Burke & Wills (1985): cast, story & where to watch
1985 · Film · ★ 5.2
Released in 1985, Burke & Wills is a drama, adventure and history film directed by Graeme Clifford, running about 140 minutes. “They dared to challenge the unknown. They were the first. They crossed the Australian continent from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A story based on true events about two explorers on a doomed journey trying to cross Australia on foot in the 19 century.
Who’s in it. Burke & Wills stars Jack Thompson as Robert O'Hara Burke, Nigel Havers as William John Wills, Greta Scacchi as Julia Matthews and Matthew Fargher as John King, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.2/10, Burke & Wills has proved divisive with audiences. It went on to earn $1.6M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Burke & Wills page.
If you liked it. Fans of Burke & Wills tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Burke & Wills (1985)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Burke & Wills change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Burke & Wills worth watching?
- Burke & Wills holds an audience score of 5.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, adventure and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Burke & Wills?
- Burke & Wills stars Jack Thompson, Nigel Havers, Greta Scacchi, Matthew Fargher and Ralph Cotterill.
- When was Burke & Wills released?
- Burke & Wills was released in 1985, with a runtime of about 140 minutes.