Kokoda (2006)

Director:

Alister Grierson

Writers:

Alister Grierson (written by)
John Lonie (written by)

Release Date:

2007 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Tagline:

Mates Became Heroes. The Track Became Legend.

Plot:

A bitter battle is fought between Australian and Japanese soldiers along the Kokoda trail in New Guinea during World War II. |

Plot Keywords:

Soldier | Shot In The The Stomach | Platoon | Jungle War | Hand To Hand Combat

Awards:

1 win & 6 nominations

Cast

Jack Finsterer	...	Jack Scholt
Travis McMahon	...	Darko
Simon Stone	...	Max Scholt
Luke Ford	...	Burke
Tom Budge	...	Johnno
Steve Le Marquand	...	Sam
Angus Sampson	...	Dan
Christopher Baker	...	Blue
Ewen Leslie	...	Wilstead
Ben Barrack	...	The Lieutenant
Shane Bourne	...	The Doctor
William McInnes	...	The Colonel
Darren Taylor	...	Soldier - Forward Position
Lucas Stibbard	...	Wounded Man
Jeffey Gunn	...	Smiling PNG Stretcher Bearer

Also Known As:

Kokoda: 39th Battalion (UK)
Untitled Alister Grierson Project (Australia) (working title)

Runtime:

Argentina:92 min | Australia:92 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | German

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Mount Tamborine, Queensland, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)

Trivia:

William McInnes did this movie for free. His part only required him to be on set for a day. In his own words he says: “I suppose in a minor way, doing this part is like tipping my hat to my father's generation. It's only a day's work and I decide to donate my fee to Legacy. So at least someone will get something out of it.”

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Darko and Jack are creeping through the bush, you can see a figure run past in the distant background. The director admitted in the commentary that the figure was his safety officer running for the toilet.

Quotes:

[from trailer]
Dan: Suppose it'd be inappropriate to ask for leave on the grounds of compassion at this late juncture?
Sam: What grounds would they be then?
Dan: On the grounds that I don't wanna get me head blown off.

Kokoda on a human scale

While this film is not without it's flaws, it is definitely worth seeing. I found the dialogue hard to distinguish at times, and the plot line takes a little sorting out but the visuals work to stunning effect. It is a film that evokes a visceral (not to say gut-wrenching) response; one that brings the viewer much closer to understanding the nerve-jangling, terrifying experience of war, and the fortitude required to endure it.

Grierson's starting point are the words of the Isurava Memorial. It was the 'courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice' of the boys and men of the 39th, 2/14th and 2/16th battalions, that bound these ordinary individuals together into a force stronger than the combined effects of their circumstances and the Japanese army.

The film is graphic in its depiction of the demands that that environment makes upon you physically. Though while watching it you might not feel the strength sapping jungle humidity or smell the stench of battle and its aftermath, you're left in no doubt about the challenges placed on human bodies by dysentery and malaria.

This is no glorification of war, but its grim and gritty reality. Seeing the film will help you appreciate the efforts of those who were there.