justmevictoria
Ben Hall is definitely an under-appreciated Bushranger (if you can say that about Bushrangers), and this film really highlights that. The team have gone above and beyond to make this as histroixally accurate as possible and it's a true testament to the Aussie film industry. They've really upped the level on which Australian history is presented in film.
philandlyn
Despite being a 'Kelly' man - Ben Hall's story had escaped me. I even missed the earlier ABC tv effort (yes, I was living under a rock!). On the advice from a cinematographer mate who actually worked on the production - I sat down knowing it was going to be lengthy. The story telling was sublimed...I was engrossed after just 15 minutes in. I now stand educated in all things 'Ben Hall'. Not only educated, but entertained, enthralled and fascinated. But most of all, I stand enriched - that a bunch of passionate film-makers have made such a epic film about an epic tale.
Michael Ledo
This production is based on the true story of Ben Hall the infamous and legendary Australian bushranger. Unfortunately we don't see much of his exciting life, just the last 9 months. Sort of like watching "The Legend of Butch and Sundance" with the film starting in Bolivia but not as short as Monty Python's "Death of Mary, Queen of Scots." The film could have just as easily been titled, "The Death of Ben Hall" as it failed to show us why the man was legendary, just why he was dead.The Ben Hall (Jack Martin) in this film is dull and lifeless. He is melancholy about being separated from his son. Personalty is reserved exclusively for John Gilbert (Jamie Coffa) a flamboyant outlaw. Like so many low budget films the high budget past was "as read." It has all the components of an outlaw western, but knowing what they left out made the film a disappointment.Guide" F-word. Implied sex. Very brief nudity.
garycbelleville
As I am beginning to type my thoughts I know that I might upset some people. So I ask that you forgive my lack of knowledge on this matter. To begin I admit this movie was great. The scenery was amazing, awesome sights. The music I found went very well with the action and the emotions being portrayed. I enjoyed every moment. The only nag I had was Exactly what made this man a legend. This is my second movie of an Aussie Outlaw the first being The story of Ned Kelly Both were extremely well made and the scenes again very beautiful. But in this one I fail to see the grandeur of his how to say outlawness if that is a word. I know the movie doesn't show every robbery that he has done but is also failed to show us exploits that were done to earn him a title such as Legend. There is at one point were one of the men in the posse set out to catch his asks the others if they had ever dealt with Ben before and one man says yes and then another tells a story that you really can't tell if it was true or not but yet again the stories were ordinary stories nothing seemed exaggerated where as when men talk about a legend they always tend to make the story larger than life its self. After all isn't it part of being a legend to have people exaggerate your exploits. To me the only thing that seemed to be exaggerated is the title. The Legend of Ben Hall. OK you can throw your rocks at me know. But I did really much like the movie. as one review stated ,it gave a good glimpse into how life was back in those days and how far ones neighbours are in times of need. I personally love these type of Aussie movies.
AD
