William Kelly's War

"The war stole their youth, outlaws stole their future."

Oct 30 2014 N/A 1h 34m
Drama, War

When WW1 breaks out, farm boys, Billy (Josh Davis) and Jack Kelly (Mathew John Davis), along with their cousin, Paddy (Lachie Hume), sign up, and are shipped out to serve in Europe. With Billy a dead-eye shot with a rifle, the boys are soon set up as a sniper team, mowing down Germans and Turks like nobody’s business. They become heroes, but back home, the family farm is being circled by a gang of cattle thieves, meaning that even when the war ends, the blood is set to keep flowing.

Plot

As the Great War begins, Billy and Jack Kelly together with cousin Paddy sign on and are shipped out to serve in Europe. Billy, a known marksman is singled out to head up a highly successful sniper team. Journalist Keith Murdoch is attached to Billy's group for press coverage of the front line. With Murdoch's glowing reports, Billy and the boys become celebrated war heroes. As the war drags on, the defeat at Gallipoli leads to more death and carnage in France. Billy's sniper abilities and courage in hand to hand fighting astounds his fellow soldiers, he is awarded the Legion of Honour. Back home, Billy's parents confronted with lawless bushrangers who threaten their lives and livelihood and fearing they will never see their sons again begin to campaign to oppose the government conscription policy. In Europe, Billy's team are sent forward to harass the enemy prior to a major assault on the infamous and impregnable Hindenburg Line. Through an amazing feat of determination and courage Billy and Jack survive but Paddy is killed in action. When Billy returns from the war he discovers the shallow grave of his father and is informed his sister has been kidnapped by bushrangers. In an explosive climax Billy finds and confronts his father's killer.

Written by

Mat Davis, Josh Davis, Geoff Davis

Directed by

Geoff Davis

Production Countries

Australia

Production Companies

Avalon Films

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
632
Average Rating
6.3 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA