An innocent man becomes one of the most wanted criminals the world has ever known. Ned Kelly is a movie that could have achieved way more especially with a cast like that Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, Naomi Watts and Joel Edgerton, unfortunately the movie suffers from a thin script and uninteresting characters that even when they die you simply just don't care and just like Rotten Tomatoes said there isn't a lot of depth in these characters not even Heath Ledger's performance isn't worth it, a rent would be fine for sure but just about it and overall my final score is a solid 5/10 it's not as bad as other types of this genre but it's definitely not a great film also.

In 1871 Australia, heroic young Heath Ledger (as Ned Kelly) is sent to prison for horse-thievery. After serving three years, Mr. Ledger returns to the warm bosom of his close-knit Irish Catholic family. He and playboy best friend Orlando Bloom (as Joe Byrne) range, drink, and fight with their friends. When a policeman tries to pick up his sister in a bar, Ledger's anger is aroused. Alas, the Australian police force is loyal to the crown, not the peasants; and, Ledger is tired of being harshly punished by the "bloody maggots." With Mr. Bloom, brother Laurence Kinlan (as Dan Kelly), and mysterious Philip Barantini (as Steve Hart), Ledger forms "The Kelly Gang" of bank-robbers. Despite being outlaws, the handsome quartet become quite popular with the locals. But, killing policemen could shorten the lads' lives considerably… Director Gregor Jordan and photographer Oliver Stapleton handle the beautiful Australia setting.For this nicely-produced revision, the legendary "Ned Kelly" receives assistance from writer John Michael McDonagh's adaptation of Robert Drewe's "Our Sunshine" (1991) biography. This story opens with approximately eleven-year-old "Ned" saving another boy from drowning; and, it is this "Rosebud" moment which shapes our hero's life. This makes for very effective storytelling, but all is not well. Romantic interest Naomi Watts (as Julia Cook) is very beautiful, but we do not see enough of her and, frankly, her role in the outlaw's life seems hopelessly contrived. Conversely, the character played by Mr. Barantini is too ill-defined. Getting the green and gold sash, Geoffrey Rush (as Frances Hare) serves brief but more assessable adversarial role. Also, keep an eye on Joel Edgerton (as Aaron Sherritt) for outstanding support.****** Ned Kelly (3/22/03) Gregor Jordan ~ Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom, Joel Edgerton, Naomi Watts

I thought that this film was very well made, Heath Leger was very convincing and his Irish accent was flawless. Orlando Bloom and Naomi Watts were also really good and believable. How true it is to what really happened I have no idea, but it did portray why people sometimes become what they do. Maybe those in authority have always been corrupt and I did find it interesting that over 30,000 signed a petition for Ned Kelly NOT to be hanged, so maybe there was more truth in this film than at first thought? In many ways it reminded me of Cold Mountain which was another good historical film. All in all I would highly recommend this film and I am somewhat baffled why it didn't do better in the cinemas.

I guess I was attracted to this film both because of the sound of the story and the leading actor, so I gave it a chance, from director Gregor Jordan (Buffalo Soldiers). Basically Ned Kelly (Heath Ledger) is set up by the police, especially Superintendent Francis Hare (Geoffrey Rush), he is forced to go on the run forming a gang and go against them to clear his own and his family's names. That's really all I can say about the story, as I wasn't paying the fullest attention to be honest. Also starring Orlando Bloom as Joseph Byrne, Naomi Watts as Julia Cook, Laurence Kinlan as Dan Kelly, Philip Barantini as Steve Hart, Joel Edgerton as Aaron Sherritt, Kiri Paramore as Constable Fitzpatrick, Kerry Condon as Kate Kelly, Emily Browning as Grace Kelly and Rachel Griffiths as Susan Scott. Ledger makes a pretty good performance, for what it's worth, and the film does have its eye-catching moments, particularly with a gun battle towards the end, but I can't say I enjoyed it as I didn't look at it all. Okay!