity, as is the story, that is still gripping and relevant 25 years following its original release.