While minor on the epic scale, this certainly merits credit for the beautiful production design and opulent photography, a different view of World War I that hasn't been dealt with on the screen. It deals with the Australian involvement in the war and in particular, a major battle in Palestine that is reconstructed in a way that is quite believable and gives a true human interest to those involved. The Australians, outside of their own film community, rarely get credit for their place in history, and in watching this film, I developed a new respect for their participation in this historical event. By participation, I mean they were this historical event.
As the film begins, the camera sweeps over the majestic lands it's filming on and from there in the next two hours, the viewer is on a thrilling ride in a journey to the past, and it's one I won't forget. It's also a very personal film with these troops proving themselves to not only be quite heroic but very spiritual, thoughtful people whose own fears are wiped away by the importance of the mission. There are many big scenes, suddenly followed by intimate moments of commiserating between the men, and it brings a really thick slice of life to the events and makes it much more touching. There's romance, subtle humor and thrilling drama, and a production that if you get a chance to see this on a big screen it's worth taking the ride even if you've seen it before.
As the film begins, the camera sweeps over the majestic lands it's filming on and from there in the next two hours, the viewer is on a thrilling ride in a journey to the past, and it's one I won't forget. It's also a very personal film with these troops proving themselves to not only be quite heroic but very spiritual, thoughtful people whose own fears are wiped away by the importance of the mission. There are many big scenes, suddenly followed by intimate moments of commiserating between the men, and it brings a really thick slice of life to the events and makes it much more touching. There's romance, subtle humor and thrilling drama, and a production that if you get a chance to see this on a big screen it's worth taking the ride even if you've seen it before.