In the second half of the 19th century, Ned Kelly, an Irish-born farmer in British-dominated Australian Victoria, repeatedly clashes with the self-righteous royal police. When a policeman who is about to assault Ned's sister accuses him of attempted murder, the situation escalates. Together with his brother and his friends, the Kellys retreat to the outbacks. Within a very short time, the gang is declared public enemy number one by the English crown. Pursued by the police and hunted by the entire country, the highest bounty in the world is placed on Ned Kelly's head, while he himself is celebrated as a folk hero. But the unyielding Francis Hare is already hot on his heels.