X
  • 2022
  • Samuel Goldwyn Films
  • 1 h 49 m
  • 2022
  • Samuel Goldwyn Films
  • 1 h 49 m

Summary In 1893 on an isolated property, a heavily pregnant woman named Molly Johnson (Leah Purcell) and her children struggle to survive the harsh Australian landscape; her husband is gone, droving sheep in the high country. Molly then finds herself confronted by a shackled Aboriginal fugitive named Yadaka (Rob Collins). As an unlikely bond beg...

Directed By: Leah Purcell

Written By: Leah Purcell

  • 2022
  • Samuel Goldwyn Films
  • 1 h 49 m
  • 2022
  • Samuel Goldwyn Films
  • 1 h 49 m

The Legend of Molly Johnson

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 18 Critic Reviews
60
User Score Mixed or Average Based on 7 User Ratings
5.4
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary In 1893 on an isolated property, a heavily pregnant woman named Molly Johnson (Leah Purcell) and her children struggle to survive the harsh Australian landscape; her husband is gone, droving sheep in the high country. Molly then finds herself confronted by a shackled Aboriginal fugitive named Yadaka (Rob Collins). As an unlikely bond beg...

Directed By: Leah Purcell

Written By: Leah Purcell

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 18 Critic Reviews
60
39% Positive
7 Reviews
61% Mixed
11 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 18 Critic Reviews
60
39% Positive
7 Reviews
61% Mixed
11 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
May 12, 2021
An exceptionally compelling Outback Western.
By Joe Leydon FULL REVIEW
80
Mar 21, 2021
The atmospheric revenge-thriller marks the feature filmmaking debut of actor/writer/director Leah Purcell, who plays the titular matriarch with steely resolve, rousingly adapts her own play and book, and delivers an impassioned film with an unflinching Indigenous and feminist perspective.
By Sarah Ward FULL REVIEW
70
Mar 21, 2021
Despite struggling with a thematic focus, the film presents a woman who is well worth getting to know.
By Bradley Gibson FULL REVIEW
60
May 13, 2022
Unfortunately, the longer the film goes on the more blankly didactic it becomes.
By Donald Clarke FULL REVIEW
60
Nov 9, 2021
It’s Purcell’s powerhouse performance that lends the film its punchier, gritty edge.
By Debbie Zhou FULL REVIEW
50
Aug 18, 2022
Purcell’s performance and ambition in reframing this foundational Australian tale are admirable. But her version of the story would be more resonant if it held more mystery and less message.
By Liam Lacey FULL REVIEW
40
Mar 21, 2021
The metaphors of colonial history, the subjugation of women and Aboriginal peoples, vicious social ills and a nation’s hidden guilty past are all alluded to. But their treatment in The Legend of Molly Johnson are not developed to the extent needed to leave the lasting gut punch, and change of consciousness, this admirable project could have achieved.
By Matthew Anderson FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 7 User Ratings
5.4
14% Positive
1 Rating
86% Mixed
6 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 7 User Ratings
5.4
14% Positive
1 Rating
86% Mixed
6 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Bunya Productions, Oombarra Productions
Release Date Aug 19, 2022
Duration 1 h 49 m
Genres
Website https://www.if.com.au/leah-purcell-starts-shooting-the-drovers-wife-the-legend-of-molly-johnson/
View All Details

Awards

Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards
• 1 Win & 14 Nominations
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
• 2 Wins & 7 Nominations
Australian Screen Industry Network Awards
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations

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