The Last Outlaw (1980) User Reviews

Best Dramatisation of Kelly Story

[Gerardrobertson61 · 9/10 · 3 January 2018]

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.

Television Can Do it Better ~ Our Local Hero

[amyrourke56 · 9/10 · 23 December 2013]

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.

Dramatic and involving story of a romantic villain/hero.

[tonyglad · 8/10 · 15 March 1999]

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!"

The Last Out Law rules ;)

[ataylor-14 · 10/10 · 30 November 2005]

Great to finally see some good old Aussie history being released The Last Out law is out on DVD I Saw it at Sanity its a double DVD lets hope for other great Australian classic movies to come out :) John Jarratt's Performance of Ned Kelly has to be the best out of other Failed attempts no matter how many times they try and remake Ned Kelly it will never be as good as The Last Outlaw, which i reckoned was a fluke well since it was directed by George Miller he done other successful mini-series , series eg The Sullivans, All The Rivers Run, The Man From snowy River etc keep it up George Miller :) good that they filmed the last out law in the proper Kelly country and not like the new one around Ballarat,

The real story of Ned Kelly

[aezlove · 10/10 · 22 October 2003]

The Last Outlaw is the definitive film version of the life of Ned Kelly and the tragedy which enveloped his family and everyone who was involved. Producer Ian Jones is the authority on the subject and has researched Ned for over 50 years. His production is completely historically accurate to the smallest detail and as well as this is a well crafted and involving drama which begins quietly and builds in tension until the incredibly moving finale. (SPOILER) The final scene with Ned and his mother will move even the hardest person to tears.

The sympathies of the audience will definately be with Ned and his family but the film presents the historical facts and leaves the viewer to make up their own mind.

Any person interested In the Kelly gang is advised to watch this masterpiece and forget the Heath Ledger rubbish and the Mick Jagger disaster.

John Jarratt is the perfect Ned Kelly physically and gives a totally convincing performance and Steve Bisley is wonderful as Joe Byrne.

This is the film on which you define the "Kelly" yardstick

[john-kelly-3 · 10/10 · 21 March 2006]

Its taken 26 years for this miniseries to come to DVD - and it is an Epic (I had to watch it over two nights) - nearly 8 hours of great Australian drama..

John Jarrett is simply the BEST - forget your Heath Ledgers or (god forbid the Mick Jagger impersonation !!!!) .. You should base your yardstick on Jarrett's performance - thats REAL NED..

Added to the fact that Jones & Binns were so much sticklers for detail - I didn't realised Bronwyn Binns had passed away and was sorry to hear it..

As one who has the same Kelly blood pumping through my veins, this should be a classic but has not received the accolades it should have - this is definitive Australian History, along with Remembrance Day and the day they sacked Whitlam - All November the 11th...

..SPOILER..

Of course Ned gets hung in the end of it - footage is from the real site (Old Melbourne Jail) and Ned Kelly's real gun gets a look in 100 years later with the gun that Harry Power gives Ned (looks like a sawn off)...

Kind of makes you think they should have done a little bit more than cardboard cutouts at the Sydney 2000 Olympics in regards to Ned..

First Rate Telling Of The Kelly Story

[neillovescarolyn · 10/10 · 19 January 2020]

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.

The defining Tale

[hovee77 · 10/10 · 10 August 2018]

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.

The yardstick against which all other Ned Kelly movies / series should be measured.

[libba-75694 · 9 May 2023]

Absolutely brilliant portrayal of historical events as close as possible to the real story. Obviously with historical stories / reenactments, there is a possibility of errors or mistakes, but very few if any were made with this version. The fact that the Royal Commission held after Neds hanging made sweeping changes to the Victorian Police force in relation to corruption and victimisation as a result of this sad chapter in Australian history. There is an addendum at the end of the series explaining such. I couldn't recommend this mini series any higher and I urge all to watch it and form their own opinions. I would be very surprised if you didn't enjoy it immensely. Prepare to set aside 8 hours if you watch it end to end...you won't be disappointed :-)