Totally stumbled upon this,slow day at the office today saw me reaching for the mouse and navigating to iview (for the non Aussies, that's our local ABC television stations streaming service) and this featured prominently on the main page.Got me right away.I am a bit biased, my father worked for the ABC for nearly all his life and I have more than a passing interest in local film as well as film making, I instantly recognized the Bell and Howell clockwork 16mm camera he carried through nearly the entire film.
Truly wonderfully shot,directed,edited and for the most part acted.Not knowing much about the real story(other than obviously being familiar with a lot of Parer's legendary work)I can only speculate how much "artistic license" has been used to inject drama into this movie.
Yes the soldiers did often look a little too clean and healthy and I could have done without much of the love story as that really doesn't do much for me in a film of this style.
I was however able to easily forgive those shortcoming and enjoy what is without a doubt a jewel in the more often than not crap that is Aussie cinema.
Beautiful,compelling and emotional.A great piece of work doing homage to a true HERO of Australia.Will no doubt end up in my top 10 of all current releases I watch this year.I would like to say more but can't without spoiling.
A must watch.Get it on iview before its gone or any other way you can, this one is not to be missed.
