Before Dawn
War stories, particularly those of the ANZAC troops, often centre around World War 2. However, the latest Australian war epic from director Jordon Prince-Wright takes us further back in the heroic history of the ANZACs by focusing on World War 1.
By following fictional soldier Jim Collins, a young man from outback Western Australia who joins the ANZACs hoping to make a difference, Before Dawn explores the mateship at the core of Australia’s WWI history. Whilst Jim is fictional the stories woven throughout Before Dawn take inspiration from the real diary entries of ANZAC soldiers, thus imbuing the film with a gritty, raw & authentic intensity.
Over the course of Jim's 903-day deployment viewers are immersed in the overwhelming horror & atrocious conditions of trench warfare. Before Dawn provides audiences with one of the most harrowing depictions of warfare on the silver screen.
Before Dawn is an emotionally draining viewing experience, as you'll feel yourself swept up in the sense of guilt, horror & futility that the ANZACs themselves must have endured. The film doesn't just impart a weighty emotional burden though. Visually, Before Dawn is confronting, from its depiction of the muddy, miserable trenches to the shocking violence & gore that these incredibly young men were forced to face.
By using real-life war diaries Before Dawn tackles these confronting moments in a truly Australian manner by using dark humour throughout.
Every Australian should watch this film to gain an even higher appreciation for our ANZAC heroes. Before Dawn will go down in history as one of the truly great Australian war films of all time.
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