Robert J. Maxwell It's an above average TV miniseries about ANZACS -- Australian/New Zealand forces -- at Gallipoli and in France in World War I. More cheerful than tragic, it takes us through combat, a lot of banter, a romance, explorations of character, and a lot of conflicts of varying degrees of importance.In the earlier episodes we learn of the class distinctions between the aristocracy who mainly identify with Britain and those of the working class who think of themselves as Australians. The former are rather stiff, maintaining a veneer of European culture. The natives are a happy-go-lucky lot who pay little attention to social position.This isn't the place to get into it, but isolated colonial populations are in a tough position. The Australians developed a national identity, taking one route out of the conflict. The Massachusetts Bay Colony took another and turned on themselves, hanging crazed devil worshipers and whatnot. Maybe it has to do with "the founder effect" -- prisoners and dissidents in Botany Bay; blue-nosed Puritans in Boston. Sorry.National allegiances aside, there are even semi-serious regional differences among the men. There's Paul Hogan, the "banana bender" from tropical Queensland. Then there's the Cambridge-educated Andrew Clark from urban Melbourne who enlists as a private and rises to the rank of Captain.Also explored, deservedly, are the oppositions between the British officer class and the junior officers and men. Whew, what a mismanaged war that was! Here's how historian Liddell Hart describes Douglas Haig, the British Field Marshall who managed the war in France."(Haig) was a man of supreme egoism and utter lack of scruple – who, to his overweening ambition, sacrificed hundreds of thousands of men. A man who betrayed even his most devoted assistants as well as the Government which he served. A man who gained his ends by trickery of a kind that was not merely immoral but criminal." Ironically, in my opinion anyway, Noel Trevarthen, who plays Haig in the film, turns in the best performance as a complete blank who refers to KIAs as "wastage" and only hopes that after the ANZACS have been "bloodied" in the field, they may behave themselves in a more military fashion behind the lines.None of the other performances are duds though. They're all of professional character. But their roles are rather limited. Andrew Clark is the handsome hero who evolves from make-believe British to committed Australian who earns his spurs on the battlefield. And Paul Hogan's deadpan non-acting is a delight to behold.It's not a gory bloodbath, nothing like "Band of Brothers". And the lesser budget of the typical television series is revealed now and then -- minor mistakes in wardrobe, a landscape that with its chalk and dust looks more like Australia than the rufous loam of France. The horrors of the snowy winter at Galipoli are mostly skipped, though a scene in France has the men's breath steaming.In the end, you get to like the Ozzies. It's easy. They're serious and determined when the situation calls for it. When it doesn't, they're laid back, brash, and interested in sports, beer, and jokes -- people of action more than contemplation. I realize it's a stereotype but in my limited experiences with them in the Pacific, it all seems to fit. And, regardless of birthplace, they gave us such toothsome blonds as Olivia Newton-John, Naomi Watts, and Nicole Kidman. Good on them.

lovell1 I first saw this series when it was first shown on UK TV on daytime programing??? Who they expected to watch I cannot imagine. I was at home recovering from a serious industrial accident, it was worth the pain and injury to see this epic tale, which was shown with no pre-publicity. When it was repeated on Sunday evenings over a year later I made a point of recording it. When my children raved about the excellent 'Band of Brothers' I promised to treat them to ANZACs. When I eventually sat down with my 15 year old boy, fan of Medal of Honour, Band of Brothers etc. he was for once speechless and we sat till 3.30 am watching the whole series in one sitting in turns crying, laughing and cheering. I cannot imagine any other 'entertainment'? having this effect.

SAChoover I thought it was quite a good series. I can't imagine how this could be reduced to a 2hr? tele-movie without losing just about everything good about it. I'm Australian, and this was produced for Aussies, no apologies for that. It's about time, rather than the usual good and bad Hollywood and to a lesser extent Brit efforts. If you don't know a Zac from a Brass Razoo, well we've had to put up with your slang and slight cultural differences for long enough. But I digress, this showed a part of history which has been long ignored, both here and overseas. In Australia we know full well the tale of Gallipoli, however the further efforts on the Western Front have largely been ignored. It's also good to see mention of the Home Front politics regarding conscription which severely divided the nation at the time and the Diggers response, which left it the only Allied fully volunteer Army in WW1. All in all I throughly enjoyed it, a good mix of believable characters, action, behind the lines antics and the Home Front drama, well worth seeing if you can get the original 5 part series.For reviewersSome of the previous commentators have said they wouldn't mind getting a copy of this. The only place I know that sells it is the Australian War Memorial. As you don't want URL's I won't include one however I'll leave it to you to phrase this part if you want to include it. Stuart Coates

chrisc2116 I remember seeing this movie on UK tv many years ago. From what I can recall it was an excellent portrayal of the events of that time. Whilst not always historically depicted and not always well acted I do remember eagerly consuming each episode as it was shown. A more sophisticated audience from nowadays might be less satisfied with the offering. All I can say is my family have it as top of my most wanted for either video or dvd. Alas, its available on neither. Roll on the BBC's repeat of this well worth watching film.