Australia (2008)
“Australia” (2008), directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, is an epic historical romantic drama set against the sweeping landscapes of northern Australia during the turbulent years leading up to World War II. Blending romance, adventure, and history, the film paints a grand portrait of love, survival, and cultural identity.
The story begins in 1939, when Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), an English aristocrat, travels from London to the remote Australian frontier to confront her husband about rumors that he is selling their vast cattle station, Faraway Downs. Upon arriving, she discovers that her husband has been murdered, and the station is in chaos, controlled by corrupt cattle baron King Carney and his ruthless overseer, Neil Fletcher (David Wenham).
Lady Sarah soon meets a rugged, independent cattle drover known simply as “The Drover” (Hugh Jackman), who agrees to help her drive 1,500 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of harsh desert to the northern port city of Darwin. Along the way, they are joined by Nullah (Brandon Walters), a young mixed-race Aboriginal boy who narrates much of the film. Nullah is the child of an Aboriginal woman and a white man, making him a “half-caste” — a term used at the time for children targeted by government policies that sought to remove them from their families and assimilate them into white society.
As they journey across the breathtaking but dangerous outback, Sarah transforms from a refined, naïve lady into a strong, compassionate woman. She bonds deeply with Nullah, taking on a motherly role, while mutual respect and attraction grow between her and the Drover. Together, they overcome natural obstacles, treachery, and the harsh realities of frontier life, successfully driving the cattle to Darwin before Carney’s men can stop them.
After the cattle drive, Sarah decides to stay at Faraway Downs, creating a new life with the Drover and Nullah. However, their happiness is short-lived. The government forcibly takes Nullah away to a mission island as part of the “Stolen Generations” policy, and soon after, World War II reaches Australia when Japanese forces bomb Darwin in 1942. Amid the chaos and destruction, Sarah, believing the Drover to be dead, searches desperately for Nullah. In a powerful emotional climax, they are reunited, and the Drover returns, alive but scarred by loss.
In the film’s final moments, Sarah lets Nullah go with his Aboriginal grandfather, King George, so he can reconnect with his heritage. The story closes with a mix of heartbreak and hope, symbolizing reconciliation between cultures and the enduring strength of love and identity.
“Australia” is a sweeping cinematic tale — a blend of romance, adventure, and history — celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty of the Australian land.
