PROVOKR PICK: A WILD WESTERN
Australia's True History of the Kelly Gang
True History of the Kelly Gang is, as you might have guessed from the title, at least partly based on a true story. This joint British-Australian western follows famed Australian bushranger (or outlaw), Ned Kelly (George MacKay) and his gang as they try to flee from the authorities in the 1870s. The movie was directed by Justin Kurzel, with a script written by Shaun Grant. It was adapted from Peter Carey’s Booker Prize-winning biographical novel of the same name.
We recently profiled the film’s star, George MacKay, who rose to international fame with his leading role in Sam Mendes’ World War I epic, 1917. MacKay is not the only major talent in this exciting movie. The cast includes heavy hitters Russell Crowe (Gladiator, Les Misérables), Nicholas Hoult (X-Men, Mad Max: Fury Road) and Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy, The Gentlemen), rising star Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit, The King), and of course, beloved Australian actress Essie Davis (The Babadook, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries).
True History of the Kelly Gang had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2019. IFC Films acquired it for US distribution. While it initially was slated for a joint theatrical and VOD release on April 24, 2020, because of the coronavirus, IFC will release it directly to VOD. You can stream it starting on April 24, 2020.
