2016's Assassin's Creed was a rare misfire for Justin Kurzel, one of the true punks of modern genre cinema, which is unfortunate considering the brutality of 2011's Snowtown and the blazing reinterpretation of 2015's Macbeth. So it's exciting to see him back on form with True History of the Kelly Gang, a fiery reframing of the life of the outlaw Ned Kelly. This isn't the first film to tackle this story, with Kelly having been played by everyone from Heath Ledger to Mick Jagger, but it's certainly the most striking. Kurzel's take on Kelly is entirely from his perspective, following his life in three crucial stages. It also completely tears up the rulebook, telling Kelly's story the way he probably would have done so, a fitting move considering how vital the idea of making your own legacy is to the story
True History of the Kelly Gang is pure punk poetry, revelling in the anarchic bliss of Kelly's antics and finding haunting beauty amid the chaos. It's a hardcore film, with jolts of unrelenting violence and disarming moments of black comedy peppered throughout the film. These stylistic choices bring their own kind of brilliance, with bombastic punk music and blinding strobe lighting amplifying the soul searing fire at the heart of the story. This is cinema of the elements, drawing its bite from the stark natural imagery to propulsive effect, and the result is Werner Herzog by way of Pete Shelley, both anarchic and awe-inspiring on its journey through the inferno. True, this particular blend won't be to everyone's taste, but the fusion of arthouse and genre sensibilities is undeniably hypnotising, with Kurzel using that stinging bite to cut through to something pure and powerful. Throughout the film, Kurzel is musing on the act of telling history, using the Kelly story to meditate on the extent to which we get to choose how the world remembers us. What gives this film so much strength is that it doesn't feel like it's being told in retrospect; less of a chronicle of the past and more the story of a life told by the person living it.
The bloody, brutal brilliance is propelled by George McKay's beguiling turn as Kelly: unflinching, intense and physical, but with a deep lying vulnerability that makes his gradual destruction that much more tragic. McKay transforms the punk poetry into flesh, blood and muscle, supercharging every side of Kelly with pure electricity. His Kelly is an outlaw and a storyteller, a killer and a poet, and it's McKay's refusal to play the role in any one way that gives it so much blistering brilliance. This mesmeric lead performance is bolstered by a stunning supporting cast. Russell Crowe spits salty verse with a surprising sense of humour, while Nicolas Hoult is disarmingly brilliant as a leering constable, but it's Essie Davis who stands out as Kelly's mother, all fire and ferocity with a deep reservoir of love at the centre. Special mention also to first timer Orlando Schwerdt as young Ned Kelly, who smashes youthful naivety and blistering bravado together with unnerving ease
Kurzel's film is an act of cinematic alchemy, a fusion of elements from all across the spectrum that finds harmony in chaos. It brings together colonial horror, eloquent punk, haunting natural beauty and grindhouse pulp to make something truly special. This is Kurzel cementing himself as one of modern cinema's craftiest madmen, bringing together so many things that shouldn't work, yet absolutely do. It's as provoking as it is highly entertaining; a shocking take on the Ned Kelly story that rewrites the rules and delivers something that feels truly singular. It's familiar pop culture building blocks stacked in a way that feels fresh, pure punk bliss that reminds us that history always matters, even when the way it's told is as radical and irresponsible as this. It's also just a wildly fun time, revelling in the excitement of the Kelly gang's exploits without ever glamorising them. True History of the Kelly Gang is white hot brilliance, an undoubtedly niche but highly enjoyable treat that rings with the unmistakable tone of both poetry and entertainment
★ ★ ★ ★
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