Of all of the under-represented and underserved in the history books Australia’s Indigenous people must be somewhere near the top. Perhaps in Europe they learn more about what these people have gone through at the hands of British colonialism, but somehow, I doubt it. Even sitting here writing this, I don’t know very much in terms of detail, outside of what Stephen Maxwell Johnson’s High Ground has illuminated. It seems to me that their story isn’t much different than the Native Americans who were forced from their homes, rounded up, and murdered if they didn’t assimilate and comply with the invading white man. These similarities make the Western feel of High Ground all the more appropriate in conveying that message.
All of the pretty shots in the world won’t save you if you don’t get good performances from your actors, and that’s where Johnson excelled even further. Jacob Junior Nayinggul, who plays the older Gutjuk has the bulk of the heavy lifting, portraying the tear of his soul between family and friend. I still can’t believe this was his first film role. Simon Baker, who’s on the opposite end of the experience spectrum, delivers a solid performance with some real panache. His job wasn’t easy, he couldn’t just play Travis as a “good guy” 100% and the way he vacillates between what he knows is right and doing what he’s asked for King and Country is seamless, all while displaying a real love for the boy he saved from that river.
Not knowing the history of these “Frontier Wars” it’s hard to comment on the historical accuracy. The film does have an obvious bias (deserved or not) and only really shows the violence committed by the white men against the natives, while choosing to show only aftermaths of Baywara’s raids. This isn’t to pull the old “there’s good and bad on both sides” BS, not in the least, I just think if they had really played out the action on both ends it would have made for a more complex narrative and furthered Gutjuk’s story. As it stands, it’s a bit harder to understand his loyalty to Travis. While he was taken care of by him for 12 years, he was old enough during the massacre to understand what was happening. Perhaps it’s that he knows Travis is the only one hunting Baywara that want’s to end things peacefully instead of putting him down.
High Ground is not feel-good family entertainment, it’s a tough story with tougher themes. That being said it holds in it some really important questions about love, loyalty, family, and vengeance that could stand to be asked in today’s day and age. A movie that will hold your attention, pluck at your feelings and bring to light some of the historical atrocities that haven’t hit the global front page. If none of that appeals to you, then you’ll want to watch just for the beautiful visuals shown throughout.
HIGH GROUND is On Digital and On Demand May 14, 2021