True History of the Kelly Gang (film)

True History of the Kelly Gang
Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	2019
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Bushranger film

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article True History of the Kelly Gang (film), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 2025

True History of the Kelly Gang is a 2019 bushranger film directed by Justin Kurzel, with a screenplay by Shaun Grant, adapted from Peter Carey's 2000 novel. The movie presents a dramatized portrayal of the infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly, featuring performances by George MacKay, Essie Davis, Nicholas Hoult, Charlie Hunnam, and Russell Crowe.

The film made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on 11 September 2019 and was subsequently released in Australia on Australia Day 2020 through Transmission Films and the streaming service Stan. In the United Kingdom, it was distributed by Picturehouse Entertainment starting 28 February 2020, followed by a U.S. release from IFC Films on 24 April 2020.

Plot

Drawing from Carey's novel, the narrative follows Ned Kelly’s journey as a bushranger evading law enforcement in late 19th-century Australia.

Ned’s father, John "Red" Kelly (portrayed by Gentle Ben Corbett), an Irish convict who settled in Victoria, is incarcerated during Ned's early years and eventually passes away. Young Ned (played by Orlando Schwerdt) exhibits bravery and kindness but endures family struggles after his mother Ellen (Essie Davis) supports her children through illegal activities and complex relationships, including one with bushranger Harry Power (Russell Crowe). Power becomes Ned’s mentor in bushranging skills. Influenced by Power, Ned wounds Sergeant O'Neill (Charlie Hunnam) but spares his life, resulting in a three-year prison sentence.

After serving his term, Ned (now George MacKay) returns home, falls for Mary (Thomasin McKenzie), and turns to outlawry following an incident where he shoots Constable Fitzpatrick (Nicholas Hoult), who had threatened his family. Warrants are issued for Ned and his brother Dan.

Ned and Dan take refuge in the Victorian hills, joined by allies Steve Hart and Joe Byrne, forming the Kelly Gang with Ned as their leader. They perceive themselves as oppressed Irish descendants resisting English colonial authority. To force Ned’s surrender, authorities arrest his mother. Ned kills Fitzpatrick; in response, police deploy officers to apprehend the gang.

At Stringybark Creek, the gang ambushes police officers, killing three constables. Later, at Glenrowan, they hold hostages and craft iron suits for protection during an attempted train ambush designed to stop police reinforcements. The plan collapses when a hostage betrays them. Surrounded by law enforcement, a fierce gunfight breaks out; Ned sustains severe injuries while other gang members are killed.

Convicted of murder, twenty-five-year-old Ned Kelly is executed by hanging at Old Melbourne Gaol following a final visit from his mother who urges him to "die like a Kelly."

Cast

George MacKay as Ned Kelly
- Orlando Schwerdt as young Ned Kelly
Russell Crowe as Harry Power
Nicholas Hoult as Constable Fitzpatrick
Essie Davis as Ellen Kelly
Sean Keenan as Joe Byrne
Jacob Collins-Levy as Thomas Curnow
Thomasin McKenzie as Mary Hearn
Charlie Hunnam as Sergeant O'Neill
Claudia Karvan as Ms. Shelton
Marlon Williams as George King
Gentle Ben Corbett as Red Kelly
Earl Cave as Dan Kelly
Louis Hewison as Steve Hart
Anni Finsterer as Mrs Gill

Production

Director Justin Kurzel initiated the film's development in December 2016, coinciding with the promotional period for Assassin's Creed. The project was publicly confirmed in November 2017, with George MacKay cast in the lead role as Ned Kelly, supported by Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult, and Essie Davis. Although filming was originally scheduled to begin in March 2018 in Victoria, Australia, it was delayed until July. Principal photography officially started on 22 July 2018. In September of that year, it was announced that Charlie Hunnam had joined the ensemble cast.

Release

The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival on 11 September 2019 and subsequently opened in Australian theaters in 2020 through Transmission Films. Streaming rights for Australia were secured by Stan, which distributed the movie as a Stan original. It received a limited theatrical release across Australia on 9 January 2020, followed by a broader streaming launch on Stan timed for Australia Day, 26 January 2020.

For the United Kingdom and Ireland, Picturehouse Entertainment managed the theatrical release beginning on 28 February 2020.

In September 2019, IFC Films obtained the distribution rights for the United States, releasing the film on 24 April 2020. Despite modest revenue figures, it achieved the top position at the U.S. box office.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, True History of the Kelly Gang holds an approval rating based on reviews, with an average score reflecting general critical sentiment. The consensus notes: "Its unconventional style may not appeal to everyone, but True History of the Kelly Gang presents a uniquely postmodern interpretation of Australia's history." According to Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 75 out of 100 from 27 critics, signifying "generally favorable reviews."

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