Being a big fan of World War 2 history I was interested in going to see this and though some story elements and character building were missing it is filmed with excellent hand held cam that carries suspense all the way to the end. The character development was deeply lacking which was a disappointment as we don't care when people are dying and being killed and greatly takes away from the suspense we should've felt making this sort of feel bland a little bit. But unlike Gallipoli it gives an absolutely horrific vision of war that though is the message also of Gallipoli it didn't it show to well.This film will hardly give you a minute to slow down keeping the momentum up very well and is gory enough to make you want to vomit for those faint hearted. Overall it is enjoyable but not great. Really missed the mark in its story and character development which could've made it just that much more enjoyable which I would've liked it to have been.Grade: B- Comment: Go in with an empty stomach some scenes may not want to be viewed.

ojfosterbrown, the only hyperbole here is yours. The statements you take such a dislike to accurately reflect history. The 39th were poorly trained and ill-equipped and Australians did think the Japanese were about to invade.Ralph Honnor and his immediate superiors were screwed by Australian High Command (Blamey) and the "boys" of the 39th were later directly insulted to their faces by Blamey.Ifra, if you think Private Ryan is an ideal to strive for, then you'd better develop a taste for that Chardonnay.Pacific400, I'm no right-winger, but the fact is Japan has consistently refused to acknowledge its heinous crimes in WW2, why shouldn't audiences be shown what went on? Do you object to films showing Nazi crimes? Did you object to the NKVD machine-gunning Soviet grunts in Enemy at the Gates? Yes, let's not forget the great job the US did, they certainly never have, and they have no problem taking credit for others' work (U571), but how many of them know this story? How many of us know this story? Technical quibbles correct. Old .303s were standard, as were new Brens, militia definitely didn't have Thompsons and may not have had Owens, the thing only went into production in 1941 and the militia may not have had first pick of the weapons...As for those saying the movie is missing the Big Picture, this isn't A Bridge Too Far, it shows the Kokoda campaign exactly as experienced by the 39th Bn, a series of small engagements where some cracked and some were heroes and the enemy were "faceless", "mysterious", utterly unknown by Australians, capable of astonishing cruelty and eventually forced into cannibalism.As to those saying we don't make WW2 movies (or TV), try The Last Bullet, The Heroes, The Cowra Breakout, Attack Force Z (with Mel and Sam), Blood Oath, The Rats of Tobruk, Piece of Cake, Kokoda Front Line (academy award-winning documentary filmed where this film is set in the period immediately after - cameraman Damien Parrer died in combat on his return to New Guinea) and Death of a Soldier (even Paradise Road and Map of the Human Heart). What we don't do is make VN or Korean War movies.This movie had its flaws, all movies do, but instead of castigating a first-time director for his lack of budget, castigate the studios for never having told this story before.A war movie that finally showed what it's really like, "green" reservists climbing jungle-covered mountains while suffering from dysentery, malaria, not knowing where the enemy is and being in desperate need of a crap.

I've had this DVD for two months but was put off watching it because of the reviews I'd read on IMDb.I should have known better. Always trust your gut instinct.This is a great movie; not because it is technically good; not because the acting is great but because it tries and succeeds to tell the story of one of those rare occasions where a handful of men, against all odds, genuinely change the course of history and in doing so save their nation and their culture.Just because most people outside Australia know nothing about the Kokoda Track, doesn't diminish what those young Australians of 39th Infantry Battalion did in 1942 and it doesn't lessen the debt Australia and the allies in general owes them.These men saved our nation regardless of what the "arm chair" generals say in hindsight.I thought the film did an excellent job in showing not only the physical conditions faced by these young diggers but also how perfectly normal people rise to the challenge (and sometimes don't) when faced with abnormal circumstances.I think the cast did a great job depicting how our grandfathers faced these unimaginable horrors.For those who are looking for a Hollywood epic; watch something else.For those who want a glimpse of what truly makes people achieve greatness for no better reason than they are in the wrong place at the right time, please give it a go.And finally for those who view it simply as Australian propaganda, you are probably right so don't watch it.

"War is hell" quoted from Shermanfirst please forgive my English is poor :)As a Chinese ,I was surprised Australian's combat in new guinea,ago I often think Australian's battle effectiveness is poor in WWII(certainly Chinese too),but now the movie let me think Australian is honored !I think this movie is better than thin red line, and the movie equals Australia's Band of brothers,both are true and meaning ,it's great.the last give my regards to the movie and Autralian friendsHISTORY: The Kokoda Track (also known as the Kokoda Trail) is one of the World's great treks. Linking the Southern and Northern coast of Papua New Guinea. The Kokoda, Kokoda Track and Sogeri areas have a World War II history of bitter fighting between Australian and Japanese Armies during the latter half of 1942.The Kokoda Track is a native footpath that traverses the rugged peaks of the Owen Stanley Ranges, and it was here that an in-experienced, ill-equipped, outnumbered Australian force faced the might of the Japanese army. As well as their opposition, both nations faced the problems of conducting a war in the extremely inhospitable Papua New Guinea jungle, an environment that inflicted casualties .The Australians, together with their Papuan "fuzzy angels" allies, after four months of bitter fighting, overcame these obstacles and inflicted on the Japanese army its first land defeat of the Second World War. In the process, they became immortalized and a source of inspiration for future generations of Australians.