What did Breaker Morant do wrong?
Morant was accused of the summary execution of Floris Visser, a wounded prisoner of war, and the slaying of four Afrikaners and four Dutch schoolteachers who had been taken prisoner at the Elim Hospital. Morant was found guilty and sentenced to death.
How accurate is Breaker Morant?
As a piece of intelligent film making, Breaker Morant is a wonderfully gripping military courtroom drama. Three soldiers fighting in the Boer War are charged with executing unarmed Boer soldiers and for the murder of a German missionary. The film is based on a true story; that much is true.
What is the movie Breaker Morant about?
In South Africa during the Second Boer War, Australian Army Lieutenants Harry “Breaker” Morant (Edward Woodward), Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown) and George Witton (Lewis Fitz-Gerald) stand accused of the murders of six Boer prisoners and the assassination of a German missionary. British Commander-in-Chief Lord Kitchener is determined to see the men found guilty, which he can use as a bargaining chip in an impending peace conference with the Boers.
Breaker Morant/Film synopsis
What does Rule 303 stand for?
Presumptions in
Rule 303 – Presumptions in Criminal Cases (a) Presumptions in favor of the accused. A statute providing that a fact or group of facts is prima facie evidence of another fact or of guilt establishes a presumption within the meaning of this rule.
Who was shot with Breaker Morant?
On 27 February 1902, Harry “Breaker” Morant and Peter Handcock were shot by a British firing squad in Pretoria. Over a hundred years on, the controversy over the rights and wrongs of the case continues.
Who defended Breaker Morant?
James Francis Thomas
James Francis Thomas – The Man Who Defended Breaker Morant, The Australian Light Horse Association.
Who wrote Breaker Morant?
Bruce Beresford
Kenneth G. RossJonathan HardyDavid Stevens
Breaker Morant/Screenplay
Who shot Breaker Morant?
Where did they film Breaker Morant?
South Australia
Location notes: Set in South Africa during the Boer War of 1901 but filmed in South Australia.
Was Breaker Morant a scapegoat?
George Witton wrote the book to show that he, “Breaker” Morant and Handcock, who fought in the second Boer war as members of the Bushveldt Carbineers regiment of the British army were scapegoated by the British authorities in South Africa. Morant and Handcock have become folk heroes in modern Australia. .
Where did Breaker Morant live?
Harry Harbord (Breaker) Morant (1864?-1902), horseman, balladist and soldier, was born probably on 9 December 1864 at Bridgwater, Somerset, England. He arrived at Townsville, Queensland, on 1 April 1883.
What happened to George Witton?
He had a heart attack while cranking his car engine, and died in hospital on 14 August 1942, at the age of 68. He was buried with his first wife Mary in Brisbane’s Lutwyche Cemetery which, coincidentally, is located on the corner of Gympie and Kitchener Roads.
What is the movie only Breaker Morant about?
Breaker Morant is a 1980 Australian war drama film directed by Bruce Beresford, who also co-wrote the screenplay which was based on Kenneth G. Ross ‘ 1978 play of the same name. The film concerns the 1902 court martial of Lieutenants Harry Morant, Peter Handcock, and George Witton —one of…
What happened to Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock?
Just before the end of the Boer War, lieutenants Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant and Peter Handcock were executed by firing squad for murdering 12 Boer prisoners of war. That they committed the crimes is beyond doubt.
Who was killed in the Boer War in South Africa?
1902: British execute horseman, soldier and poet Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant Just before the end of the Boer War, lieutenants Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant and Peter Handcock were executed by firing squad for murdering 12 Boer prisoners of war.
Did three Australian lieutenants get court martialed for executing Boer prisoners?
Three Australian lieutenants are court martialed for executing prisoners as a way of deflecting attention from war crimes committed by their superior officers. During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are on trial for shooting Boer prisoners.