Kokoda
Kokoda is a 2006 Australian film about Australian militias from the 39th Battalion during the titular World War Two campaign.
The story is set in 1942. The Japanese forces have advanced through Asia, conquering large parts of it. Australia is under the threat of invasion. To prevent this, a bunch of poorly trained militias are sent to Papua New Guinea to hold off the advancing Japanese forces along the only way to Port Moresby, which is the extremely muddy and hostile Kokoda Trail. Under-equipped, under-supplied and sleep deprived, the men of the 39th Battalion make their way through one of the most claustrophobic, exhausting and frightening theaters of the war.
- Cold-Blooded Torture: Done to Blue by the Japanese after he stayed behind to provide cover with his Bren.
- Crowning Music of Awesome: The score is massively haunting and atmospheric.
- Deadpan Snarker: everyone
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"I don't suppose its too late to ask for leave on compassionate grounds at this late juncture?" |
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- Detractor Nickname: the regular army forces nicknamed the concripts "chocolate soldiers" (because they thought that they would "melt under pressure", Truth in Television)
- Everything Is Trying to Kill You
- Eye Scream: One poor sod hides beneath a log, then gets out only to discover a Japanese soldier pointing a bayonet at his face. Ouch.
- Highly-Conspicuous Uniform: The Aussies are stuck in desert uniforms, which isn't exactly the best protection in a jungle environment.
- High Octane Nightmare Fuel: And fucking how.
- This Tropers year nine (aged 14-15) History class was shown Kokoda. Many of them have seen Saw, Hostel and many other Gorn films, and played Silent Hill. It started with a girl who ran out of the room to vomit within the first ten minutes. It ended half an hour in, with a mass walkout.
- Hungry Jungle: Portrayed extremely well, with the lighting and claustrophobia creating a fantastic atmosphere.
- Mobile Shrubbery: Unlike the Aussies, the Japanese have the luxury of ghillie suits. Nothing says Oh Crap like a patch of grass slowly rising up behind the Lieutenant.
- Nausea Fuel: Let's just say that the movie isn't for the squeamish, case in point, so far it's (fortunately) the only war film to show the joys of suffering dysentery. Graphically.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: Which successfully held back the Japanese despite being outnumbered and outgunned, and eventually turned them away. (also a Truth in Television)
- Scenery Porn
- Tear Jerker: The wounded soldier hiding in a hollow stump to avoid slowing his mates down.