Director Alister Grierson teams with screenwriter John Lonie for this Aussie war drama exploring the fate of a missing patrol of Australian soldiers in World War II-era New Guinea. As Japanese troops continue their advance towards Port Moresby with an eye on invading Australia next, the task of defending the treacherous Kokoda Trail is left to uninitiated volunteers (derisively known as "chocos") due to the fact that the big guns are on deployment elsewhere. When the ramshackle platoon receives
confirmation of the impending assault and their supply lines are cut off without warning, mud-caked "choco" Jack Scholt (Jack Finsterer), his brother Max (Simon Stone), die-hard Darko (Travis McMahon), and skittish Johnno (Tom Budge) all prepare for the worst. Their ranks fast thinning thanks to the deadly accurate sharp shooting of an unseen enemy, the hardened Aussie soldiers do their best to protect the homeland or die trying. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
One of the great strengths of Kokoda is the unflinching honesty with which it recreates the nature of the fighting. The film brims with detail that is physically, emotionally and psychologically authentic.
The film deserves absolutely top marks for really re-creating this nightmare -- the rain, the mud, the dysentery, the horrors and it is almost like a horror film at times, as the Japanese get so close to them.
First time director Alister Grierson is excellent at recreating the physicality of the Kokoda Trail but misses an emotional factor so that the film, while convincing, is not as moving as you would want or expect.
I didn't really enjoy it, mainly because I was so scared the entire time, but I think that's my fault. I might try watching it again, cause I think I saw it when I was 12 or so.
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