IMDb > Australia (2008)
Australia
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Australia (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 86 | slideshow) Videos (see all 26 NEW)
Australia (2008) -- Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot
Australia (2008) -- MyMovies.Net - Clip - A good job for you
Australia (2008) -- Australia: Shooting Locations Featurette
Australia (2008) -- This is the first trailer for Baz Luhrmann's Australia, starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman.
Australia (2008) -- A love story set in WWII era Australia

Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   31,307 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 66% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Baz Luhrmann
Writers:
Stuart Beattie (screenplay) and
Baz Luhrmann (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Australia on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 November 2008 (USA) more
Plot:
Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 6 wins & 17 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(60 articles)
Foreign Box Office Booming
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 9 July 2009, 1:17 PM, PDT)

Jackman Torn About How To Respond To Gay Rumours
 (From WENN. 22 April 2009, 2:55 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Luhrmann's Grand Epic That Is Australia more (363 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Untitled Baz Luhrmann Project (Australia) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language.
Runtime:
165 min
Country:
Australia | USA
Language:
English | Aboriginal
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
WILHELM SCREAM: heard during the bombing of Darwin when a towns-person goes flying. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the scene where Sarah and Nullah first meet in the house, Nullah's shell necklace disappears and reappears from shot to shot. more
Quotes:
Nullah: Let's get them no good cheeky bull in the big bloody metal ship! more
Soundtrack:
Begin the Beguine more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "Australia" based on a book?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more
21 out of 27 people found the following comment useful.
Luhrmann's Grand Epic That Is Australia, 9 March 2009
Author: Senyales from Fraggle Rock

I have been looking forward to 'Australia' for a long time. Though the experience from 'Australia' isn't as magical as Baz Luhrmann's spectacular 'Moulin Rouge' nor is it as well executed (on the technical side), but I still found it very enjoyable. 'Australia' works on multiple levels. The film is a mixture of adventure, action, romance and detailed history (like in any larger than life epic movie). All of them are put well together in the film. Luhrmann's vast imagination and creativity is very evident in his portrayal of the aboriginal culture and how that's where the heart of Australia lies. To move the story further, Luhrman shows the conflict of the aboriginals with the Europeans and its chaotic result. The film introduces plenty of historical themes and serves as a thumbnail. Yet, Luhrmann does not shy away from experimenting with the magical side of his film. The main story itself is very formulaic but enjoy it like you would see a Hollywood blockbuster and roll along.

The Australian landscape is dazzling to look at. It's a country that has always fascinated me and arises my desire to go there and such movies only remind me of that feeling. Mandy Walker's cinematography is fantastic allowing landscape itself to serve as a key character (for obvious reasons). The lighting could have used some betterment, especially in the action scenes where they used blue screen filter (it was painfully obvious). I also felt that the CGI was overused and at times it does interfere with the natural beauty in the background. The soundtrack is awesome as its a mixture of spiritual beats and old classics.

At the centre of 'Australia' is an Aboriginal child of mixed race, Nullah, who is played by a likable Brandon Walters. Even though Walters doesn't exactly get it 'right' with scenes that demanded him to display complex emotions, he does very well with the comic scenes and does not go over the top by 'being cute'. A vivacious Nicole Kidman is absolutely marvelous as the strong-minded Sarah Ashley. She displays her knack for comedy, is superbly restrained in the emotional sequences and shares a wonderful chemistry with her co-stars. Hugh Jackman's Drover may have been inspired by Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones, Paul Hogan's Crocodile Dundee and the dozens of famous Clint Eastwood characters. Jackman pulls off the part quite naturally. He and Kidman are magic on screen. The supporting cast is commendable. I liked the actors who play the colourful characters at Ashley's ranch. Jack Thompson provides some brilliant comic relief. Bryan Brown has a strong presence in a limited role and David Wenham is menacing as the evil Fletcher.

Luhrmann's attempt to entertain and amuse the viewer seems genuine and the man has done a lot of research and enlightens the viewer of Australia history. Forget these 'Titanics' and 'Pearl Harbours'. 'Australia' reminds us of the time when people enjoyed grand movies such as 'Gone With The Wind' and 'The Wizard Of Oz'. Through the numerous references, this movie pays tribute to many of the classics that have made a place in the history of cinema. Yet, this enchanting movie stands on its own.

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Armpit Hair? LawDawg95
Stolen Generation femme_fatale87
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I thought the kid was precious.... sabar-1
Did King George have anything better to do? ja227
This movie really gets to me... sleeperbloke
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