Staggering that there appears to be so little interest in this great mini-series. Has everyone forgotten so soon the debt they owe to a country's fighting men just a few generations back? Is freedom taken so lightly?
A superb companion-piece to Peter Weir's GALLIPOLI, 1915 tells its story through the eyes of the Gilchrist family, specifically their son Walter, so well played by Scott McGregor. As war bites deep into the comfort zones of Aussie families on the home front, there comes a realization that freedom might have to be both defended and even paid-for with lives. Walter and his best mate Billie MacKenzie (Scott Burgess) sign up and head out to Europe full of patriotic pride but with no conception of the horror that awaits them.
The scenes of death and destruction are painstakingly recreated in this seven part series and viewers are left in no doubt as to what the actuality of war is/was. It would not be until SAVING PRIVATE RYAN that the realism of war would be even more graphically displayed on screen.
Absolutely superb cast, with old pro's Lorraine Bayly and Bill Hunter as Walter's parents and Anne Haddy, Bill Kerr, Sigrid Thornton and Martin Vaughan (to name but four), in supporting roles. Excellent musical score from Bruce Smeaton further complements the drama.
Mini-series viewing at its best. Highly recommended!
