|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 9, 2007 22:16:39 GMT 12
Over the years I've seen a fair few war films and TV series made in Australia. I don't yet think I've seen a poor one - the industry pretty much gets it right each time.
But I'm sure there must be more I haven't seen so I thought I'd start a thread and list some i rmemebr, and see what else you guys can add and recommend.
South Africa War
Breaker Morant (superb!!)
World War One
The Lighthorsemen (Excellent)
Gallipoli
A Fortunate Life (miniseries)
World War Two
ANZAC's (WWI and WWII wasn't it?)
A Town Like Alice (mini-series remake)
Heroes (brilliant, I'd love to see it again)
Heroes II (I'd like to see this someday, not seen it)
The Sullivans (great series)
Sahara (Remake of the Bogart film, ok, nice warbird)
Changi (excellent mini-series)
The Last Bullet (I found this recently on DVD. Stars Jason Donovan, and is low budget but not bad. The copy is shocking though for a new DVD, like a ratty old ex-rental video)
I'm sure I've forgotten a few, can you recommend any others?
|
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 10, 2007 8:05:34 GMT 12
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (starring David Bowie)
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 10, 2007 9:45:15 GMT 12
I thought that was made in NZ. I've not seen it but had heard of some NZ connection.
|
|
|
|
Post by yak2 on Feb 10, 2007 12:47:39 GMT 12
"The Odd Angry Shot"...Vietnam war movie starring Graham Kennedy. "Forty Thousand Horseman" early B&W (1920's) about the Australian Light Horse in WW1, and there was at least one WW2 movie starring Chips Rafferty. There have been a few made here...."The Thin Blue Line" was a WW2 film shot in FNQ a couple of years ago, and involved a number of local warbirds. "The Sullivans".......gee Dave you are showing your age. That was the series where Sam Neil got his break in OZ.
|
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Feb 10, 2007 13:26:19 GMT 12
"The Thin Red Line" is a great movie, and much better than "Saving Private Ryan" in my opinion.
"Kokoda" is a release from last year on DVD: I bought it about two months ago and have watched it once. A bit corny in parts, but it's not too bad.
There was also a mini-series "Vietnam" with Nicole "couldn't act her way out of a wet paper bag" Kidman in it. Haven't seen it, so can't say if it's any good.
"My Brother Jack" another ABC mini-series which I gather is based around WWII. Again haven't seen it, so can't comment on how good it is.
Dave, is "The Last Bullet" the movie where Jase and a Japanese soldier are trying to kill each other off but neither can get the upper hand until Jase strikes the empty bulletclip against the side of his M1 Garand to fool the Jap that he's fired off a whole clip?
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 10, 2007 14:20:38 GMT 12
Ah yes, I read about The Odd Angry Shot recently. Any good? I grew up with The Sullivans, I loved that series. Every Aussie and Kiwi actor of the 1970's and 80's seemed to be in it. Kiwis I recall were Andy Anderson as one of the Sullivans plus the guy that played Geoff Sullivan. I don't recall Sam Neill in it, but then I didn't know his work much then. I liked Magpie and Urger, and from memory Magpie went on to star in The Lighthorsemen and Police Rescue - Gary Sweet. Chips Rafferty, not too familiar with him but I see on IMDb that he was in the 40,000 Horsemen. Was that film what The Lighthorsemen was based on, ie same events? Or was it a different story? I'd like to see it but doubt it'll ever play here. The Thin Red line is excellent but I prefer SPR as its not so psychological and an easier watch. I've never seen the original but hear it was good too, many who saw the original hate the Aussie-location-made version, but they're probably not into psych films enough. Kokoda never seemed to come out here, I was keeping an eye out. Hopefully it'll come out on DVD here. I've not seen 'Vietnam' but I don't think Kidman has made a decent film since that one on the yacht with Sam Neill and mad Billy Zane. I've seen My Brother Jack (or at least this version www.imdb.com/title/tt0256564/ ) but from memory it wasn't WWII but between the wars? His Dad had been in WWI and was nuts after being in the trenches. I think it was set in the 1930's. Wierd but good. Yes, the Last Bullet is that film. Though the Jap doesn't die as they meet at the 50th Anniversary reunion at the end. it was an ok film but Jase was much better in Heroes. Cheers guys! Any more? |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 10, 2007 14:21:12 GMT 12
Wasn't that total trach Windtalkers also made in Aussie?
|
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 11, 2007 8:03:55 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by beagle on Feb 11, 2007 20:39:27 GMT 12
There was the film called the Castle where ha had a war with the local council. hehehe
|
|
|
|
Post by tibor on Feb 12, 2007 10:27:34 GMT 12
I remember watching and enjoying "Sword of Honour", which was an Australian miniseries made in 1986. According to Wikipedia, four 100 minute episodes were made. The series starred Andrew Clarke, Tracey Mann and Alan Fletcher. The series was about two young men who are trying to get over the horrors of the Vietnam War. Andrew Clarke won best actor in a miniseries, and Tracey Mann won best actress in a miniseries in the Logies. It also had Vince Martin in it!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 12, 2007 11:40:17 GMT 12
I hadn't seen that 'Sword of Honour', nor heard of it. I have seen the most recent adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's book 'Sword of Honour' though which is very good (semi-autobiographical about Waugh's experiences fighting in North Africa and Greece. Very harsh and realistic. The cgi Stukas were excellent too.
|
|
