User Reviews

Cinematography is brilliant and would be amazing on the big screen. Star actors couldn't be bigger names and all bring a compelling presence to the screen. Are there any big surprises or twists to engage the audience? Maybe not, but it's an enjoyable series.

We're pretty spoilt these days which makes us very critical. Let's just look for the positives. It's so good to see so many great Aussie actors on the screen, none bigger than Hugh Jackman, a favourite especially for the ladies. Nicole Kidman still looks beautiful on screen. It's good to see Bryan Brown as well as others. The villain isn't hard to hate so his acting must be spot on. Overall, the acting is good and I especially liked the little boy, Nullah.

The visual aspect alone is a great advertisement for Australia and should bring a big increase in tourism.

I don't know the ending yet as only seen four episodes but I hear it differs from 'Australia' which also faced criticism.

I stand by rating of 8 despite no surprises because visually it is spectacular.

I have an aversion to WWII "stuff" and that's how I originally viewed this from the ads. But then my curiosity of Australia took over and won, so I reluctantly watched it.

Oh my.

This is obviously compared to the movie it is based on, "Australia". And I did watch that! I remember from a few poignant and powerful scenes from Faraway Downs. Brilliant in "Australia". Brilliant in "FD".

This is not too long nor "too" anything. This is an in-depth series that, if you let it, will take your breath away many times, and will replace it with something much stronger.

The cinematography is outrageous! And they have invited us to join them on this journey which isn't always pretty or nice or kind. But it's real and it's heart opening thanks to an ensemble of excellent actors who were brave enough to share their world - the good and the bad - with us.

I hope you enjoy it just a little bit. :)

Please note - this review is from a fan of the movie 'Australia' and is expressing my point of view:

Australia is one of my fav movies to watch from time to time.

However, Far-away Downs is my new 'Australia'. Watching faraway downs, it gave the story more detail and explain the scenes in more depth that the movie doesn't show.

I'm not gonna spoil the show as it needs to be watched. Every episode draws you to the next one until the end. I like how every episode had time to explain more and the last episode esp wasn't rushed.

The true events of our country and it's history from that time are shown in a careful, respectful manner esp the subject about the stolen generation.

Baz, every movie, tv show etc to date are done with care, heart, research, attention to detail for the subject your directing to your audience.

Can't wait to see the next project :)

Disclaimer: I have only watched the first episode, which premiered at SXSW Sydney.

Faraway Downs is a masterful retelling of the 2008 film "Australia". In this adaptation, a young Brandon Walters is given more time to shine as brightly, if not more so, than the illustrious Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

While paying homage to the spirit of the original "Australia" from 2008, this rendition strives forward in narrative form and stylistic feature. It's a refreshing take on a well-loved tale, breathing new life into the story.

What immediately captures my attention is the exquisite cinematography. The film makes brilliant use of the 600 kilometres of footage originally captured during the production of the 2008 film, resulting in awe-inspiring visuals that skilfully weave together an uplifting presentation of place and people. The landscape becomes a character in its own right, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.

This time around, Faraway Downs takes a unique perspective, focusing more on Nullah's view, an exceptional portrayal by Brandon Walters. This shift in emphasis introduces a fresh and captivating narrative lens, providing an enticing glimpse into Nullah's storytelling.

Faraway Downs is a captivating and innovative retelling of a beloved classic. With its dedication to portraying the significance of place and people, combined with an exciting new perspective, this adaptation promises a visually stunning and thought-provoking cinematic journey. I look forward to the upcoming episodes to see how this story unfolds.

I absolutely loved the movie Australia. 10 out of 10 stars, so I was intrigued to see the reimagining.

The added scenes are definitely interesting and I would absolutely recommend giving this series a watch. However, while it did give more depth to the characters, it removed a lot of the mystery that made the original movie so fun in unraveling.

The biggest letdown, however, is the score. While a few new aboriginal pieces and 'Waltzing Matilda' were fun additions, the general score is atrocious and a far cry from the original. The new music is so lacking, that it detracts from the emotions on the screen, while the original score had enhanced them.

This is definitely an interesting take, but don't expect the epic feel of the original movie. This just makes for a decent tv show.

You must actually get Baz Luhrmann to get the brilliance here. Haunting and eloquent. Insightful and poetic. Tragic and breathtaking. All at once.

This will no doubt be a show that I will watch again and again. And I will encourage my writing students to study the example that Luhrmann demonstrates in this masterpiece of how to put an audience squarely in the skin of the protagonists, give those characters believable, sympathetic qualities and a balance of flaws, and then take the audience on a thrilling ride.

This adaptation sweeps us up from the very beginning and transports us to another world. I fully expect Emmys all around. Nothing was left on the floor.

It's not as good as you would have hoped. It's got a lot of Indiana Jones type action, storyline and production. Too much Hollywood in this and it's too bad. Predictable bad guys and of course the indigenous characters are highly moral and God like. White man bad. It's probably good for fans of the Hallmark Channel since there is an obvious Love Story. The rough cowboy and the sophisticated lady. Yawn fest. It looks very saturated and there is a lot of CGI and melodramatic music. The intro music and credits music is possible the worst thing about this series. You'll want to move quickly off the credits to make it stop.

I missed the original movie, but this series caught my attention from a year studying abroad in Australia. The scenery is beautiful. The story had me looking up different events in Australian history, which to me is always a good thing when a show draws a viewer to research the actual history.

Loved Nicole Kidman & Hugh Jackman in their roles. Bryan Brown & David Wenham do a great job at making you dislike their characters. David Gulpilil and. Brandon Williams are wonderful in showing aspects of Aboriginal culture. The actors all do a great job at bringing their characters to life.

I enjoyed the cinematography and most of the musical accompaniment. All in all a very enjoyable watch.

I almost didn't watch this, but so glad I did. This is filmed on an epic scale especially the big cattle drive. And if you think you don't like Westerns, you might be surprised. It was quite thrilling. The storyline was so good, the actors were perfect and the photography was amazing. It started a little quirky with Nicole Kidman as quite a foolish character and then she morphs into this fantastic strong woman who leads the story. And a great story! It is a western, a love story and a story of the magic of the Aboriginal people. All the actors in this are at the top of their game. And of course, you can never go wrong with an Australian production. Baz Luhrman did an amazing job with this. I highly recommend this!

Outback Legacy is an engaging and visually stunning film set in the rugged landscapes of Australia. This captivating tale weaves together themes of love, loss, and resilience, while showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the Australian outback.

The film centers around Sarah, a strong-willed aristocrat, who finds herself facing numerous challenges after the untimely death of her husband. The plot takes an interesting turn when a conniving baron plots to take over her valuable cattle ranch. Determined to protect her land and legacy, Sarah forms an unlikely alliance with a skilled and charismatic cattle drover, Jackman, played brilliantly by Hugh Jackman.

One of the movie's strengths lies in its well-developed characters. Sarah, portrayed by a talented actress, brings a refreshing sense of independence and determination, defying the societal norms of her time. Jackman's character is equally compelling, as his rugged charm and expertise in cattle droving provide both a romantic and action-packed subplot.

The chemistry between Sarah and Jackman is palpable, adding depth and emotion to the story. Their partnership not only creates an engaging dynamic but also serves as a symbol of unity, as they face various obstacles together.

The cinematography is a true standout in this film, capturing the vastness and raw beauty of the Australian outback. Sweeping panoramic shots of the countryside, combined with intimate close-ups, create a sense of immersion that transports the audience into Sarah's world. The attention to detail in capturing the authenticity of the Australian landscape is commendable.

The pacing of the film is well-balanced, with a mix of intense action sequences and quieter character-driven moments. The story unfolds gradually, allowing the audience to become invested in the characters and their struggles. While some plot twists may be predictable, the execution is engaging enough to maintain interest.

Outback Legacy also explores themes of gender equality and the power of community. Sarah's determination to protect her ranch is not just a fight for her own survival but also a fight against patriarchal dominance. The film subtly touches on the social dynamics of the era, highlighting the challenges faced by women in maintaining their independence.

Despite its strengths, Outback Legacy falls short in some areas. The antagonist, the baron, is portrayed somewhat one-dimensionally, lacking depth and complexity. Additionally, the resolution of certain conflicts feels rushed, leaving some loose ends untied.

Overall, Outback Legacy is an engaging.

This series begins with an over narration by an Aboriginal girl. Sounds interesting and promising. Next thing you know you're watching sort of slapstick scored with awful wah wah wacky sound. It ruined the feeling of what I was hoping to be a big saga about Australia in the WWII era. The actors, Jackman and Kidman, over played it in a slapstick manner. I felt like I was watching Around the World in 80 Days. What a let down. I couldn't stomach it for more than twenty minutes. This is really too bad because it looked like the director had high production goals. No binge watching this series for me.

Grim and depressing at times, hopeful and bright at others, I loved every single second of 'Faraway Downs'.

For mine, 'Australia' was a good film, destined to buckle under the unfair weight of expectation (and nowhere near as bad as some critics would have us believe), that could have done with a little more fleshing out of some characters and situations.

The six 'Faraway Downs' episodes - basically a Director's Cut of the much-hyped movie that was panned by some, but on a streaming platform rather than in the cinemas - accomplishes this and more.

An additional hour of footage creates depth and of course allows more spectacular shots of the Northern Territory - arguably the scenery is the real star of 'Faraway Downs' and Baz Luhrmann showcases the unique landscape in a way that only he can. It is breathtakingly beautiful.

Lady Sarah Ashley, the irascible and mostly-nameless Drover, Nullah and even the evil Fletcher are better characters thanks to the additional screen time.

The acting is brilliant across the board. Arguably, David Wenham's Fletcher and Brandon Walters as Nullah outshine superstars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman but they are all very good, even if Kidman's Lady Sarah is a little cliched at first.

The storyline and tension builds to an almighty crescendo in the sixth and final chapter, set in Darwin. Events taking place in that sixth chapter will certainly be a talking point - I thought it worked well.

From a good film to a great miniseries. I for one am very glad Baz Luhrmann found the additional cutting room footage and decided to work on this project during the pandemic slowdown. Bravo!

This really annoyed me. I guessed in the first few frames that I was watching a movie I'd already seen. Australia, the film, was OK. Interesting if you know little about the country's history. But this looks like a blatant cash grab to me. If it's successful, I can imagine other films getting the same treatment. I'm an avid cinephile with an excellent memory. There are few major motion pictures of value, if any, that I haven't seen. If I see streaming services starting to show this type of junk, I will cancel my subscriptions. I'll pay for new content, but not something like this, disguised with a new title.

I vividly recall my profound disappointment upon watching "Australia" in 2018. Despite its exquisite cinematography, the storyline left me disheartened with its chaotic and perplexing narrative. At that time, I distinctly conveyed to my friends that the experience felt like a regrettable waste of resources.

Fast forward 15 years, and my perspective on "Faraway Downs" has undergone a noteworthy evolution. The primary flaw, as I now discern, in the original movie is its temporal constraint, attempting to distill a rich narrative into a mere 2 hours and 45 minutes. The televised version successfully rectifies this, affording a more profound exploration of each character's depth. Commendations are certainly due to the stellar performances of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, who unequivocally stand as paragons in their roles.

The concluding episode ascends to the echelons of masterful storytelling, seamlessly interweaving poignant, heartrending, romantic, and dramatic moments. To avoid spoilers, I'll refrain from delving into specifics, but I must confess to a continuous emotional engagement, marked by tears from the opening sequence to the final frame.

In my evaluation, I extend a rating of 8 out of 10. A minor caveat arises from a perceived sense of cheesiness, emanating from the director's earnest pursuit of political correctness. The explicit conveyance of messages at the onset and conclusion of each episode felt somewhat contrived, diverging from the nuanced approach of Kevin Costner in "Dances with Wolves." It appears that Baz Luhrmann may have erred on the side of excess in this regard.

Notwithstanding this modest critique, my resolute recommendation for "Faraway Downs" endures. It has rightfully claimed its place among my preferred Christmas season viewing, standing shoulder to shoulder with timeless classics such as" Downton Abbey", "The Holiday," "Gone with the Wind," and "It's a Wonderful Life."

Couldn't get past episode 2. The Wizard of Oz headline shot was prescient. I was so looking forward to seeing something like The Sundowners, a classic Australian themed movie. But Baz gotta be Baz, much respect, but not my jam; so this is probably personal and that's on me, but it's still a pretty predictable ride. I didn't ride it all the way home but I'm pretty sure Dorothy/Lady Ashley lands just fine and as well dressed as any woman drover anywhere. Hugh Jackman is just a likable bloke and he doesn't lie down in a role beneath his considerable range. But hey, you might like Baz and in that case; there's no place like Australia.

Great TV series and better than the original movie in my opinion, (while I have only seen the first three episodes at this point)...except for a couple of things. Nicole's posh English accent was shrill and fake, and frankly, irritating. She does a lot better with American! Another point which stuck out to me was, when they were about to start the herd drive from the homestead, Drover yells..."Listen up everybody.." A city or outback Aussie in 1940 would not have said Listen "UP"! That is an Americanism that did not start until the 1970s. My other problem was.....at the homestead, there would not have been any electricity so far out in 1940. May have had some kind of generator, but, they were lighting kerosene lamps at night, but the drunk guy had an electric fan running!!! Other than these points...great cinematography and cool acting, in a sophisticated cartoon like atmosphere, which, of course is this directors wont.

Sweeping scenery, epic story set in tempestuous times. Lots of good actors. Characfers that you could love or hate. The characters got mkre fully developed here than in the movie (which was too long), because there was time to do it. To my mind to added scenes filled in the story, which is more suited to a mini-series than a movie. Unfortunately, the actors have aged or passed on over time, so a sequel would not be believable. But it is an enjoyable retelling. Some of the new music choices are odd. But the new opening credits are pleasant. The original movie wasn't as well received as it should have been. Hopefully this mini-series will be given more consideration.