AustLit

'Justin Kurzel’s True History of the Kelly Gang premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on September 6. From the beginning, “true history” became irrelevant, as a written message appeared on the screen declaring, “Nothing you are about to see is true.” The film went on to base its fantasy story on a “memoir” written by Ned Kelly to his fictitious daughter professing to be a “true account of my life”. This sham muddle of truth and fiction is pure make-believe, masquerading as a psychological insight into the criminal mind—the narcissistic mind of a predatory criminal, horse thief, robber of banks and killer of policemen. This flawed film incorporates Ned’s many lies and distortions, expanding on the excuses he used to exonerate himself.' (Introduction)