Kokoda Film Techniques

The film, Kokoda, is viewed as a useful historical source in its portrayal of Australia’s fight for its nation, during World War II. Although the truth was bended slightly for a more entertainment value due to Hollywood’s style, it was considerably successful in its aims to clearly represents the honesty of the nature of the Kokoda Trail. The motion picture truthfully depicts the inexperienced militia group and their remarkable bravery and and mateship to the end. Next, it accurately features the rough conditions of their surroundings in the ordeal and the dark effects of the undergrowth on the battle. Finally, even though the story is of limited material in its account of the an australian experience, not the overall war, it’s still a faithful

film that captures the significance of Australia’s fight for salvation.

Firstly, the film truly pays homage to the true aussie spirit in regards to the volunteers for Australia’s side and their worthy strength. The 39th Battalion consisted of people ‘untrained and unequipped’ for the war, expected to melt in the heat of the battle. ‘We are lambs to the slaughter’ (Kokoda Film- 2006). Throughout the supposedly unmanageable climb to keep their country safe and save their own lives, the australian men are wracked with fear as they deal with dysentery, cowardice, leeches, jammed weapons and are confronted by life or death choices on the move. However, it’s their courage, endurance, sacrifices, loyalty and other benevolent values that keep them going through and make a stand till the end. ‘[We] have got to die here. All of us. We have to.’ (Kokoda Film- 2006). The men led by Darko, do what they have to for the love of their country and even despite them needing treatment and break, they go back in the war zone situated at the front line at the battle of Isurava, towards the end. This shows what Australia stood for. Additionally, mateship plays an important part as well as even when danger split them apart or injuries came upon them, they believed in one another like Jack’s belief in Max; that he would recover in the field trip. The degree of companionship was high all around and lives to this very day as an inspiration. And so the movie is exemplified in capturing the attitude of the australians and the intensity of what Australia was up against.

Furthermore, the film as a sufficient enough source is backed up as it precisely recounts the mountainous terrain and horror of the vicinity that the australian troops were left to engage with the enemy on.

Literally, in the glorifying opening shot in the mesmerizing Kokoda, there’s a re-enactment of the footage made by the famous photographer, Damien Parer. It consisted of armed australian soldiers ‘...plodding up a steep incline as their feet sank into mud...’ (Kokoda- Film Reviews), signalling from the get go that the film payed much attribute to the experience. Throughout the experience, the rugged terrain and rough climate were shown to be unforgiving and quite treacherous at times, making movement sluggish and definitely exhausting. On top of that, soldiers had to battle the stealth of the Japanese invaders in the jungle and their notorious combat skills. They were accurately displayed to be better trained to some extent than the militiamen, though, the enemy never really was shown to the audience. Nonetheless, this was acceptable as it highlighted the fact that fighting in those circumstances was like playing hide-and-seek. The Japanese soldiers were very well camouflaged with the help of the dank undergrowth, emerging from the shadows. They were ‘...everywhere but hard to spot, appearing like ghosts of light...’ (Kokoda- Film Reviews) reigning down terror on the enemy front. Above all, this evidently illustrates the extremities that the war volunteers encountering in

the devastating war, being true to history.

Finally, Kokoda is a compelling and vividly detailed type of film that is dependable in illuminating Australia’s proud military history on screen.

In the first place, It’s true that it’s ‘experience-based film’ on the Australian front and because of this, has a restraint on its comprehensive accuracy of the war. It’s wise to remember though that this is simply a true account regarding a young group of ‘chocos’, initially, sent to Papua New Guinea as maintenance personnel and was intentionally not a full account of the overall war. Also, this film was made on a low budget, which made even higher physical demand of the cast and smaller depth of the conflict. As a result, the film is seen as a fine example of a successful history piece, of which low budget filmmaking is at its best, being represented in the film industry. In addition to this, some may say that the level of destruction and subsequent casualties on both fronts experienced in the film didn’t seem realistic enough. Whilst the casualties didn’t seem to be that awfully on both sides of the war, the intensity of it and brutally honest impact was implied and was clearly exceptional in its depiction. It was quite genuine its portrayal of the frightening yet very crucial war for Australia, shown through the impossible task that the young men were faced with. According to the journalist, Sandy George, ‘Kokoda is a testament to the absolute madness and absurdity of the concept of war, and to the horror and nightmarish

nature of the reality of war.’ To sum up, this was about Australia’s struggle to keep the liberation of the country’s lifestyle but moreover, the proper earning of its nationhood as it ‘...was the first and only time we’ve fought against an enemy to prevent the invasion of Australia…’ (Source I- 1992). If the depth and soul of the nation ‘...was founded at Gallipoli it was certainly confirmed in the defence of our homeland here’ (Source I- 1992). Anyways, there’s always going to be a small degree of biased views on films either way as there’s secondary sources. Regardless, the Kokoda Campaign was represented very well in the perspective of those Australian men. Therefore, it surely has the film it deserves in relating to Australia and studying it as a reliable source even if it’s a couple of decades overdue.

In conclusion, for a fim published in the 21st century, the historical accuracy of the film is well above board, showing that film can open a wonderful window into history. Firstly, for film truthfully portrays the troops of Australia as untrained and in all respects, captures their mateship and teamwork in the action. Next, the heavy grounds and conditions and then,
their adaption to that wilderness was shown throughout. Also, the significance of the battle and vigorous pride of the australians was successfully depicted despite it being a short film based on the perspective of a few australians. Ultimately, this is convincingly a wonder of a film and more than beneficial when using it as studying material as it’s most certainly true to the nature of the event.