Adapted by John McDonagh from Robert Drewe's book Our Sunshine, Gregor Jordan's film about Australia's famous outlaw casts as rosy a light as possible on the outback legend. Heath Ledger gives a growling performance as Kelly, while the oppressive nature of the world in which he lived is evocatively presented. Misjudged and set up by the police, especially Superintendent Hare (Geoffrey Rush), he is forced to go on the run and form a gang. The outback is filmed in tones as sumptuous as any tourist brochure, but, in the end, the idolisation of Kelly rings only as true as the stature accorded to Billy the Kid.

After getting threatened by Kelly's friends and family, Constable Fitzpatrick places the blame on Ned Kelly and exaggerates what happened. With the biggest ever award available, Kelly and his gang set into the wild, to remain hidden from everyone who seeks them. Even if it means having his family arrested, the members of the Kelly Gang stay hidden and plan a way to get their names cleared.