ANZACS (1985) (import)

I grew up watching this on tv and it's as I remember it, I was always interested in the first world war.

Superb cast, brilliant box set.

Very interesting and produced film.

Bought as a gift, they said really enjoying the dvd set

Once you start watching the series you dont want to stop. Excellent performances and something for everyone.

I did not see all of this series when it was shown in the 80's but, having read some favourable reviews and being interested in the Great War I was keen to see it having discovered that it is available on DVD.Based on what I have read I think it is reasonably accurate historically by the standards of TV drama. The battle scenes are not as impressive as they could be if it was made now with modern CGI technology but some of the tactical problems which commanders faced and the innovations which helped to overcome those problems to an extent are addressed. An example is the scene where the characters are seen closely following a creeping artillery barrage.Paul Hogan plays a character remarkably similar to Crocodile Dundee or perhaps just plays himself. Either way he adds a bit of humour to a grim tale.The DVD is an import and some of the text on the box is in Dutch but the Dutch sub-titles are easily switched off. Highly recommended if you like war films.

Well scripted and acted out. The humour, which has been much critised for reasons best known to the critic, is typical to the occasion and realistic.The actors were schooled by the Australian Army in the use of weapons which shows in their accurate handling of the various firearms current at the times depicted.All in all it was an excellent watch!

My interest in the First World War has been rekindled as we approach the 100th anniversary of the start of the conflict. I remember seeing this series years ago, but I now have a far greater appreciation of " The war to end all Wars" that both my grandfathers and great uncles went through. "Anzacs" is simply excellent and I was immediately struck by the detail of the series and more importantly by the overall accuracy and the feeling of the whole thing. Having recently been reading first hand accounts and letters of the troops from the time, I was struck by the sheer familiarity of it all, it was a very true reflection of thoughts and views expressed in the memoirs written at the time and shortly afterwards by the men that had actually been through it.Whilst not perfect nor for the absolute purist, it touches on all the aspects of trench warfare, the lice, the rats, death and senseless destruction, mud, the effects of the weather and the sense of intense comradeship endured by our forebears it manages it all without wallowing in sentimentality or political correctness or over emphasis on the undoubted horror of the whole four years. If you have even a passing interest in the First World War or want to learn more in an entertaining but fairly accurate way this is an excellent place to start.