Anzacs: The War Down Under *solved*

[Russ]

I know it isn't British but I remember a superb TV miniseries about the Anzacs during WW1,the only actor I can remember was Paul Hogan albeit in a minorish part.



Superb and also does anyone have it on Video



Thanks

[Brian Brandt]

There is an Australian mini-series called "Anzacs: The War Down Under" (1985). It was about WW2, however. It's available (in VHS) as a three-hour video, edited down from the ten-hour series.

[Angry Hector]

Just to clarify, the mini-series was definitely set during WW1, as it set the scene for exploring the birth of the "Anzac Legend" which began on the battlefields of Turkey and France.



Anyhow, it was a splendid show made back in the days when Australian TV networks were prepared to spend squillions on mini-series, such were the big spending 1980s. As Brian said, it was released in a heavily truncated version for the American market, cut down to a thrid of the original running time, however it is available in Australia in its full length on DVD in a nifty box set which you can find here. It will work out to around 37.00 pounds UK, which includes postage.



Of course your player would want to be region 4 compatible for it to be of any use at all.

[Neil]

I have just watched the first two episodes after many years it was as good as i remembered i had to order it from australia total cost including post & packing £29.85 delivery took just 2 weeks but as angry hector sez you need a region free dvd player to watch it the series is available as a three disc set although i have seen it advertised as a three video tape set. http://www.dvdcrave.com.au/products/produc...uct.jsp?pid=404 try this link it should take you straight to the right place

[Roondi]

That sounds similar to a series that has been bugging me for ages!



I remember a b/w series that began each episode with a covert operation at twilight, it had a subdued introduction and the sound of morse code in the background.



Just as the action exploded the narrative described how there had been many such units operating behind enemy lines, including a phrase something like:

"one of these units, may have been called xxxxxx..."



They seemed to be fictional missions but presented with an air of authenticity -

anyone know if that description could be this series?

[716Jones]

Not sure what happened with my post, it seems to have missed out my reply! The series Russ meant was called 'Anzacs' and turns up on dvd on e-bay quite frequently. Usually in the regional format for Australia, whatever that may be. Would be worth buying a multi region dvd player for that series, I think. I remember when the BBC first showed it, it was on in the afternoon but got such a good response it was repeated in the evening. Once saw Paul Hogan on a chat show talking about the series. Very interesting. Apparently the weather conditions were so awful at times, the location was known as Pleurisy Plains.



Dave

[Kokoda144]

Roondi:"They seemed to be fictional missions but presented with an air of authenticity - anyone know if that description could be this series?"

nope, that isnt the series



just a little reminder of history for those who dont know or only know the "british" version



AZNAC's (australian and New Zealand Army Corps) was made up of 5 Aus Div and 1 NZ Div.

before the start of the war British commanders thought the anzac corps was going to be used in rear garrison details, when the anzacs got to france after galipoli volentary recuitment was down to 10% after the initial enlistments, General Haig (british) thought of the australians as undisiplined and would break at the first sight of combat. large casualty list did not even make him bat and eye lid. Haigs only stratergy was to do infarty assults agaisnt well fortifide german machineguns.



the AIF was the first one to break into the hindenburg line x2, the 2nd time without artilery support.

the AIF only making up 10% of the allied forces defended 30% of the allied front line in the massive assult operation from the germans in operation michel.afterwards all the dominion Div pushed the germans back 13 km while the british troops failed in all of there objectives.

All of the offical communiques to the public and british head quarters stated that the British army had held the german off duriong op michel and had won a desive victory gaining ground on assults. this was to bring the morale of the british army up since it was shatered by the assult.



By the end of the was General Haig was personaly addressing the AIF in gratitude and was said to have broken down in tears.



P.S. A young corpral in the german army was awarded the iron cross by a jewish Liuetenet, he was later to be famous (for all the wrong reasons) and known as Adolf Hitler