MovieChat Forums > 'Breaker' Morant (1980) Discussion > A dignified ending?

A dignified ending?

posted 20 years ago by kjd03842
5 replies | jump to latest

I wonder if Morant's dignity at the end was true to life, though it does make for a great closing to the movie. I'm referring to the offer of help in escaping; Breaker opts not to attempt it, saying, "I've seen the world." His fate has been chosen for him, and he accepts it. It fits his film character, but I question the historical accuracy of the offer; where would such info come from? I suppose it is just good theater.
His closing line also made for great theater, but was it true?

Doesn't really matter, it is still a great movie, definitely in my personal top five. The best movie nobody's ever seen!

[–] Bitter_Almonds 20 years ago

I think most of it comes from the play rather than actual dialogues. You're right, it made for some good theatre. It could be seen as happening. I've thought about that ending every so often. Escaping would only make him look more guilty in the eyes of everyone, including that of his comrades in jail. Could you imagine if, fictionally, he had escaped and left his friend, Hancock, there to be executed by himself? It's the same way as a captain sinking with the ship. He was leader, he took responsibility for everything and everyone that was under his regiment, he stuck to the truth until the bitter end, and one could not ask for a better comrade in arms as him.

Do The Mussolini! Headkick!

[–] lukeinkorea 20 years ago

Morant's final line is true. It's quite famous in Australia. The most recent book on Morant published in Australia had the same title if you want to learn more ('Shoot Straight You Bastards' by Nick Bleszynski).

[–] rwsmith29456 14 years ago

I think what he meant when he said "I've seen it" is really "I've seen it and I don't like it and I'd just as soon be quit of it."

[–] Citizenright1 14 years ago

What he meant by saying, "I've seen it." is that he wasn't taking Capt Taylor up on his offer to help him escape.

I liked that touch at the end. Taylor provided the information for the courtmartial, then testified in favor of them, then offered Harry a chance to escape.

[–] The_Breaker 14 years ago

Taylor was part of the chain of command which passed on the 'no prisoners' order. In return for Morant and his men not raising this during the prisoner-shooting trial he agreed to testify in their defence during the missionary trial... the expectation was that even if they were found guilty of shooting prisoners they would be found innocent of killing the missionary as a result of Taylor providing them with an alibi. The missionary killing was considered the charge which would most likely result in the death penalty - it didn't quite happen that way.

Whether Taylor offered Morant a horse in the hopes he'd disappear or be shot while trying to escape might have been an attempt to ensure he didn't go back on his word and tell the truth about Taylor's involvement, however I think that scene was a bit of poetic licence as I don't recall coming across it in my research on the subject.

B