Welcome to Australia!|Nov. 18, 2008|Australia|165 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Adventure;Drama;Romance
Description: In 1939, just weeks before World War II began, Lady Sarah Ashley from England journeys to Australia to convince her unfaithful husband to sell their struggling cattle ranch, Faraway Downs. The vast property spans Western Australia and the Northern Territory, extending north to the Timor Sea. Her husband arranges for a rugged cattle drover, known simply as “The Drover,” to escort her to the ranch. Upon her arrival, Lady Sarah discovers her husband has been murdered. Authorities accuse an Aboriginal elder named “King George” of the crime. Unbeknownst to her, the ranch manager, Neil Fletcher, is conspiring to seize control of Faraway Downs and sell it to a powerful meat tycoon, Lesley “King” Carney, aiming to establish a complete cattle monopoly. Meanwhile, in Darwin, Australian Army Captain Dutton is negotiating beef prices with Carney on behalf of the Allied forces.
Lady Sarah, who is childless, becomes deeply attached to a young boy named Nullah, who has an Aboriginal mother and a white father. Nullah, who has been secretly observing Fletcher, reveals his deceitful plans to Lady Sarah. She promptly dismisses Fletcher and takes charge of the ranch with the help of her remaining staff. Soon after, authorities arrive to take Nullah to Mission Island, where other mixed-race Aboriginal children are sent. During their escape, Nullah’s mother drowns while hiding with him in a water tower. Lady Sarah comforts Nullah by singing “Over the Rainbow.” Nullah confides in her that “King George” is his grandfather and, much like the Wizard of Oz, he is a “magic man.” Determined, Lady Sarah convinces the Drover to help transport their cattle to Darwin for sale. He assembles a team of seven riders, including his Aboriginal brother-in-law Magarri, Goolaj, Nullah, Lady Sarah, Bandy, and the ranch’s accountant Kipling Flynn, to drive the 1,500 cattle to Darwin.
Cast director: Baz Luhrmann
Cast actor: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Essie Davis, David Wenham, Bryan Brown, David Gulpilil, John Jarratt, Shea Adams, Nathin Butler, John Walton
Original name: Australia