Baz Luhrmann drops Australia's 'sad ending' to make it 'more uplifting'

Melbourne, Nov 9 : Baz Luhrmann has dropped the sad ending to his epic film 'Australia' after being pressurized by studio executives.

Luhrmann's initial cut ended with Hugh Jackman's character, The Drover, dying in the final scenes but after disastrous reviews from test screenings, Twentieth Century Fox executives decided the film's final moments should be more uplifting.

One member from the test-screening audience described the film as "an action-filled tragedy" and urged Luhrmann to change the ending.

"If they can tastefully tie this movie up into a solid story, with a nice pace, Baz will have a winner here. And there is no reason to kill off Wolvie (Jackman) in this one - come on," News.com.au quoted one viewer, as stating.

ANI