The Legend of Molly Johnson

Fantastic, a must see. Leah Purcell has made and starred in a brilliant film

It's possible this is one of the best Australian films I have seen. Amazing story telling, acting, and filming. It often has dreamy moments of art house undertones, mixed with nostalgia of a time not known. A haunting reminder of how aboriginal people have been treated by colonisation, and also that everyone deserves a fair and just life, that shouldnt be robbed because of skin color.

Engaging and yet again Leah Purcell has outdone the character!

The Legend of Molly Johnson is a strong and robust Australian film based on the classic Australian story The Drovers’s Wife by Henry Lawson. It has its flaws but is a very meritorious film nonetheless. Leah Purcell stars as Molly and she also wrote and directed the film. Purcell has updated and expanded the film to centre an Indigenous woman as the heart. Molly is left to fend for herself and her children in the Snowy Mountains in the late 19th century when her husband goes droving. She has much to cope with but is aided by passer-by Yadaka who is also wanted for murder. This film spares nothing in depicting the harshness of the times and it looks truly magnificent. It does have some plot holes but is also an exemplary Australian film.

The Drovers Wife – The Legend of Molly Johnson (forget Henry Lawson you won't find him here) This recent Australian movie looked like it could be the one we were waiting for to put Aussie films back on the international quality trail. Striking cinematography by Mark Wareham in and around the Snowy Mountains offers mesmerizing vistas, all captured within high-grade camerawork. Excellent central performances including a stand out by young Malachi Dower-Roberts as Molly's young son. Multi-talented musician/composer Salliana Seven Campbell's score is interesting but often intrudes on proceedings, if it's not the tempo it's the sound mix. Leah Purcell works hard in the lead role of Molly Johnson, and her story is often important but she fails to keep the project on target as writer and director. Too many situations don't hold too close scrutiny with some bordering on being outlandish - seems many moviemakers are still trying to copycat Italian Westerns. It's also a pity some filmmakers feel the need to drive a wedge through any attempts at integration by pushing the political ‘them against us' narrative and doing so with evermore over-the-top violence and emotional manipulation. Here, she overloads her story with the grossest whites (like almost everyone) ultimately coming across as somewhat unbalanced. We will never move forward as a civilization while continually pushing past misgivings, a well-moderated film will involve both sides of the political situation without continually looking back to the past for fault and victim blaming. Leah has been given a rewarding career within this modern nation's industry but seems only to lean towards racial bias. While it's occasionally interesting, as several other reviewers have noted the end result is somewhat disappointing.

An awesome epic story. Leah Purcell is not afraid to go there and make it real. It told a story of white colonialism, of Australian history, that many may not want to hear, but should hear, that need to hear. A story of sacrifice, of doing wrong but for the right, inevitable reasons. And senseless, dominating, oppressive entitlement. That does the worst and justifies it blithely. Purcell needs to get her teeth into good stories and fine acting, and didn't disappoint. None of the cast do either. And the cinematography is sublime.

This is a well written story capable of building a strong emotional bond with the audience. A woman raising a family on her own in the wilderness of ancient Australian high country. Excellent acting by Leah Purcell rich with motherly emotions and fierce protector. Rest of the cast supplements too. Clever use of visuals of lush and lonely high country that seem to have no end, is both scenic and haunting at the same time. A wide range of characters that lets this tale touch on many key developments in ancient socities despite all the unlawfulness and savagery. Molly Johnson's life is a wonderful tale that's told well.

Just....absolutely, all around, fantastic.

Riveting. I sat down to watch for a minute and didn't move until ending credits. It's a story of violence, rascism and gender inequality but also one of strength and love. Well done, Ms. Purcell.

Overall, this is a dramatic and touching story of Molly Johnson. Leading performances from Leah Purcell and Rob Collins are great, and the film drags whenever the two are off-screen. Visually I admired the level of creativity and filming style. It's truly impressive that Leah Purcell has directed, written and lead this film, and the results are quite positive. Any issues I have with this movie are generally minor. These include the questionable musical score, having to follow uninteresting side characters, and the first act. No matter, I'm honoured by the experience that I witnessed on the big screen, and I'm confident there's certainly an exciting career ahead for Leah Purcell in Australian Cinema.