MovieChat Forums > 'Breaker' Morant (1980) Discussion > comic relief (corporal sharp)

comic relief (corporal sharp)

posted 19 years ago by Sun_Dragon
14 replies | jump to latest

when i first watched "breaker morant" i laughed so hard during the testimony of corporal sharp that it brought tears to my eyes. i didnt expect soemthing like that in such a dark, dramatic movie which makes it even more effective. chris haywood did a brilliant job and is perfectly cast as a complete idiot. but he can play "clever" as well, just watch "muriel's wedding"! anyway, its one of the funniest scenes ever and i think corporal sharp needs his own show. and more screentime on a re-release, please!!

[–] Bitter_Almonds 19 years ago

"Why don't you come on over back and I'll knock yer bloody 'ead off!" - Hancock yelling at prosecution witness.

Bryan Brown had some great lines. Woodward was the best, though. Saw him on Wicker Man and The Equalizer, and immediately knew this would be a good performance. In fact, it is probably one of the best on-screen performances I've seen in any war film and trial movie.

Do The Mussolini! Headkick!

[–] Sun_Dragon 19 years ago

i agree, he is the perfect mixture of all the conflicting qualities of breaker morant. in the end, when he meets major thomas for the last times he says "thank you" and it broke my friggin heart. but the worst was when captain taylor offers him a horse to escape to "see the world". he replies "i have seen it." there is a whole life with all ups and downs in this short sentence and its one of the best scenes i have ever seen. woodward pulls it off with dignity, grace, pride, grief, humanity and honesty.
i cant imagine anybody else in all the roles. a truly flawless movie, one of my alltime favourites.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Sun_Dragon 19 years ago

yep. he was david van arkle's trainer. we need more actors like him!

[–] olbarncats 19 years ago

Corporal Sharp was a hoot! But does anyone remember the naughty limerick that Peter Handcock recited while sharing a drink with his buddies just before the trial's end? That was such a sad and funny scene.

[–] Sun_Dragon 19 years ago

it is a great scene! from the overjoyed, wild partying (i love the toast!) to this blunt private talk between morant and taylor: "...go and see the world." "i have seen it." woodward pulled it off brilliantly, with dignity, sincerety and humanity. it just breaks your heart.
the whole movie is flawlessly cast and acted.

[–] annalei_83 19 years ago

there was one flaw. The guy who played captain hunt sounds Australian but he is actually supposed to be English just the actor Simon something couldnt do the accent. Thanks for the tips guys i have to practice some essays for my upcoming exam on Morant!

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] kjd03842 19 years ago

I have wondered about the veracity of that line, in fact I think I posted about it a while back.
What would the source for it be? It is a great part of the movie, and helps define Morant's character, but methinks it is poetic license.

In either case, I'm with you, SunDragon, it is one of my all time favorites. However, nobody I have either viewed it with or loaned it to, seems to like it. Most loaners tell me they never finished it! I guess you need Tom Thetan or Demi Boobs for a good courtroom drama.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Rabble_Rouser 19 years ago

RIGHT. I've had just about ENOUGH of your Bushveldt carbineer bashing... Is this film a bloody comedy? NO... It's a PRECIOUS HISTORICAL DOCUMENT.

My great uncle Baz was SLAUGHTERED one fateful morning out on the veldt by a bunch of riff raff Boer's... Shot right through the tents they did. Do you think they thought that was a "funny scene"? AY?!?

[–] DBloodnok 18 years ago

There are some great comic moments in the movie; I love the exchange between Handcock and the president of the court, Lt Col Denny, following the testimony of Sgt Maj Drummond

Handcock: You couldn't lie straight in bed, Drummond.
Drummond: I don't have to take that from you.
Handcock: Come outside then and I'll knock your bloody block off. (Lt Col Denny bangs his gavel)
Denny: Control yourself, Mr Handcock, or you'll find yourself in serious trouble. (Handcock *beep* You find something amusing?
Handcock: Yeah, just wondering how much more serious things could get. (to Drummond) Any time, mate!

(EDIT - serious problem with the crap censorship program IMDB uses; it has censored out my use of this word:

s*n*i*g*g*e*r*s

That is pathetic.)

"Someone has been tampering with Hank's memories."

[–] daybeausweeper 11 years ago

DB, I realize I am coming late to the party, but "snickers" could probably serve as an acceptable substitute. Nevertheless, it is rather lame that your first word choice was given the axe.

[–] rwsmith29456 15 years ago

Yeah, he REALLY acted low on the intelligence totum pole. Army stereotype. Not bright but if he does what he's told he will make it through.