Sisters of War (Blu-ray + DVD) (2010) (Region 2) (Import)

This tells a part of the story of World War II that is all but ignored, let alone forgotten. It is of the Australian rapid withdrawal from New Guinea. A contingent of soldiers who are mostly wounded with their doctors and nurses are retreating to a Catholic mission at Rabual. When they get there, the mission Sisters take them in and share everything with them.

They think the Americans are on their way to rescue them as this is 1942 and events at Pearl `Harbor' has brought the Americans into the War with a taste for vengeance. One nurse Lorna Wyhte (Sarah Snook) befriends one of the sisters, a sister Berenice (Claire van der Boom). They learn from and with each other and to face the horrors of trying to deal with the injured men and the lack of basic victuals and medicine.

Then they see boats landing in the lagoon and sing praise for their rescue by the Americans, only these boys aint Yanks. Their doctors say it's every man for himself and bravely run away. The few soldiers that are left go into the jungle to carry on the fight. The women do not know what to do and as one says `Their God isn't white, he doesn't play cricket and he won't give a hoot what happens to you'. The whole mission is soon turned into a prison camp. There is a big however, and it is not a plot spoiler, in that the Bishop of the mission is a German and therefore under the direct protection of the Fuhrer; this prevents the Japanese doing the normal slaughter.

What then develop is the stories of both the friends and how they try to get through captivity and the rest of the war. This is a beautifully shot film, it is well directed (Brendan Maher)and very well acted. It does not glorify or over vilify either side - there is good and bad etc. The only really ambiguous character is Bishop Scharmack (Gerald Lepkowski) who you are never really clear about. This lasts for 105 mins and you will think it a lot shorter, there is many a tug at the emotional heart strings and made even more moving when you know this is based on a true story. I thoroughly enjoyed this, but it is not an action war film, no battles a few bombs dropped, it is really a story of courage, friendship and survival. It is good to see another great Australian film in this vain to go with the likes of `Beneath Hill 60'Beneath Hill 60 [DVD], Kokoda Kokoda - 39th Battalion [DVD]and more recently `Balibo'Balibo [DVD]. If you like offbeat historical war stories, you will want to see this, if you are looking for action, then this may not be for you, but I would urge you to give it a chance.

Very engaging Australian film about two women, one a nurse and the other a nun, and their differing approaches on how to cope with Japanese imprisonment in WW2. The film highlights the need to remain mentally strong and with a clear focus, if one is to survive. For those seeking blood and guts and 'Banzai!' charges look elsewhere, as this is a more subtle character driven WW2 film - although to my mind this is a plus. The extras include a moving real life interview with the two women and one can feel the strength of their characters during the short interview, even allowing for the passage of time. In short, this is a story that both educates and entertains.

The Australians continue to keep churning out some pretty decent films at this time. "Beneath Hill 60" and "Red Hill" are two excellent recent examples. This one is perhaps not as good those, but it is certainly not a bad effort. Although it is a made for TV movie it does manage to punch above its weight. It is based on the fascinating story of Australian nurses and catholic nuns who were captured in New Britain, Papua New Gunea during the rapid Japanese advance through South East Asia in 1942. The story follows them as they survive the ever present spectre of execution, and how they band together for support during these dark years. Japanese treatment of World War Two prisoners is well known to westerners, a dwindling handful of whom still remember those wartime atrocities all too well.

The film is competently made in convincing locations, and the actors immerse themselves in their appointed roles. There is even some CGI which is up to a passable standard. Considering the films obvious paucity of resources you have to admire the job the crew have done. Lovers of action films will be disappointed, although there are some brief scenes to liven things up. This is a film about the trials and tribulations of brave women during difficult times. The film only has a running time of one and a half hours which does not give time to explore relationships too deeply, in the way that "Tenko" was able to do. But given the running time this is excusable. Aren't I nice! Perhaps my only real criticism is that it did not engage me as much as it might have done. Perhaps this is the old schoolboy in me yearning for some blood and guts action. But all said and done it is a good enough film and worth a watch. Perhaps most poignant of all is a closing scene where you get to see the elderly Sister Berenice Twohill and retired nurse Lorna Whyte whose enduring friendship was at the heart of this film.