The Best Australian War Movies of the 20th Century

War movies are often those that provide a realistic portrayal of combat. They can also be those that show the effects warfare has on soldiers and civilians alike. It is important to understand how these films are made and what they mean for society.

The best Australian war movies are ones that reflect the true emotions of a time period, or event of Australia. These films often take on a very personal perspective and tell stories that are not typically told in mainstream media. They follow a traditional narrative of the Australian character, which is to endure and overcome hardship.

There are many different types of Australian war movies. They range from the historical and political to the personal and emotional.

The following list includes some favourite war movies from Australia’s cinematic history:

– Breaker Morant (1980)

Breaker Morant is a 1980 Australian war drama film directed by Stuart Cooper and based on the historic 1876 court-martial of three colonial officers for the murder of six Boers during the Second Anglo-Boer War.

Release date: 15 March 1980 (Australia) | Director: Bruce Beresford

– Gallipoli (1981)

Two young Australian sprinters, Archy and Frank, want to join the army. They would be allowed only if they can get their duty affirmed by the army. The pair in question was turned down initially because they are not old enough. So, they traveled to Perth on the train and applied there. They board a troop ship headed to Cairo. After training away from the shadows of the Great Pyramids, the boys are finally given a chance to prove themselves in one of war’s bloodiest battles.

Release date: 13 August 1981 (Australia) | Director: Herbert Pinter

– The Lighthorsemen (1990)

The Lighthorsemen is a 1990 Australian film about an Aboriginal boy who goes to the city and struggles to find his place in the world. It won 5 AFI Awards, including Best Film.

Release date: 10 September 1987 (Australia) | Director: Simon Wincer

– Kokoda (2006)

Kokoda is a 2006 Australian war film about the Battle of Kokoda. The film is based on the true events that took place during World War II in Papua New Guinea. It tells a story of an Australian squad fighting against Japanese forces along the Koko River in 1942, which became known as “The Battle of Bloody Ridge.”

Release date: 10 April 2006 | Director: Alister Grierson

– Australia (2008)

A romantic action-adventure epic set in Australia prior to World War II that centers on an English aristocrat who inherits a large ranch. When the English barons plot to take away, she reluctantly joins forces with Drover to protect her ranch. They experience four life-altering years, fall in love and get married during these years, and live through the tragic bombing of Darwin during WW II.

Release date: 26 November 2008 (USA) | Director: Baz Luhrmann

– Beneath Hill 60 (2010)

The Beneath Hill 60 is a true story about Australian soldiers who dug tunnels underneath the German trenches to attack them from the ground.

Release date: 15 April 2010 (Australia) | Director: Jeremy Sims