This is an exceptionally well made docu-drama based on the events surrounding the Granville train crash. I've seen it twice now and each time it has brought me to tears. The accident itself was the result of a tragic chain of events - everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The battle by the rescuers to save as many passengers as possible is inspiring and heartrending; they faced overwhelming odds - from the weight of the bridge to leaking gas that meant they were unable to use heavy equipment. The tragedy also revealed serious flaws in the emergency training and equipment, showing how unprepared the services were to deal with a disaster on this scale.This is definitely worth watching, and I think that although this is a dramatisation, it is still an excellent testament to the emergency services who risked everything and the ordinary people who survived that day. A very, very good film.

Although I didn't live in the Blue Mountains at the time of the Granville disaster, it happened only 20 minutes drive away from home. This dramatic recreation brought it all back to me. Despite the limitations of budget, it's an awe-inspiring effort on the part of the cast and production crew.A reviewer made mention of 'inaccuracies' but failed to name them. Yes, there are a number but surely with the passing of two decades it would have been near impossible to get everything right. A rivet counter (train fan) would most likely find fault with the loco which looked different after the event. The buffer beam was a different colour. It was of course a different loco. One of the station announcements was that the train stopped Penrith and all stations to Parramatta. It wouldn't have; usually it stopped at Blacktown then skipped all stations until Parramatta. But these are small points and didn't bother me at all.One poignant event which pops to mind was Scotty doing his best to get Bryan to give his name. Strange, as Scotty had just taken Bryan's electricity bill from him which would have included his name.There are so many good things I could mention that I won't bother. Buy yourself the DVD set and set back for a roller coaster ride of emotions. It's a pity that Umbrella as usual have failed to include any extras.

This is a very powerful documentary uncovering the events leading up to, during and following the Granville train disaster. I remember watching with horror the events on the television at the time, and although many other disasters have happened in Australia, and around the world since then, for many Sydneysiders it will remain one of the worst accidents in living memory. The movie, using the inquest as a focal point, is extremely well made, and very moving. The acting is sensitive and restrained, Rebecca Gibney, in particular, showing amazing depth of emotion. There are no big stars in this movie. It doesn't need them. The movie is essentially about the people whose lives were affected, and they are portrayed with humanity and empathy.

"The Day Of The Roses", the story about the 1972 Granville Train Crash which killed eighty-three people and its effects on the people around it, is an epic Australian mini-series which I thought was like the Australian version of Titanic. Time is always running out for the victims and their rescuers and sometimes, there is nothing they can do. It was filmed in my home of Brisbane and I could recognise some of the places filmed, which made it seem more real. The interwoven subplots each character is dealing with become even more serious when loved ones are lost and there is pain surrounding them. This is a brilliant mini-series and if you loved the epic of Titanic, The Day Of The Roses will touch your heart as well.