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Poster for Australia

Australia

Seen it?

2008 | 165 min | Adventure, Romance, History

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It drew serious awards attention, though it had middling reviews (53% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics, adventure fans and history buffs. If you loved Lawrence of Arabia or Atonement, start here.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Epic and sweeping, at 2 hr 45 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13: peril. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • It's long: 2 hr 45 min.

Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces firsthand.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    53% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.6 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Nominated for 1 Oscar and 1 Critics' Choice Award.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $212 million worldwide on a $130 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 203K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

  • Nicole KidmanLady Sarah Ashley
  • Hugh JackmanThe Drover
  • Essie DavisKatherine
  • David WenhamNeil Fletcher
  • Bryan BrownKing Carney
  • David GulpililKing George
  • John JarrattSergeant
  • Shea AdamsCarney Boy
  • Nathin Art ButlerCarney Boy
  • John WaltonCarney Boy