Full, uncut, 3 DVD set or 3 VHS

Following the lives of a dozen Australian soldiers who served in the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during World War I which follows them from the 1915 battle of Galipoli, to the brutal trenches of France during the 1916 Somme battles, the 1917 Arias and Vimy Ridge battles to the final 1918 German offensives and the final victory drive as well as the hardships, mid-adventures and the casualties of friends encounted at each one.

viewer's comments:

- The Best!
The ANZACS is the greatest Australian war film ever made. Paul Hogan (Pat Cleary) pulls off his role with fantastic as was Andrew Clarke's character Martin Barrington. It was good to see that not all of the series was based actually on the battles but also on the life in and behind the lines.
Megan Williams and Jon Blake were also excellent!


- Aussie soap meets Band of Brothers
This was an excellent mini-series, packed with sub-plots, all revolving around the story of an Aussie platoon during the First World War. Comic relief is provided by the brilliant Paul Hogan as the wheeling-dealing private Pat Cleary, and a sense of realism is maintained through the narrative character of Roly Collins (excellently played by Christopher Cummins). The story never dips in interest and, I'm pleased to say, strives to keep an actuate journal of real events during the Great War from all battles; violent and political.

And if you want to know why the world has to thank Australia and New Zealand for their part in history, I advise you look out for ANZACS.


- bravo Australia
the first time i saw this series it was with much dread. within the first five minutes i was glued. the story line was easy to follow, humorous, thanks to Pat Cleary, and above all informative. It shows a wonderful portrait of the diggers whom forsaked even their own families and lives to make this world a better place. Well done to the writters and actors for showing the world who Ozzies are.


- Excellent mini-series
I refer in these comments to the full 3-video mini-series, not the truncated version or film produced for the American market.

In general, a well-produced and directed series which, with a few minor exceptions is probably as close to the true horror and carnage of the First World War as it is possible to get. Most of the minor errors can be explained by the requirements of plotting or pure visual effect and, in my opinion do not seriously detract from the overall truth of the subject matter.

It should be remembered that this series was produced for the Australians, whose culture and memory is very different to that of the Americans who seem to have a collective down on this video/film. Perhaps if our North American cousins had come into the war several years earlier and suffered the casualties the Empire did they might have a different view of the series.

The feeling throughout the series is of the AIF being abused and butchered by the incompetent British generals - and as a military historian I cannot say the series is wrong. However, other than one short scene, the series does not highlight the fact that the British were suffering just as much under their own generals.

All in all I would say the viewer would get a much better idea of what the AIF and World War I was about by seeing this mini series than by viewing Gallipoli, which is generally thought to be historically weak.

I would recommend the mini series but not the film or truncated North American video release.


- where are the repeats when you want them?
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.


- the best ever
Now I don't know about the edited film version (I would never watch it) but the mini series, the original 5 part version, is not only a brilliant piece of work, it stands as an historical document of the great war that has never been bettered and never will. It is essential viewing that we should all be aware of, and what the fight for democracy was all about, it's interesting to see that a modern day 'band of brothers' is very much in the same vein, no glorification, concentrating on the human side, comedy, love, comradeship, death and the utter desolation of being born at that point in history and to take part in that awful war. There are no negatives about this series, it's a perfect synopsis of the human race in the 20th century and the carnage that we are capable of committing, yet the true brotherhood that existed in these times, if only the leaders were capable of it.


- Excellant Aussie WWI Mini Series
Excellant drama that charts the story of an ANZAC (Australian New Zealand Army Corps) volunteer regiment from Gallipoli through to the end of the war. It is a story of tragedy and triumph, laughs and tears and is a series I can't wait to get the opportunity to watch again.


Cast overview, first billed only:
Andrew Clarke .... Cpl. Martin Barrington
Paul Hogan .... Pvt. Pat Cleary
Megan Williams .... Nurse Kate Baker
Mark Hembrow .... Pvt. Dick Baker
Jon Blake .... Pvt. Flanagan
Christopher Cummins .... Pvt. Roly Collins
Tony Bonner .... Lt. Harold Armstrong
Shane Briant .... Sgt. James 'Kaiser' Schmidt
Alec Wilson .... Sgt. Alec 'Pudden' Parsons
Patrick Ward .... Sgt. Tom McArther
Jonathan Sweet .... C.S.M. Bill Harris
Peter Finlay .... L.C.P.T. Bluey
Jim Holt .... Pvt. 'Dingo Gordon
David Bradshaw .... Keith Murdoch
Edmund Pegge .... Captain Young

Also Known As:
"Anzacs: The War Down Under" (1985) (mini)
Runtime: 3 DVD- 9 hours
Country: Australia
Language: English
Color: Color