Overview
A gripping courtroom drama that exposes the harsh realities of war and justice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- austere
- tense
- harrowing
- historical film night
- serious viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful, beautifully made antiwar courtroom drama distinguished by its moral complexity, writing, and performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The court martial is shaped by the General Staff's desire to distance itself from irregular wartime practices by making three officers bear responsibility.
The trial and recollected battlefield conduct foreground the evils and intrigues of war instead of celebrating military triumph.
The court martial functions as the present frame while testimony and evidence revisit the shootings and military orders at issue.
Australian officers are tried by British military authorities in South Africa during the Boer War, making jurisdiction and imperial hierarchy central.
Films like Breaker Morant, and why
A Few Good Men
historical courtroom drama confronting military authority, moral responsibility, and institutional scapegoating
Paths of Glory
antiwar historical drama centered on soldiers navigating compromised military command and political expediency
The Killing Fields
true-events courtroom drama exposing state power, colonial violence, and contested justice
Judgment at Nuremberg
measured war drama pairing battlefield ethics with a forceful legal and political critique
Movie Details
- Director
- Bruce Beresford
- Release Date
- 1980-06-11
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (163)
Cast
- Edward Woodward
- Jack Thompson
- John Waters
- Bryan Brown
- Charles Tingwell
- Terence Donovan
- Vincent Ball
- Ray Meagher
- Chris Haywood
- Russell Kiefel
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Breaker Morant about?
- A devastating court-martial drama in which three Australian officers become expendable symbols of imperial wartime misconduct.
- What is Breaker Morant like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Breaker Morant as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Breaker Morant violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Breaker Morant as moderate.
- What did critics think of Breaker Morant?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful, beautifully made antiwar courtroom drama distinguished by its moral complexity, writing, and performances.
- Which films are like Breaker Morant?
- Films with a similar feel include A Few Good Men, Paths of Glory, The Killing Fields, and Judgment at Nuremberg.
- How long is Breaker Morant?
- Breaker Morant runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Breaker Morant?
- In United States, Breaker Morant streams on Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
