- Title: The Real Ned Kelly
- Date: 30th August 2003
- Summary: In 1880 Australian bushranger Kelly was hanged in Melbourne gaol for the murder of a police officer. By the time of the 25-year-old's execution on 11th November,he was considered a popular hero among Australians,and thousands of people protested against his hanging. Since then,his stature has grown,and he has become Australia's greatest legend,a potent symbol of nationalism; the country's first revolutionary. He is seen as a martyr who fought the tyrannical British occupation,a true Aussie battler standing up against oppression. And the image of the anti-hero sporting a home-made protective steel helmet has become part of folklore. But does Kelly deserve to be so feted? Could it be that this national hero was little more than a crazed outlaw,a horse thief,bank robber and cop killer? Today,more than ever,his pristine image features in award-winning novels,glossy feature films,and even in an Olympic ceremony in Sydney 2000. So was the symbol of a nation an heroic freedom-fighter,or simply a murderous thug? This documentary sifts the facts from the legend to reveal The Real Ned Kelly .
- Description:Biography of the legendary Australian outlaw,timed to be transmitted before the UK release of the major feature film starring Geoffrey Rush and Rachel Griffiths.
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Documentary and Factual
- Producer:Windfall Films Ltd.
- Programme Episode:Episode 1
- Transmission Date:30/08/2003
- Rights:UK and Eire
- Decade: 2000s