When the Kellys Rode: More History Class Than Thriller

Alright, so, let's talk about When the Kellys Rode. Look, if you’re a film historian, or really just super into the whole Ned Kelly story, this one might pique your interest. It’s an old film, after all. But for pretty much anyone else expecting, you know, a *movie* with thrills and all that, you’re probably gonna find it a bit of a quiet journey. Don't go in expecting The Midnight Limited kind of pace. This is different.

The film kicks off with the whole policeman incident, which, honestly, feels a little quick. One moment there's an officer, then suddenly, things go sideways, and Ned Kelly is on the lam. It's less a build-up of tension and more a sudden event that just *happens*. You know, like, 'get to the plot point, quick!'

Harry Simpson plays Ned, and he’s got this certain presence. Not exactly the charismatic outlaw you might imagine from the legends, but a sturdy, determined figure. His expressions are pretty big, as you'd expect from films of this era, really. You can kinda tell what he's thinking from across the room.

Much of the middle section involves the gang riding. A lot. Like, a surprising amount of riding horses across various landscapes. Sometimes it feels like the movie is just showing off its location shooting. There’s a particular shot where they’re cresting a hill that lingers just a touch too long, almost like a postcard.

The bank robberies are interesting. Not exactly explosive action, more like a procession. The gang shows up, does their thing, and then they're off again. There's a moment during one of these where a bystander’s reaction shot is held for what feels like an eternity. It’s almost funny how long they hold it, like they wanted to make sure you *really* saw their fear.

You can almost feel the film trying to convince you that these moments matter, that the stakes are high. But sometimes, the quietness, the slow pace, it kinda works against that. It's like watching a re-enactment without all the sound effects we’re used to now. Just the raw, silent action.

The whole Glenrowan Hotel sequence, the big finale, it's pretty much what you expect for a film of its time. The build-up is there, the tension is supposed to be thick. There are a fair number of people running around, but it never quite hits that chaotic, desperate feeling you’d read about. It's all a bit orderly, even in its violence.

There's a subtle awkwardness in some of the staging. Like, the way characters position themselves during a standoff. It’s a little too neat, a little too much like a posed photograph, especially compared to something like The Frontier Trail, which had a bit more grit.

You see some clever little bits of camera work for the time. Nothing groundbreaking, but enough to show they were trying to tell a story visually. Some of the close-ups on faces really do stand out, pulling you in just a bit closer to the emotions, even if they're a little over the top.

Ultimately, When the Kellys Rode is less of an adrenaline-pumping ride and more of a historical document. It’s a piece of cinema history. It doesn't exactly grab you by the collar and pull you along, but it does offer a glimpse into how these stories were told way back when. It’s a quiet watch, for sure. So, bring your patience. 🧘‍♀️

Didja notice?

• The sheer number of horses in some shots. They really had a stable full! 🐎
• One of the bank tellers during the robbery looks more confused than scared.
• The police uniforms seem *very* starched, even in a chase scene.
• A particular tree stump that appears in like, three different riding scenes. It felt like an old friend.
• The dramatic final shots of the gang... a bit too clean, maybe?