The story is set in Arnhem Land at the top end of Australia in the year 1919. The peaceful Dharrpa tribe is caught in the crossfires of a stand-off between police and two fugitives. What follows is a brutal and ruthless slaughter of the Dharrpa people where the only survivor is Gutjuk, a young boy rescued by Travis (Simon Baker) a WWI veteran turned policeman . Travis witnesses the cold blooded slaughter but reluctantly sanctions the atrocities by his regiment and eventually leaves the force racked by guilt . The start of this film is one of the cruelest and disturbing movie openings I've seen and its effective in telling just one story of the brutality of Australia's early settlement just over 100 years ago. More stories like this hopefully should help in mending the huge rift between indigenous and post 1788 cultures.
Why? because the film also shows that no one wins in a revenge war and violence begets violence. The story moves ahead 12 years in time when Gutjuk's uncle and mentor, Baywara (Sean Mununggurr) who survived the massacre that killed his family is still alive and leading a 'wild mob', attacking stations and killing livestock burning homes and killing settlers in the name of vengeance for his family?
Travis returns as his old police force accomplices need his help to track down Baywara the most dangerous warrior in the Territory and to erase the truth .
As Travis and Gutjuk journey through the outback they begin to earn each other's trust, but when the truths of Travis' past actions are suddenly revealed to Gutjuk it is he who becomes the hunted.
Sound a bit like a classic American shot gun Western? I'm sure that's not accidental and it works well except for a few exceptions that in my opinion spoiled the film.
Usually I mention all the things I really liked in a movie first then if there's any negative criticism I leave that last but I'll make an exception with High Ground.
My reason this time is that the first thing that bothered me was the small screen ratio . I can't think why they filmed High Ground is this Screen Ratio it probably wouldn't be as noticeable on television?
I read and agree with the view of Sean Coates from "The Babble Down Under " who writes -High Ground is a stunning looking film, but not in a way that you expect. The stark natural beauty of Arnhem Land and all its glorious vistas demand to be viewed on the biggest widescreen format available, but it's surprisingly presented in a tighter aspect ratio. The tight framing paired with visceral colors that leap off the screen and the intoxicating sound design envelops you into this beautiful yet unpredictable environment. Taking a leaf out of the Terrence Malick handbook, the film also utilizes a lot of wide angle, handheld close-ups that puts the onus on the performers, which should have struck the desired contemplative and wholly absorbing effect, but instead it feels incongruous with how the rest of the film is shot.
I've seen this Screen Aspect work well in the intense Gothic monochrome drama The Lighthouse (2019) because it added intensity and drama between the 2 characters but why it was used in High Ground is puzzling to me.
The other criticism I have is the lack of character development in the script between the two main characters Travis (Simon Baker) and Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul both actors are superb in their portrayals but I would have liked more story and less shooting. The lingering conflict between the two characters should create an uneasy tension that could boil over at any moment once the truth is exposed, but it is never fully realized. Travis and Gutjuk's dynamic is very intriguing conceptually; Gutjuk with fire in his belly and his heart set on seeking justice for the death of his family and Travis' complicity and guilt driving him on a path to redemption, but in execution the script feels underdone. When we do get to the emotional payoffs between these characters, they are quite underwhelming and don't have the weight or the impact that they should.
The other small criticism is the lack of attempt to age two of the key characters in particular Ryan Corr as the Pastor Braddock ,who is traumatised by the cruelty of the massacre and his sister Claire (Carmen Pistorius ,who brings the young survivor Gutjuk up for 12 years both very effective in their roles . Twelve long years in Arnhem Land would have to have aged these fresh young faces or am I being too picky?
Now some well deserved praise "High Ground " looks and sounds beautiful I loved the effective use of bird shots and sounds like totems to the horrific events . The acting is superb from the all the main characters especially Simon Baker, Jacob Junior Nayingull and newcomer Esmeralda Marimowa as Gulwirri a young indigenous woman who has returned to Country after being brutalised by her white captors . Jack Thompson I recall on an Australian Story episode about the shooting of High Ground was very unwell and on dialysis in a special on set van . He gives a wonderful character performance as Moran a magistrate who attempts a reconciliation but only on the terms of King George V . High Ground is a very good film I recommend it ,it's described in Wikipedia as is a 2020 Australian drama/action thriller/meat-pie Western film directed by Stephen Maxwell Johnson. I think it's more than that but could have been Better.
Now some well deserved praise "High Ground " looks and sounds beautiful I loved the effective use of bird shots and sounds like totems to the horrific events . The acting is superb from the all the main characters especially Simon Baker, Jacob Junior Nayingull and newcomer Esmeralda Marimowa as Gulwirri a young indigenous woman who has returned to Country after being brutalised by her white captors . Jack Thompson I recall on an Australian Story episode about the shooting of High Ground was very unwell and on dialysis in a special on set van . He gives a wonderful character performance as Moran a magistrate who attempts a reconciliation but only on the terms of King George V . High Ground is a very good film I recommend it ,it's described in Wikipedia as is a 2020 Australian drama/action thriller/meat-pie Western film directed by Stephen Maxwell Johnson. I think it's more than that but could have been Better.