Home > Categories > Movies > Documentaries > Why ANZAC review
Sam Neill examines the enduring myths of the Anzac legend, sharing his family's war stories and uncovering forgotten truths that haunt us still today.
From the Gallipoli Peninsula back to the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand, where he grew up; across the Tasman to Australia where he has lived for 35 years; and over to the killing fields of Belgium, France, Crete and Italy, Sam Neill probes why New Zealand and Australia are bound by the blood shed during a century of warfare.
On the centenary of the disastrous Gallipoli landing, the film looks for answers as to why that particular event has become symbolic and is remembered more than any other in the two nations' shared history. Personal photographs and letters are featured, as well as selected archival footage and interviews with historians.
Product reviews...
I really enjoyed this movie, like history and always nice to learn more about what has happened in the past. I put the DVD on and was hooked since the opening credits. I really loved the photos, loved the letters that the young guys wrote home and the memories shared and passed down from family members. The footage showing Gallipoli and other important areas where action occurred were amazing and the shots of the cemeteries had me in tears especially since some of the dead were so young.
I have young kids who would benefit from watching this but not quite this young, I will definitely be keeping this for when they are older. I especially liked how the movie wasn't all blood and guts, there was some old movies referred to but there was no blood to try and shock the viewer. I feel like I understand a bit more of the history of New Zealand.
If I was a history teacher this film would be a good one to show when kids are studying ANZAC day and the importance of the day. The film starts from 1915 and covers a lot of the history and wars since then, a lot of it is also personal family history.
Random listing from 'Movies'...
Set in a 19th century European village, this stop-motion, animated feature follows the story of Victor, a young man who is whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious Corpse Bride, while his real bride, Victoria, waits bereft in the land of the living.
Though life in the Land of the Dead proves to be a lot more colourful than his strict Victorian upbringing, Victor learns that there is nothing in this world, or the next, that can keep him away from his one true love.
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"Never invoke the gods unless you really want them to appear. It annoys them very much."
G.K. Chesterton