The Last Outlaw

This is a careful, engaging and dramatically convincing biography of Australia's favourite bushranger, that is, outlaw, Ned Kelly, his defiance of the law, robberies, murders, courage, capture and death by hanging. It is slightly fictionalized and certainly romantic, as is his legend, but the writer has tried to keep close to the facts and probable motivation. The acting is good, with John Jarratt a convincing Ned and Sigrid Thorton as his feisty sister, Kate. The series does justice to the myth of Kelly, the semi-literate robber who could write inspiring dreams of an Irish-Australian republic and face heavily armed police wearing rustic armour made from farm implements. The supporting cast is very fine, the most memorable (and possibly true) line being that of Ned's mother before his execution: "Be sure you die like a Kelly!"

Forget all other reincarnations of Ned Kelly's story, this is the real deal. Matter of fact, truthful with great performances and written by the definitive expert on the subject, Ian Jones. Deserves a lot more credit. Highly recommended.

I found this true gem at my local library last week during a random roam around the shelves. I had never heard of it before ~ I was away that year. Each episode ( there are 4 ) is feature film length, so it covers the story with magnificent detail and great craft. It is the great Australian pastoral of truth and myth, politics and personalities, murder and mayhem. All the seeds of our current crises are here, for all to see, class distinction and factionalism and race relations ~ the English and the Scotch ganging up against the Irish. Cops who are two-faced or easily bribed, or are Irish themselves, but need to suck up to the Crown. The whole ecosystem of White Australia marking out territory of the stolen and colonised land.

John Jarratt is an amazing Ned. His eyes through the iconic armour are captivating. Previous reviewers refer to Mick and Heath ~ well each of those performances had their time and place. Remember the restricting corset of the feature film and the need to edit and make an action adventure or moody muck with a foreign 'star' ~ such were our lives back then ~ last century ! There will be other Neds, like Sherlock Holmes or Hamlet, Mr Kelly is not going to fade away any time soon.

Not only great television but a great history lesson. My particular favourite piece of costume design was the tin of Keen's Mustard Powder bolted on to the right hand side of his outfit ~ I'll have to fact check that.

Found this DVD at local library, could not remember if I watched it when it first came out in 1980, but in 2017 I thoroughly enjoyed it. John Jarrett was excellent in the role of Ned Kelly, along with all the supporting cast as well. It easily beats any cinema release on Kelly, by divulging into why kelly took the actions he did. The Jeliderie letters are composed, Gerard Kennedy makes an appearance in the first episode as Harry Power and Aaron Sherritt is in the series. It's the most realistic version yet of this story. Highly Recommend it.

Watched this as a young fella when it was first released and was instantly fascinated with the story. Certainly gives food for thought as to what can make a man. The making of this series is as fascinating as the story itself. The reconstruction of The Glenrowan Inn was impeccable, and the producers wanted it to burn down in the same fashion as history told, which was achieved. Some of Neds actual weapons were used by John Jarratt during filming, who knows what his thoughts were on this tangible connection. The acting is exceptional, everyone was entirely believable in their role. Love him or hate him, I highly recommend watching this as a close to true telling of the Kelly story.