Ned Kelly (1970) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Ned Kelly was pulled back into criminal activity primarily by his stepfather George King, who pushed him toward horse theft. However, the decisive turning point came when his mother Mrs. Kelly was tried and sentenced by Judge Barry, which fueled Ned's intense hatred for the colonial legal system and convinced him that the law was unjust. This combination of family pressure and perceived judicial injustice drove him and his brother to escape with two friends, becoming outlaws.

• ned kelly outlaw
• george king
• mother sentenced
• kelly gang origins

Mrs. Kelly was put on trial and sentenced by Judge Barry, though the specific charges are not detailed in the summary. The verdict was a pivotal moment that deeply affected Ned, reinforcing his belief that the authorities were oppressive and unjust. This judicial action against his mother directly contributed to his decision to go on the run and escalate his criminal activities.

• mrs kelly trial
• judge barry
• kelly family
• ned kelly mother

After Ned, his brother, and two friends went on the run, they encountered police at a creek and killed several policemen. This event marked a major escalation in their criminal career, earning them the highest bounty ever placed on Australian criminals at that time. The killings transformed them from simple fugitives to notorious armed criminals wanted for murder.

Foreshadowing: The earlier confrontation with the drunk officer who came to arrest Ned's brother had already shown how quickly violence could erupt between the Kelly family and authorities.

• creek killings
• kelly gang murders
• police killed
• bounty ned kelly

The gang decided to construct armor as a defensive measure against police gunfire during their crime spree. Ned famously declared that if the bible says to turn armor into plough shares, he would turn plough shares into armor. The armor represented their shift toward a calculated, siege-like campaign against authorities, combining protection with symbolic defiance.

• kelly gang armor
• plough shares
• ned kelly armor
• glenrowan siege equipment

Aaron was an old friend of the Kelly gang who was considered a traitor. The gang decided to eliminate him to remove a suspected informant and provoke a targeted police response. Their plan involved using Aaron's death to lure police into a trap at Glenrowan, where they hoped to ambush and slaughter the survivors using the train as bait.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Ned had written letters seeking sympathy from supporters, showing he was aware of allies and enemies within the population.

• aaron kelly gang
• kill aaron
• traitor
• glenrowan plan

Curnow was an inmate held at the Glenrowan hotel who convinced Ned to release him. Once freed, he warned the approaching train about the ambush the gang had set up. This act prevented the gang's plan from succeeding and allowed police to prepare for the attack, ultimately contributing to the siege's failure and the gang's defeat.

• curnow
• glenrowan train warning
• kelly gang ambush failed

The Glenrowan siege began when police surrounded the inn where the gang was hiding. During the confrontation, Ned was shot in the hand and a hotel resident was killed in the crossfire. Ned attempted to warn his sympathizers while other gang members were captured or forced to the floor. Two remaining gang members later shot themselves off-screen, and Ned was eventually overpowered and arrested.

Foreshadowing: The gang had damaged railway tracks hoping to derail the train and attack survivors, showing their preparation for a large-scale confrontation.

• glenrowan siege
• ned kelly captured
• kelly gang arrested
• glenrowan inn

Ned Kelly was tried after the Glenrowan siege and prosecuted by the same Judge Barry who had earlier sentenced his mother. He was found guilty of the murders and crimes committed during his criminal career, including the killings at the creek and the bank robberies. The judge sentenced him to death, the mandatory penalty for the crimes of which he was convicted.

• ned kelly trial
• death sentence
• judge barry
• ned kelly executed

When Ned Kelly appeared before Judge Barry for his sentencing, he delivered the defiant line 'I will meet you there.' This statement suggested he believed he would see the judge again in the afterlife, whether heaven or hell, and was unafraid of his impending death. It reflected his continued defiance of authority even in his final moments and cemented his legend as a rebellious figure.

• i will meet you there
• ned kelly final words
• judge barry
• ned kelly defiance

After the Glenrowan siege, two gang members who were not captured chose to shoot themselves rather than be taken alive by police. This occurred off-screen and demonstrated the gang's willingness to choose death over capture. Ned was the only member shown being taken into custody after the final confrontation.

• kelly gang suicide
• gang members died
• glenrowan aftermath