Topic > Ned Kelly Documentary Review

This last of the Australians knows Ned Kelly. Ned Kelly, the outlaw who wore extraordinary armor, led a ferocious band of bushrangers and defied the law and its guardians. This documentary will examine the man behind the mask. For some he is nothing more than a notorious criminal who has unforgivably chosen to take up arms against society. To others, Ned is a national hero, an icon of the Australian imagination and the embodiment of the Australian spirit. Sinner or saint, his story deserves to be told. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The documentary will begin with an overview of the Australian bush accompanied by natural sounds. This will establish the setting and atmosphere. After the camera scans the area, it will chase a boy who is swept away from the banks of a stream. The screen will go black and the sound of running footsteps will play. The camera will now be focused on the running person's legs. It will shrink to reveal a young Ned Kelly trying to run away from something. He will stop to catch his breath when he notices the boy drowning in the stream. Ned will then heroically dive in and save the drowning boy. Back on the banks, the boy will reward Ned with a green sash. This dramatization shows the audience that even though Ned was a bit of a troublemaker in his early years, he was also very understanding and compassionate. The dramatization continues with the camera slowly zooming in on the sash as Ned ties it to his person. Using editing, the strip becomes tainted as it begins to shrink, revealing Ned Kelly, now in his late teens, standing in a darkened courtroom. The darkness creates an eerie atmosphere, somewhere Ned doesn't want to be. The judge will declare the crimes Ned has committed, and Ned will respond, "My father is dead, so I must support my family, and I will." The judge will give Ned six months of hard labor and start laughing as the screen goes black. The conclusion of the dramatization informs the audience that Ned was both the family man and the family man. His determination and compassion are shown in his words. The judges' laughter symbolizes Ned's inferiority. The goal of this documentary is to shift the focus away from Ned as a criminal and bring to light his identity and true passion as an Australian. A mixed documentary combining narrative, cinema-verité, dramatizations and interviews with Ned's mother and officers of the law will be used to recognize this man on his journey for justice and freedom. Family photos will now be presented to viewers, as Ned's mother, through interview, describes the Kelly family's home life. It will explain Ned's emotions and actions towards moving to Eleven Mile Creek, the death of his father, poverty, the law and its agents. This interview reveals Ned's courage, bravery and, once again, compassion in difficult times. The interview also shows his distrust and antipathy towards the authorities. Ned's mother describes him as "a pure-hearted man who did what he had to do to survive in this harsh and unforgiving world." As the screen fades to black, the judge's voice is heard: "Again?" The setting is now back in the dark courtroom. A low angle shot is used to emphasize the inferiority of a slightly older Ned to the judge located in an elevated position. The judge once again affirms Ned's crimes. Ned replies, "Last time I was supporting my family. This time I'm innocent." The judge will give Ned three years."