DVD titles are floating to the top of our Netflix queue. Breaker Morant? my husband queried. The title gives no clues. Some history book referenced it, I shrugged, struggling to recall why *this* movie was in our home. The Boer War! (1901)
The movie is based on a true story; the main character, Breaker Morant, is a folk hero in Australia. Three Australians, members of the Bushveldt Carbineers, are court-martialled by the British for shooting Boer prisoners. They don’t deny the facts but their defense is that they were following orders. Their defense attorney is given one day to prepare his case. This 1979 movie is one to watch and discuss with teenagers. What are the rules in guerilla warfare? What are war crimes? The movie didn’t bring this out, but Kitchener established the first concentration camps during this war.
“The Germans are looking for an excuse to enter the war,
on the Boer side, of course. We don’t want to give them one.
The Germans couldn’t give a damn about the Boers.
It’s the diamonds and gold of South Africa they’re interested in.”
“They lack our altruism, sir.” “Quite.”
Evelyn tells the true story of Desmond Doyle, an unemployed Irish man who lost custody of his children to the government after his wife deserted him. Once his finances improved he wanted his children back. The government tells him to wait until the kids are sixteen. He challenges the law, eventually to the Irish Supreme Court. This is another movie with obvious discussion points: when is it appropriate for the government to intervene in family life? Whose kids? What are parental and paternal rights? Are father’s rights different than mother’s rights? Should they be?
The acting in this film is not top rate, although Sophie Vavasseur plays the role of young Evelyn with perfect pitch. She is not the sacharine cutesy-pie many eight year old girl’s roles become. A few scenes are written, paced and played with excellence. The kindest thing to say about Pierce Brosnan’s singing voice is nothing. Woe! Whoa.
The cinematography is lovely, but hey, it’s Ireland! How could it be other than lovely? The historical aspect of the story kept our attention more than anything else. Language is an issue in this PG movie. One favorite Irish exclamation is “Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” often abbreviated. It has more grit than a Hallmark film, but will have you cheering at the end.
A Living Pencil 
Yes, I’ve heard of Breaker Morant and really enjoyed it when I saw it way back when. I agree that it’s a good one to watch for exploring moral dilemmas. Even today with the military courts addressing crimes against terrorists and the like, it seems like Breaker Morant could be timely.
Loved Evelyn and thanks for the discussion questions. We’ll have to put this back in the queue. Pierce sang better in Evelyn than in Mama Mia! Thanks for the other recommendations, too! I’m off to update the queue.
Hah! Pierce singing in Mamma Mia. That was really funny. He gave it the ol’ college try. That’s gotta be worth something! :)Your Irish quote reminded me of the night – Christmas Eve 2004 – I was leading worship at church at the 10.30 service – directing the choir, playing organ and piano, singing two solos – you know, standard issue. 🙂 I wasn’t due until the 27th and it had never occurred to me that I might go early.. even 2 days. First pregnancy. Anyway, just before the service started, my water broke. Scott and I walked into the sacristy to tell our pastor that all was well, I was able to stay because I wasn’t having contractions, but if suddenly he looked up and I wasn’t there, not to worry – I was on my way to the hospital. 🙂 So, we walked in, and I calmly said, ‘well, my water broke..’ and one of the servers said at the top of her lungs “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!’ which, on Christmas Eve, struck me as one of the funnier, yet totally appropriate, exclamations. :)FYI, I stayed, finished the service, and Aderyn was born at 10.30 Christmas morning. After a fashion, though, I had to finish the service at the piano – switching instruments was making a mess on the floor. 😉
I remember both of those films from a couple of years ago. Those were the days I could stay awake for the whole thing!
Carol, I can’t wait to recount this story to you – IN PERSON – to add all the flair of detail. It’s a keeper. :)
@wonderloveandpraise – Steph, this is a grrrreat story on many levels. “Standard Issue” =D “After a fashion” =D)) And water breaking immediately before Christmas Eve service is the most appropriate time I can imagine to say “Jesus, Mary and Joseph!”Oh, Stephie girl, you take the cake.
@wonderloveandpraise – I can’t wait to hear it…IN PERSON!
Carol, we will keep our eyes open for the movie, i.e haven’t seen it yet (dh knows the history) – will keep you posted. Another q: I want to invest in an i-pod / mp3 player?? for downloading audiobooks – what will you recommend?
@sonskyn – Sonja, I have to admit that I have two: an ipod that was a gift and a Sansa that I bought because the book program I use the most doesn’t work with ipod. The Sansa SanDisk has 4.0 gigabytes and holds several books. The Ipod is great (80 GB) and even holds movies, but I can never imagine myself watching a movie on that little screen. My sense (ignorant and mostly uninformed) is that the graphics are what require so much space. If your main purpose is to listen to books, I don’t think you would require the big guns. I’ve downloaded Tolstoy’s War and Peace and I’m thinking about listening to it on my daily walks throughout the summer. I think it is 38 hours of listening.The movie is older…made in 1979. It may not interest you or your husband, but I know you would have a more informed view on the history.
dankie Carol (thank you!) – i’ll inform dh (it’s my birthday next month i agree with you re watching movies on ipod screen – no-no).. geniet jou dag (enjoy your day)
You are welcome! geniet jou dag to you too!