ABSTRACT

Breaker Morant dramatizes the historical trial of a trio of Australian lieutenants who were court-martialed for executing unarmed prisoners during the Second Boer War. The midpoint turned culmination of New Australian Cinema, this film serves as an instructive case study in how soldiers justify harsh acts of violence to themselves and others. The primary mouthpieces for such explanations are the title character and the defense attorney, Major Thomas. This article argues that these justifications are rooted in factors that both men cite repeatedly – the conduct of the enemy, the chain of command, and the nature of the conflict itself.

摘要

《布雷克·莫兰特》戏剧化地讲述了三名澳大利亚中尉的历史审判，他们因在第二次布尔战争期间处决手无寸铁的囚犯而受到军事法庭的审判。这部电影是新澳大利亚电影的中点，也是新澳大利亚电影的顶峰，它作为一个富有启发性的案例研究，展示了士兵如何为自己和他人的残酷暴力行为辩护。这种解释的主要代言人是主角和辩护律师托马斯少校。本文认为，这些理由植根于两人反复引用的因素——敌人的行为、指挥系统以及冲突本身的性质。