Introduction
Anzacs (named for members of the all volunteer ANZAC army formations) is a 1985 Australian five-part television miniseries set in World War I.
Outline
As the debate in Australia over conscription causes bitter political and social divisions, the platoon are sent back into the Somme sector, now bogged down in the cold and mud of winter. Max Earnshaw arrives as a new lieutenant and initially proves to be a less-than-inspiring officer. By 1917, the Allied High Command plan new offensives to break the Hindenburg Line. The platoon takes part in the Allied attacks at Arras, where Sergeant McArthur is killed and Pudden deserts, and is then given a spell of leave in Blighty. Back in France, Armstrong is sent home on psychiatric grounds and is replaced by the unpopular Captain Young. Pudden is later found hiding out among a group of deserters and agrees to return to his unit. The platoon then takes part in a new offensive at Passchendaele, where Young proves himself incompetent, Barrington is badly wounded, Gordon deserts after murdering several German prisoners, and Lieutenant Earnshaw is blinded by a shell. Meanwhile, Lloyd George has lost all faith in Haig (who is nevertheless promoted to the rank of field marshal by King George V). At a field hospital, Kate manages to save a desperately wounded Barrington.
ANZACS Series
You can find a full index and overview of the ANZACS here.
Production & Filming Details
- Release Date: 29 October 1985.
- Running Time: 60 minutes.
- Rating: 15.
- Country: Australia.
- Language: English.
Video Link
