Original subtitles

(MILITARISTIC DRUMMING)

(THEME MUSIC)

Nah, I'm out. What have you got?

Good luck, fellas. It's up to you.

Do we have to play with him? (Men laugh)

He's using the same currency we're using, isn't he?

Right. I'll see ya.

I've got five picture cards. Is that any good, Pat?

Five kings! (Men laugh)

Bloody... God's sake!

Jesus!

Sh... (Groans)

What are you doing?!

MAN: Get out! (COMMOTION)

Get out!

(PLAYFUL MUSIC)

(Laughs)

(Groans)

Is this number four section? It was till you got here!

Oh. Uh, I'm the new reinforcement.

(Laughs) (Sarcastically) Oh, great!

You've done more damage in one hit than Fritz did in four weeks.

(Nervously) Oh, well, I'll fix it for youse.

Here. Don't touch anything. Just... just walk through.

OK. (WOOD CLATTERS)

(Roly laughs) Just walk up there to laughing boy.

Right out of the way.

Right, mate? Yeah, fine. Uh, my name's Carter.

Yeah, Cyclone Carter.

Yeah, I'm the new replacement on the Lewis gun,

the new number two.

(SOLEMN MUSIC)

Hmm. Did I say something wrong?

Nah, of course not, mate.

Bluey over there's always looked after his number twos,

haven't you, mate?

There's been a few, has there? Mmm.

Oh, I see.

Well, maybe I'm the one to break the mozz, eh?

(Laughs) Yeah, you're lucky enough.

Is all that money mine, Pat? I want a chance to win it back.

What was all the racket about? You throwing a party?

(Bangs tin) Yeah, a friend just dropped in.

(Laughs mirthlessly) I'd bury that stew if I were you.

I'm Carter, mate. How you going?

Welcome aboard. Mate.

See anything, Sharkey?

Yes, Mr Flanagan.

Two blackbirds having a naughty

and something that looks like a half-starved magpie.

Don't youse blokes like that Mr Flanagan or something?

Why do you say that?

Well... well, why were you laughing and?

Oh, it doesn't pay to let officers get ahead of themselves, mate.

Oh, I see. (Laughs)

Yeah, I suppose not, eh? (Men laugh)

(GENERAL CHATTER)

MAN: Get me a beer, man.

Stone the bloody crows! These Yanks have only just got here!

They look as if they've bought the place.

I'm feeling lucky. Got the dice? Got them right here.

AMERICAN SOLDIER: Let's go.

OK, guys, who wants some action, huh?

(MELLOW PIANO MUSIC PLAYS IN BAR)

AMERICAN SOLDIER: Come on! Six! (Groans excitedly)

(Men whoop and holler)

AMERICAN SOLDIER: 800,000!

AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER: Language everybody understands, huh?

Here we go. Come on. Come, 7. Come, 11.

7! Ha!

Come on. Come on. What are you fellas playing?

Craps. Ah, 11! Come on.

Is that a gambling game? Yep.

For money? Do you think this is grapefruit?

(GROANING)

Can I play? You got any money?

Oh, I got a bit.

(Excitedly) Sir! (Hollers excitedly)

You are surely welcome!

Thank you very much.

Pat'll fix them. Dead right, Pudden.

And when he's taken all their money, they'll have to go home, won't they?

AMERICAN SOLDIER: Here! Seven!

Come on!

(Gleefully) 11!

Come on. Come on.

MEN: Eight!

MAN: I win!

(Men whoop and holler)

How'd you go, Pat? Oh, not too good.

You mean, you lost? Yeah.

How much?

The lot.

(Yelps) (GLASS BREAKS)

Craps - stupid bloody game, anyway.

(HOLLERING) Let's go.

See anything, Carter?

Oh, yeah, I seen three blackbirds and they were...

Forget the wildlife, mate!

I'm talking about Germans - the ones with the funny helmets.

Uh, no, never seen any of them, sir.

Well, keep looking. Yes, sir.

Keeping the company going with laughs and smiles, Pat?

What's up with Cleary? Did he lose his rabbit's foot?

No, the Yanks cleaned him right out at craps.

Whoo-hoo! Now we do have a morale problem, hey?

Thanks, skipper.

What do you make of it, Bill? Never been this quiet.

I reckon Fritz has just about shot his bolt.

I don't know. There's still about 200 divvies of them out there.

Hmm. Maybe.

Kaiser was talking to a German prisoner the other day.

The German front-line soldier

is now more worried about his folks starving back home.

It's time we should end it, then.

You're that keen? No, mate. I just want to go home.

Sort us some of them grenades there, will you, Pud?

As my old grandad said,

"Worry never made the family fortune."

What did your dad say?

I don't know. Like you, I never met him.

(Men laugh)

Where are you going? Just going to have a look around.

The Germans are over that way, Pat. So are the souvenirs, mate.

Souvenirs mean money.

Yeah, but Fritz'll get...

I've got to get a bankroll if I'm going to win back that money I lost.

Listen, Pat, if Bill finds out about...

Shh! Anyone dobs me in, they're on 10% interest.

(Cocks gun)

(MEN SPEAK IN GERMAN)

(BOTTLES CLINK)

(Stamps foot)

A bit early in the day for getting stuck into the slops, isn't it, boys?

No.

(PLAYFUL MUSIC)

Always a pleasure to deal with old soldiers.

They know the score.

Does anyone speak English? Ja. A little.

Good. Do you blokes always start out the day with a champagne breakfast?

Breakfast? We're lucky to get dinner!

We have come here from the field kitchen.

Our cook... (Laughs dismissively)

...our cook has nothing but black bread - such bread...

Hey! Slowly, Fritz.

Hans. OK. Hans.

It's half-timber... Nein... Saw...

Sawdust? Ja.

(Sniffs) Eugh! What else is in it? (Men laugh)

Anyway, where you blokes are going, there's lots of tucker. Er, food.

Have you bully beef? Crikey, you must be starving!

Yeah, tons of it. Hey, Fleisch. Essen. Bully beef!

Anyway, let's get going.

Uh, hang on, no point in leaving the plonk.

Grab four bottles each.

Vier Flaschen. Alle!

(BIRDS TWITTER)

(LAUGHTER)

Roly. Roly!

(MILITARISTIC DRUMMING)

What is it, mate? There's something out there.

Hang on.

(Men laugh and cheer)

Good on ya, Pat!

(German soldiers sing 'lt's a Long Way to Tipperary')

(Men sing) It's a long way to Tipperary...

Yes, sir, I do agree that would be the best course.

They're going to throw the book at him?

No. As a matter of fact, the colonel commends his initiative.

He also said that if things are like Pat reckons,

it's time to stir Fritz up.

Pat's sortie was a fluke! Agreed.

But sooner or later, the brass hats will demand

identification of German units opposite,

and when they do, they'll insist on the old trench raid, 1916-style.

Crikey, the boys will jack up. They were murder!

I reckon. That's why we're going to do it our way.

Half-platoon stunt for a start.

He wants us to approach from the east.

We want Kaiser, Bluey and Pudden...

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Bleib still. Gebe auf!

Es ist hoffnungslos. Die Australians sind uberall.

Raus!

Good work, boys.

Ah! Guten Abend!

(Speaks German)

Das ist ja kein Krieg. Genug.

Unglaublich! Genug!

(Speaks German)

Pat? Any more? All clear, mate.

('DAS LIED DER DEUTSCHEN' PLAYS)

Cleary! Go on, get out of here.

The rest of you, likewise. Up! Come on! Raus!

Kaiser, notify Battalion,

"New company position 500 yards forward."

And add, "Operation 'Peaceful Penetration' successful."

ROLY: The appointment of a new general at Corps headquarters

doesn't usually generate much excitement in the front-line digger.

But General Monash - a part-timer, not a regular -

was an interesting choice.

Change was very definitely in the air.

Gentlemen, the Corps commander, Lieutenant General Monash.

Sit down, gentlemen.

From today,

the five Australian divisions will be grouped into one army corps...

...with an Australian commander.

This has taken nearly four years to achieve.

From now on, we fight side by side.

One more point before we move on to the agenda.

During the wild emergencies of last month,

when we and the New Zealanders and the Canadians

played the larger part in stopping the German offensive...

...and when, at one time,

the Australians held over 30% of the British front,

there was no mention of our role in official communiques.

I have informed GHQ that Australians are a nation of sportsmen.

They like to see the scores go up on the board.

MEN: Hear, hear!

This will be our policy from now on.

We have 54 items on the agenda. Let us begin, Blamey.

Item one,

the training of all brigades in close cooperation with tanks.

AMERICAN SOLDIER: Alright, move your asses, boneheads!

You walk like your old mother! Hurry up! Hurry up!

Don't you know your left foot from your right, mister?

(PLAYFUL MUSIC)

Left, left.

Left, right, left.

Left...

Hey, Pat! (Laughs)

Hey, Marty! Hey, how are you, mate? Good.

Hang on a second. Hey! Get out!

Bludger's been shunting me up and down the paddock all day.

When'd you get down here? Uh, yesterday.

A whole mob of us come down to train these Yanks.

They're keen as mustard too. Remind me of myself in 1914.

(Laughs) You?

Oh, well, the others, then.

Hey, something big in the wind? Yeah, yeah. Big enough.

Every time I've heard that these last three years,

we've ended up the well-known creek in a barbed-wire canoe.

Not this time. In any case, you blokes won't be in it.

Music to my ears. When are you coming to see us?

As soon as the boss lets me. MONASH: Captain Barrington?

Who's that? The boss.

Crikey! I better be off. Good to see you, Pat.

Come on!

Come on, you bastard!

Right, now this is the arrowhead formation.

Very handy in advancing across open country

while still affording some flank protection.

Now, the Lewis gun is placed on the open flank,

or high ground.

Look at him! He looks like a staff officer too.

Marty! (Laughs)

Kaiser, Pud, how are you?

Strike me, eh? Flash Jack from Gundagai.

Flanagan.

Stand fast. Carry on, Lieutenant.

I'm not used to seeing

my staff officers greeted so affectionately.

My old platoon, sir.

Obviously haven't forgotten you. No, sir.

I don't suppose I could just? We're too busy, Barrington.

Yes, sir.

You have timings for the tank night march to the start line?

Yes. Also a schedule of flights to cover noise.

I want you to go over every inch of their route,

recheck all timings and have it on General Blamey's desk tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

If things go to plan -

I can't imagine them not, seeing what a stickler for detail he is -

we could have a cheap win.

In turn, that could mark the way for the future.

Marty? Hmm?

Is that offer still open?

What? Marriage?

Hey?

Love, why don't you ask them to send you home now?

Then I could hand in my resignation.

Maybe we could even travel back together.

We could be out of this in weeks.

(Sighs) Love, it sounds wonderful,

but I can't.

Why?

After four years, you just can't walk out.

I mean, there's too many...

Look, we're getting near the end. We can finish it soon, I know.

Who's 'we'? The AIF, the Corps, the battalion.

I can't leave while they're still here.

Hey? Are you OK? I'm fine.

Won't be long, love.

No.

BLAMEY: The batteries are in place - 640 guns in all.

The infantry brigades are moving up into the concealed positions.

There's been no enemy reaction so far.

This one must go perfectly, Blamey, to show there is another way.

(BELL CHIMES)

Well, Blamey?

The US commander-in-chief has withdrawn authority

to use his troops in the attack on Hamel.

Damn it! At the eleventh hour!

General Pershing has his President's authority

that the US Army will only be committedto battle under its own commanders.

I wish we'd had that authority in 1916!

This has been discussed for weeks.

Why now?!

The plan's unworkable without them.

There's no chance of getting extra Australian troops up in time.

From one side of France to the other is about 700 miles, right?

And one side of Australia is about...

(MELLOW PIANO MUSIC PLAYS IN BAR)

Here, you blokes.

Hey, Roly? Mind that for me, will you?

Saving up for your wedding present.

We ain't coming.

We've been three weeks training with you guys -

'Black Jack' leaves it to the home turn to pull out.

Yeah, American Independence Day, and we're going to look yellow.

Goddamn!

Never thought I'd be ashamed of the United States uniform.

I've even written to my folks, saying, "We'll be with the Aussies."

Yeah, and my grandaddy was second man up on Missionary Ridge.

I mean, what the hell would he be thinking now?

Go ahead anyway. Yeah! That's what he'd say!

But we'd stand out

like a pimple on a goddamn pumpkin.

I could fix that for you.

Say, that's great!

How many more you reckon you'll want?

About 15. Do that easy.

Hey, gee, how can we ever thank you?

Oh, well, there'll be a small handling fee to cover my costs.

Yeah, sure, sure. And there's a condition.

If you're going to wear Aussie uniforms,

you can't play that game of craps anymore.

You'll have to play two-up.

Two what? Up.

What's that? Some kind of soda pop?

(Laughs) No, it's a game of chance.

It involves throwing two pennies in the air.

(Laughs) Sounds like kids' stuff. Yeah. Pretty straightforward.

Anyway, as soon as you get the uniforms on,

we'll whip outside and get started on the two-up.

Make you look like authentic Aussies, you know?

Righto. Righto. Come in spinner.

Come on, tails. Heads. Heads.

What will you do when you are home in Australia?

I don't know, really.

You will make boots? (Laughs)

No, I could never go back to that again.

I thought I might be a writer. Oh, you'll make a good writer.

Why will I be a good writer? Pat thinks you're a good writer.

He says you are a bloody marvellous writer.

Well, I'd better give it a go, then...

...when we get back.

You are going back with Pat?

(Sighs) Marie, I don't really care what Pat does.

I thought you and me might go back to Australia together...

(HOLLERING)

...if you wanted to.

That's what I thought. I don't know what you think.

Obviously, there's a lot to consider.

You don't just pack up and take off for another country

without a lot of thought and...

Damn stupid game.

You're just starting to get the hang of it.

Back tails this time.

Heads. Who wants a head? (Sarcastically) Yeah.

(ENGINE RUMBLES AND SQUEAKS)

All my little beauties made it up...

...with five minutes to spare.

OK, men. Line up on the white tape.

And, er, what part of Australia does he come from?

Oh, I think it's a little place called Chicago -

some place in Tasmania.

Five, four, three, two, one.

(AIRCRAFT ENGINES RUMBLE)

Alright, guys. This is it. (WHISTLE BLOWS)

(TANK ENGINE REVS)

Cheerio, old man.

Oh, no, it's not cheerio. I'm coming with you.

Wouldn't miss it for quids.

Good luck.

Do sit down, Blamey. I can't concentrate.

Have we left anything to chance?

(Sighs) Not that I can think of.

Well, then.

Coffee?

(THUNDEROUS RUMBLING)

(Sings 'La Marseillaise' tune)

Shouldn't that be an Australian flag? Or at least American?

No, mate.

It's to let Fritz know that Hamel is once more part of France.

Permanently.

Did you lose your way, Captain? Corps HQ is miles that way.

I wondered what all the noise was about.

(Laughs) How did it go?

Like clockwork. Makes a nice change, doesn't it?

Doesn't it?

Like a lift, old man? Willie!

Come for a ride.

How you been? Oh, good. And you?

Barrington! Send him in.

Barrington? He's been missing since zero hour.

I ordered him brought up as soon as he surfaced.

Where the hell have you been?

Carrying out your directives, sir.

My what?

Well, your instructions were, to quote you, sir,

"Observe the operation of tanks

"and be prepared to recommend improvements in techniques."

I did not mean involving yourself in the thick of battle.

Sir, if I was to comply with your instructions,

I had to be where the tanks were.

Don't be impertinent with me!

Captain Barrington.

Do you think you could share with us

the benefits of your close observations?

Well, there were a few problems, sir.

It was too dark at zero hour to see much.

We need a better system of target indication.

But in daylight hours they were first-rate.

Thank you, Captain.

Sir.

Oh, Barrington.

A glass of brandy to celebrate the fact that you're still with us.

Thank you, sir.

And to fortify you for the job ahead.

I've submitted plans to General Rawlinson

for a much bigger attack - the whole Corps this time.

Well, I look forward to the detailed planning, sir.

After which, may I be permitted to resubmit my application?

Hmm?

His weekly request to be posted back to his old battalion.

(POIGNANT CHORD)

(Shouts) Step up the pace!

Stone the bloody crows.

What are we? Packhorses or racehorses?

There's not too many thoroughbreds around here, Pat.

Not in front of me, there ain't. You'll keep.

ROLY: We were finally in open country.

The trenches and the mud were left far behind us.

This suited the diggers down to the ground

and they went at it with all their might.

It soon became clear that we'd dealt old Fritz a knockout blow.

A lot of them surrendered, but some, particularly the machine-gunners,

fought to the last.

Later we heard that the German Chief Ludendorff

declared that this battle was the black day of the German Army...

...the day in which they lost the war.

How far to the front, digger? Another five miles.

Five miles? Went through Fritz like a packet of salts.

Five miles in one day. What's this war coming to?

Yeah, and to think it took nearly six months to take Passchendaele.

You didn't have to run five miles to buy into a fight then.

Put the muzzle cover on. You'll need all your breath.

Come on the 8th. Mates in the Pup Battalion are getting knocked about.

What's he mean, Pup Battalion?

They were formed out of us after Gallipoli.

The 8th gave pups and they produced the 60th Battalion.

Got yourself a Blighty leave, have you?

Crikey! Are you still alive, Cleary?

Still got that double-headed penny?

(PLANE BUZZES)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(MAJESTIC MUSIC)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(TENSE MUSIC)

(EXPLOSIONS)

(MUSIC BUILDS)

I'll catch you up. Where's the artillery?

We outran 'em.

What about the tanks?

They all got bent yesterday.

(EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE)

(GUNSHOTS)

(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

Get on the ground!

You bloody mongrels!

What they've done, they don't get away with that!

Just cover 'em!

This NCO's been bashed from behind.

Easy, mate.

(Speaks German)

They wanted to surrender but the corporal kept shooting.

They had to stop him, OK?

Alright.

(Yells) Move on!

Haut ab! Schnell!

(EXPLOSIONS)

Bloody counterattack! (Shouts) Forward at the double!

We won't be going anywhere with those buggers up there, mate.

We'll have to knock 'em.

Going to be expensive. Taken 20% casualties already.

That's what we get paid for, mate.

I reckon the two old stagers should lead this one.

If you insist.

(Shouts) Carter, go left!

Stay down!

Is yours right, Bill? Right.

(MACHINERY CHURNS)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

Don't leave me, Mother!

(Shouts) Cover!

(Speaks German)

Hey!

It's noisy up there, isn't it?

Get in. Tell Willie what you want. He'll do the rest.

(Muffled shout) Now move!

Fire away!

(Screams) Ahhh!

(All cheer quietly)

Good on you, mate.

That last one was game, eh? Yeah. He nearly took my head off.

You rode up? Yeah.

Did you expect me to walk all this way to take command of the company?

Congratulations, mate.

(Shouts) Martin!

Roly, how are you?

The old hands OK, huh? So far.

The company's all yours, sir.

Thank you. Carry on, Mr Flanagan.

And look after that platoon of reprobates!

(GENERAL CHATTER)

What's going on? The Great War, mate.

It's in all the papers. Thanks.

(Shouts) Gas!

Get the masks on.

(Yelps)

(Coughs)

Ahhh! My eyes!

(Continues coughing)

(Man shouts) Stretcher-bearer!

Any news on the 1 st Division?

Oh, very little, sir. We've advanced 10 miles.

So fast, in fact, we've outrun communications.

We'll put every available unit on to it. I have, sir.

There are a few messages I think you should hear, sir.

Hmm?

The army commander will visit the HQ tomorrow.

Good. We can talk about communications.

Followed by the commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Haig.

Also the Chief of the lmperial General Staff

will be coming from London with Winston Churchill

and the Prince of Wales.

Good Lord, man, have we got enough...

Ah. There's more, sir.

Congratulations from all the prime ministers

and the American President.

Generalissimo Marshal Foch is also coming,

and the Premier of France, Monsieur Clemenceau,

has expressed a wish to visit you personally.

I'm sorry, Blamey. It's a little sudden.

It's a great honour they pay you, sir.

Not to me. To the men who are still fighting out there.

The... er... lucky last, sir.

A message from the Palace.

King George will arrive in two days...

...to knight you in the field.

Well done, sir.

Hiya, sweetheart.

Roly?

Kate?

Yes. I only just found out.

Oh, it's only a mouthful of that blue cross gas.

But I must say, it's been a nice week's rest.

If only I could see to write up my diary.

Well, I could come next week and give you a hand.

That's real nice, Kate.

But I gotta be getting back.

Besides, I'll be fine by then.

We could organise you a week's convalescence by the sea.

Thanks, Kate, but I gotta be getting back.

Why in God's name do you all feel the need to rush back?!

Because the platoon's down to 15 blokes.

But that's not your concern.

You've done your share.

Yeah, but I have to look at myself in the mirror.

Martin's going real well.

What?

He's our company commander now.

He turned up on this tank and captured a machine-gun post.

Well, he's been in the thick of it ever since.

He says that the Germans are just about done for.

And if we keep on pushing hard

the whole thing could be over in a few weeks.

Oh, you'd be real proud of him, Kate.

(SAD MUSIC)

Ta, mate.

Bloody hell. What a waste of a break!

What are you going crook about? You're on 5%.

You said 10% last night.

Alright, 10%.

I didn't want to miss this opportunity, mate.

I'm overstocked with Lugers

and this bloke here at the 60th, he's overstocked with helmets.

You're a worry sometimes, Cleary.

Free enterprise, mate. It's called free enterprise.

(GENERAL CHATTER)

Righto, Snow, that's good.

But we're going to need these returns in triplicate

from now on, alright?

Listen, Frank, make out another requisition order form for rations

and send it in, even if the bastards aren't taking any notice of it.

Hope it's good news, sir.

The order stands. The battalion must be broken up.

Sir, we'll obey every order except that one.

We won't see the end of the 60th.

You're aware that reinforcements from Australia are drying up,

that we can't build all the battalions up to strength?

Military common sense dictates

that some battalions must be broken up to strengthen the others.

Sir, you've always taught us

that loyalty to the battalion is our first duty.

Well, a lot of good men have died believing that.

To all of us here, particularly the originals,

the battalion is the only home we've got after four years away.

It's what we fight for.

You realise there could be serious consequences?

Doesn't seem much compared to losing the battalion and all its memories.

Sir, the men here have talked about it.

We're agreed on this course of action.

We've elected our company commanders,

guards and pickets will be maintained

and the battalion administration will carry on as normal.

(SOLEMN MUSIC)

Uh, just one more thing, sir.

The boys have asked

to be put into the hottest spot in the coming attacks

so either there won't be a battalion left

or our reputation will be so bloody good they won't dare break us up.

The good old 60th, eh? That's a real jack up.

Yeah, fine point of law, Pat.

In the British Army they'd call that a mutiny.

Bill, you Pommy bastard.

You still don't understand us, do you?

I'll explain to you, lad.

I mean, you didn't expect me not to go back, did you?

No. But I hoped.

(POP!)

Madame.

Je vous felicite, mes enfants. Merci.

The best? Of course.

It goes with this.

(ROMANTIC MUSIC)

It won't bite.

(MUSIC SWELLS)

Er, it goes on the left hand.

Damn you, Martin.

(Sighs) It wasn't supposed to be like this.

Not here, not...

Love, the war's almost over.

Another push, the Germans will be...

Shhh.

Oh, Kaiser, old mate. Make yourself comfortable.

Must be very tiring for you watching men work like this.

I haven't seen you go so hard since we dug in at Pozieres.

It's for the 60th, mate. The brass have cut off their supplies.

Oh, the jack up? Yeah.

So all of the battalions are 'losing' some of their supplies.

We pick them up here and sneak them in the back way.

The other five battalions, are they still out?

Oh, yeah, they're all good union men.

Alright, who's in charge of this bunfight?

G'day, Pat. What have you got for us?

Oh, real gourmet stuff, Huddo.

Bully beef, anzac wafers.

You'll need the usual sledgehammers and false teeth with them, though.

Unload it, you lot. Quick, before he decides to flog it to the French.

I suppose you're eating in the officers' mess these days.

Yeah, that'll be the day. Acting colonel.

How are the boys holding up?

Oh, they're rock-solid.

It's a bad do, Pat.

Here we've got the best battalion in the AIF.

Hey! Except for the 8th.

Yeah? Who stopped the Germans at Villers-Bretonneux?

Who stopped them at Hazebrouck?

Fritz is on the run because he won't stand up to Aussie battalions.

Why break up the 60th in the last minutes of the final quarter?

Makes no bloody sense. Yeah.

What has in the last four years?

The battalion officers are with us.

They come over for a yarn but don't make any impression higher up.

I am looking for the individual who's in command,

in charge of this battalion.

You're looking at him, sir.

The battalion will parade immediately.

Who says?

Brigadier General Elliott.

Pompey.

That makes a difference.

Pompey himself.

What do you blokes reckon?

He's a real fighting man, Jimmy. Wouldn't be here for nothing.

If we parade, it's the end of the battalion.

We'll listen to what he has to say.

Tell the brigadier general there'll be a battalion parade in 15 minutes.

Men of the 60th.

You know me and I know most of you.

In the ranks I see a few faces...

...pathetically few...

...of the men who fought their way up the gullies of Anzac

with the old 8th.

I see men who were carried from the ditches at Fromelles...

...who refused to give up

even when the battalion was almost wiped out.

I see others who survived

the terrible storm of fire on the Somme and at Bullecourt.

But most of all,

I see the battalion that was one of the victors of Villers-Bretonneux

when, in the darkest days of the war, you snatched victory out of defeat

and fostered hope in the face of despair.

You're an example to all the Allied armies.

You are a living history of the deeds of the Anzacs.

You put Australia's name before the world.

In a moment I'm going to give you an order.

And I want you to think carefully what you are going to do.

Now, you all know me well enough to know

that I have never begged anything of you.

I will not do so now.

But I will ask you to think of Australia and the Anzacs.

Our name is feared and respected

on both sides of the line.

You must do nothing to tarnish it now.

The war is approaching its climax.

The end is in sight.

Let's finish it together.

Battalion... dismissed!

(TENSE MUSIC)

(DISTANT EXPLOSIONS ECHO)

(FOREBODING MUSIC)

Move!

(ACTION MUSIC)

(MILITARY DRUMBEATS)

Bloody hell! It's Marty and Company HQ.

They're walkin' right into it.

(GUNFIRE)

Open up on 'em.

(RAPID GUNFIRE)

(HEROIC MUSIC)

Now! Cover that flank!

Argh!

Sit down, mate. You're not goin' anywhere.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

Luck of the Irish.

That's extraordinary, mate. That was exactly how I planned to do it.

If they ever have that event in the Olympics,

I'm backin' you for the gold medal.

He deserves better than that. Well done, mate.

You were a bit close.

If I wasn't, I wouldn't have seen it to believe it.

Hey, go easy!

Runner!

Thank you, Pud.

Exceptional work, mate.

The nights are gettin' chilly again. (Sighs)

(Chuckles) How many jumping-off tapes, huh? How many zero hours?

Too bloody many, mate.

Ah, there won't be many more.

I hope so, or there won't be many more Anzacs.

It'll be over in a few weeks. Where have I heard that before?

(Laughs)

So, how are the boys?

Just about buggered.

(SHELLS EXPLODE)

(Blows whistle)

(TENSE MUSIC)

Keep your head down, buddy. Yeah.

(MUSIC SWELLS)

(GUNFIRE)

After them. Don't let up the pressure.

And the diehards in the houses?

I'll take care of those with the reserve.

Right.

Kaiser!

Righto, lads. Time for the rat hunt.

(Fires gun repeatedly)

Bill! Sir?

Bill! Take the rest of the men to the edge of the village.

Sounds like they need you. There's a few houses left yet.

Pud and I will take care of those.

Well, go on!

Private Parsons, make sure you take care of the captain.

Lads! Follow me!

(TENSE MUSIC)

Let's go, Pud. Martin!

(GUNSHOT)

You bastard!

(GUNSHOT)

(GUNSHOT)

(DISTANT EXPLOSIONS ECHO)

Ah, shit!

MARTIN.' " Lieutenant Flanagan.

"Recommendation for the Victoria Cross.

"On the morning of 3 October.

"A concealed German machine - gun unit vVhich vVas disposed...

(VOICE FADES)

(DISTANT EXPLOSIONS ECHO)

(Cries)

(Writes)

(COUGHING)

Kate? Mmm?

There's an officer out there asking for you.

Can you relieve me for five minutes? Of course.

(MELANCHOLY MUSIC)

It's Martin.

Do you want to hear about it?

He wasn't even fit.

And he should have been home in Australia.

It was his decision.

Oh, yes. He had to get back to the battalion.

You'd be the same way, wouldn't you?

Maybe.

Bloody men.

The stupid 2nd!

(Sobs)

(Sighs)

I've been expecting it.

But as the weeks got on...

...I began to hope.

Hope?!

That's for foolish young girls.

Nothing ever changes.

Sometimes.

(Sighs)

(BIRDSONG)

George!

(Gasps for breath)

Martin!

(Continues to breathe rapidly)

No!

No!

You know, yesterday was the fourth anniversary of my enlistment, Kaiser.

Sometimes it seems like a week, other times, half a bloody century.

What about you, mate? How long you been in?

How long? Let me see.

1,034 days.

Ah, you're a methodical bugger, aren't you?

Goes with a name like Schmidt.

Crikey! An Aussie German, eh? What a mixture!

What about your relations on the other side?

Do you reckon they'll chuck in the towel?

There's stories of famine and revolution in Germany.

But they are stubborn people.

If we strike fresh troops with a half-strength battalion...

We'll deal with it, mate.

Bill, fall 'em out, mate.

Fall out! Break out the rations!

(MOTORC YCLE CHUGS)

Let's see what we've got for breakfast today.

Bully beef... bully beef...

...bully.

What have you got, Bill?

Bully.

Oh, good.

Wouldn't want 'em to spoil us and soften us by giving us fancy tucker

like baked beans and stew.

Das sind die Australians. Sie sind animals.

Hey, Kaiser, what are those kids sayin'?

They are saying that we're Australians.

They've heard about us.

They say that we're like animals in battle.

Oh, that's not very nice.

Mind you, I know a few blokes who turn into animals in the boozer.

I can't tell if they mean it as a compliment.

Wann habt ihr zuletzt gegessen?

Seit 14 Tagen nichts ist durchgekommen.

They haven't had proper rations in a fortnight.

Well, it's either that or eat behind a tree.

(Soldier shouts in German)

Fur ein paar bisschen Fleisch, leckt ihr den Feind am Arsch.

So ein Gesindel. Mit so was kann man kein Krieg gewinnen.

What was that all about, Kais?

He calls them "snivelling cowards".

"No wonder they lost the war.

"They'd suck up to the enemy for a can of corned beef."

I'll snot the bastard.

Take it easy, Pat. He's just doing his job, mate.

Doing his job?

Well, if that's what rank does to a man...

...you can stick it.

Your war is finished, pal.

Nein. Wir kommen wieder. Darauf konnt ihr euch verlassen.

Aber erstmals mussen wir die Bolsheviken fertig machen

die uns in Rucken gestochen haben.

Kaiser?

He says, "We will be back.

"But first we will attend to the Bolsheviks and profiteers back home

"who have stabbed Germany in the back."

Ask him if he'll accept a tin of bully from me.

Ja.

MAN: All officers to headquarters!

SECOND MAN: Oh, shit! Here we go again.

Alright, I'll be the mug. What's happening?

Boys...

...you've all just lost your jobs.

As of 1100 tomorrow, an armistice.

All fini.

(JO YFUL MUSIC BUILDS)

It's over.

(All chatter excitedly)

(Laughs)

(All cheer and laugh)

(All whoop and holler)

(POIGNANT MUSIC)

(Sobs)

And that's an end to it.

No more tears.

Not even for him?

No.

Nor for all the others who drove themselves back to the battalion.

I don't think you understand, Kate.

(Shouts weepily) Of course I don't bloody understand!

I wouldn't be tearing myself apart like this if I understood.

He wanted me.

I wanted him.

He could have gone home... honourably...

...and waited for me.

Can I read you something?

(Reads) "In bitter safety I awake, unfriended

"And while the dawn begins with slashing rain

"I think of the Battalion in the mud.

"'When are you going out with them again?

"'Are they still not your brothers through our blood?"'

(EMOTIVE MUSIC)

Did you write that?

I wish I had.

You see, it was nearly four years, Kate.

If he'd gone home, he would have been...

...well, a stranger.

Not to me.

I don't know.

(Sighs)

The whole thing was a stupid, useless mess.

All those lives...

...just thrown away.

He died for nothing.

I honestly don't think you're right, Kate.

Well, what were you fighting for, then? Your precious battalion?

That'll be a great comfort to the orphans and the widows.

300,000 of us volunteered from a tiny country.

Are we all fools?

Who knows with Australian men?

It would have been wrong for us to back away from it.

We'd sorta have been agreeing with the right of Germany

to solve their problems by force.

I think most of us saw it as a fight against war.

Was it worth all this?

And what about you?

(Sighs)

(Reads) "They ask me where I've been,

"And what I've done and seen.

"But what can I reply

"Who knows it wasn't I,

"But someone just like me,

"Who went across the sea

"And with my head and hands

"Killed men in foreign lands

"Though I must bear the blame

"Because he bore my name."

Oh!

Oh, poor, lonely Roly.

(MELANCHOLY MUSIC)

(JAZZ MUSIC)

(Band sings) How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm

After they've seen Paree?

How you gonna keep 'em away from Broadway?

Jazzin' around, painting the town

How you gonna keep 'em...

Hey. Pat!

Oh, mon Dieu, you are back.

Oh, you are back.

Oh, oui.

Hello. Vive la France. Vive la France. Oui!

Ah, Captain.

Ah, monsieur. Hello, hello.

Hello, hello.

Where is Roly? He's coming.

Ah, oui.

How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm

After they've seen Paree?

How you gonna keep 'em away from Broadway?

Jazzin' around, painting the town

How you gonna keep 'em away from Broadway?

That's the mystery

They'll never wanna see a rake or a plough

And who the deuce can parlez-vous a cow?

How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm

After they've seen Paree?

(APPLAUSE)

SONG: Mademoiselle from Armentieres, parlez-vous?

Mademoiselle from Armentieres She hasn't been kissed for 40 years

Inky-pinky parlez-vous...

(SONG CONTINUES)

(Both speak inaudibly)

Sydney City and Dandenong

We'll think of you as they battle along

Inky-pinky parlez-vous...

Cheers. Cheers.

Glad you could make it.

Figured out what you're gonna do when you get back home?

Yeah. I'm gonna set up a specialised machinery business.

How about you? Staying with nursing?

Uh-uh. Back to the bush, then?

Anywhere but.

You, uh, ever been in business?

No.

But I could learn.

I bet you could.

I'd know where to get some capital.

Exactly what I was thinking...

...partner.

(ORCHESTRA PLAYS 'LA MARSEILLAISE')

(ORCHESTRA PLAYS 'RULE BRITANNIA')

(ORCHESTRA PLAYS TARANTELLA)

(ORCHESTRA PLAYS 'STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER')

(ORCHESTRA PLAYS 'WALTZING MATILDA')

You seen the routine orders?

You've been running the company well enough without me, mate.

Alright, but keep it short.

For a start, it details the shipping arrangements.

It seems the AIF is priority Z.

So the 1914 men are to go home first followed by the 1915s and so on,

as shipping becomes available.

So the old battalions will just fade away in dribs and drabs, eh?

No heroes' march down the main street?

And the folks back home will never see them as they really were.

No.

Maybe just as well.

Then there's a whole lot of details - timings, movement...

Hey! Your department, Bill.

Then we come to part two - awards and decorations.

11-73, Captain R. Flanagan. 8th Australian Infantry Battalion.

"On the morning of 3 October 1918,

"Lieutenant Flanagan's company

"came upon a well-sighted German machine-gun position

"which was disposed to inflict heavy casualties on the unit.

"With complete disregard for his personal safety,

"Lieutenant Flanagan..."

Stop!

It's the Victoria Cross.

Martin.

He's here.

I tore...

How the bloody hell?! I tore that out!

Easy, mate. Easy.

He sent the top copy back by runner.

Anyway, there were other witnesses.

Two signals.

Congrats from General Monash

and arrangements for the investiture at Buckingham Palace.

Not bad for an amateur, Flanagan.

(Softly) Oh, God.

ROLY: Way off the coast of WA,

a few of the diggers

reckoned they could smell the gum trees and wild flowers.

It was a tradition among homeward-bound Aussies,

like seeing who was the first to sight the Southern Cross.

The question I most dread from the family is "What was it like?"

I wouldn't know what to say.

And not being able to talk means that us and our families

will live with a four-year gap for the rest of our lives.

It's not that Australia's changed, we have.

A lot of us beyond recognition.

Not all, though.

Some never do.

(HARMONICA PLAYS)

Something wrong, Mr Earnshaw?

I've been waiting for you, Conductor. Do you hear that?

What's wrong?

It's a tramp or swagman next door.

He's even got the cheek to kick up a row.

No wonder the railways are running at a loss.

You mean Mr Cleary, sir?

Mr Cleary?! Democracy's run riot in this country.

Well, Mr Cleary has a valid first-class ticket, sir.

Then why the devil... (HARMONICA PLAYS)

G'day. I thought I'd drop in and see if you've got any requests.

That could only be Pat.

Hey, Max.

Glad you made it, mate.

Hey, you'd be Captain Max Earnshaw, wouldn't you, sir?

Yes.

We heard about you up at Broodseinde Ridge.

I was in the 7th, you know? Were you?

There was a day.

A sergeant said a minute up there was like a lifetime elsewhere.

Yes, yes. Well, that will be all.

Uh, I think I'll open the bar next door, Max.

These blasted war memorials.

Every town in the entire electorate thinks it must have one.

Max?

It's Roly, isn't it?

Yes.

It's good to see you, Max.

I'm sorry.

Oh, that's alright.

How are you? Good.

I'm glad you could make it.

How have you been? Very well.

Come on, a bit more. Press the pedal, the clutch.

Change it into second, into second. Into second, into second.

I did. (Honks horn)

MAN: Sometimes it was alright, sometimes it would still be bad...

Well, Dad was a bit miffed.

He wanted me to pay my respects to Sir Rupert,

but three hours with Dad is enough.

Anyway, it's not every day I get to see you blokes.

So, what are you doing now, sir? Er, Max?

Well, it's really good. I'm in charge of the State braille library.

We're getting new titles all the time and there's plans for expansion.

I'm glad you're doing well, Max, 'cause it's your shout, mate.

Sorry, talking about myself again.

Bluey always said you got short arms and deep pockets.

Oh.

(HORN HONKS)

I'll line you up a beer.

So thoughtful, Bob.

(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC)

Kate.

Kate.

Come on, Katie, your beer's getting flat.

Lady Barrington, Mr Flanagan.

Oh, I've heard so much about you.

Myself likewise. Marty often spoke of you.

Shall we say dinner at the house tonight?

That would be a pleasure, thank you.

Till then.

Take it easy, love.

We expected the ghost.

Come on.

(Men chatter)

Yes, I always thought there was more to it, Pat.

Oh, no, it was strictly business.

Well, no offence meant, of course. Well, no...

Mr Armstrong?

You got here, sir.

Roly Collins.

Roly.

It's good to see you, sir.

Pat, Bill.

It's the old skipper.

Skipper.

Mr Armstrong. Bill.

Mr Armstrong.

Harold?

I heard you were still in hospital.

They let me out for the weekend.

Skipper. Pat.

Mr Armstrong.

Flanagan.

I'd like you to meet Dick Baker's sister, Kate.

Miss Baker.

How do you do?

Kaiser.

Good to see you, Bluey.

(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC)

(Clears throat)

If we're gonna treat this like a bloody funeral,

why don't we make it a fair dinkum Irish wake?

Like the time my grandad passed away.

Spare us, digger. Not that one, Pat.

Oh, alright. Fill 'em up, landlord.

Doubles all round.

Easy on, Pat. Don't get rash, mate.

You'll be dipping into our company's profits.

Good point.

Uh, put 'em on Mr Flanagan's personal account.

Hey, fair go. He hasn't changed, has he, Mr Armstrong?

Hey, fair go, mate.

(All chatter)

So, have you landed anything yet, mate?

I must've written to just about every newspaper in this country.

And?

Nothing.

There's someone I want you to meet.

His brother was in the 8th. Marty knew him.

Mr Flanagan. Mr Murdoch.

My financial editor informs me

your company's been well subscribed at the stock exchange.

You'll have to talk to my backer about that.

Mr Murdoch, I'd like you to meet one of the survivors,

one of the originals, Mr Roly Collins.

Pleased to meet you.

Mr Collins.

Roly wants to be a writer.

When he was wounded back in '17, I took a look at his diaries,

and I think he has the knack.

I left those with Pat. Martin Barrington thought so too.

Do you know where my offices are, Mr Collins?

Yes, sir.

10 o'clock Monday.

(Clears throat) Yes, yes, yes.

Look, the Government wants your full support on this repatriation bill.

(TRUMPET PLAYS)

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests,

we are here today to commemorate...

(SOMBRE MUSIC)

We're here today to commemorate the fact

that a significant proportion of the young men of this country

chose to volunteer for a war some 12,000 miles away.

It is also true that in spite of their numbers,

they greatly affected the outcome of that war -

affected it by the qualities they brought to it.

Initiative, courage,

mateship and humour.

And in particular, we come to remember one battalion -

the 8th -

which suffered some 2,000 deaths

in performance of its duties.

The numbers in every small town in this country are equally horrendous.

And only the future will determine what effect this will have

on our young country.

Of those who came through the ordeal,

I can do no better than to repeat the words of our Prime Minister.

"These men have crossed a gap

"which none of us who were not there with them

"can understand

"and that they themselves can never retreat from."

It has been widely acclaimed

that the sacrifice of our boldest and finest is justified

on the grounds that this has been a war to end wars.

This, then, truly is the time for prayer...

...both for the past and for the future.

Almighty God...

...blessed be the memory of the men from this district

who gave their lives in the Great War.

We humbly pray that the magnitude of their sacrifice

will grant us that peace

first promised us by Jesus Christ, your only son.

We pray too for the survivors,

their dependants and loved ones,

who in the years to come

will live with the memory of pain and suffering.

And we ask that the wounds and scars of this great conflict be healed,

not only here, but in every land...

...so that the universal brotherhood of mankind

will not remain forever a distant dream.

We ask this, O Lord,

for thy son, our saviour Jesus Christ's sake.

Amen.

ALL: Amen.

Private Roly Collins will now read the ode.

"They shall not grow old

"as we that are left will grow old.

"Age will not weary them or the years condemn.

"At the going down of the sun...

"...and in the morning...

"...we will remember them."

ALL: We will remember them.

(POIGNANT MUSIC)

(TRUMPET PLAYS 'THE LAST POST')

(MILITARISTIC DRUMMING)

(THEME MUSIC)