Anzac Girls

I loved this series and didn't want it to end (not the war, I was well ready for it to end, but not the acquaintances with these phenomenal women). This series is brilliantly told and performed. It is the story of five real women who served the Australian and New Zealand war effort as nurses, researched through their journals and letters, at the time. The actors fully embody their characters and win our hearts. From the fledgling excitement of their new postings to the decent into the midst of the horrors of war, their tales are told. Greg Haddrick, Executive Producer, summed up this 6 hour limited TV series rather nicely, "...after watching it you have experienced the pointlessness of war and are left with a feeling that human compassion and decency toward each other is more important than many other things in life." I can't speak highly enough of this production, it just did everything right. I give it a 10 (brilliant) out of 10. {Historical War Drama}

ANZAC Girls provides insight into two historical dramas that need more of our attention: World War I and the women from all nations who served therein. This series is an attempt at a true account of the trials of a group of ANZAC nurses providing heroic aid and comfort to soldiers while dealing with the loves, losses, and true friendships that color thier lives. The series is heartbreaking and uplifting at once, leaving us so impressed by the courage of these women. It has long been my contention that nurses are angels on earth, and this series reinforces my contention. Writing, action, and production are all first-rate.

A great series, much enjoyed, but.....big shame that they had to have a swipe (as usual for Aussies film producers) at 'British pomposity' / snobbery, which whilst maybe not entirely unfounded, was I feel grossly exaggerated, and in very poor taste. But on the plus side they did not take a swipe at the Brit general, who came across as quite a good guy. Also, whilst most of the effects were excellent, the immaculate state of the nurses' uniforms in most of the scenes, was totally unrealistic; anyone who has spent a few hours in the field will know that white has no place, and grey / grime / sweat and smell rules. All above said, well done on a great production, helping to ensure that we remember them all, with gratitude, and admiration.

A number of the reviews here have taken issue with the nurses flirting etc in the early episodes. I don't see this as being inconsistent with their roles, most of these were young women in their early twenties many of them away from home for the first time. These were the girls that would have left fairly repressive by todays standards home so the fact they may have been interested in the blokes isn't really a surprise. As the series went on all of the characters got more sad and wise as anyone in that situation would. The book The Other Anzacs is a very good read and this show follows it fairly faithfully.

I think this is worth a look if nothing else for the way Nurse Alice Ross King gives the VD lecture.

Having had two great uncles fought in World War 1, and having a great grandmother who was a nurse in France, I have to say my anticipation was not disappointed. These young actors were superb portraying the young soldiers and nurses from that war. The script is amazing. The story moves at a good pace without any boring bits.

I wanted to correct some of the misconceptions that have been expressed here. Someone mentioned the nurses flirting with the soldiers. Really, of course they would have. They were teenagers and young men and women and healthy ones at that with all the hormones of any young healthy generation. Of course they were Bible trained with good morals but temptation was always going to be a problem for them in a foreign country.

And as far as the language was concerned. I knew these people as the older generation in my life and they spoke just like that. I felt like I was watching them as youngsters. The cast did such a good job of convincing the audience that they were from a past age. I also love the way Harry read poetry. That was a great pastime for people of that time who often recited poetry as a form of entertainment to others. There was no tv or radio then. I loved this series. I think it was spot on and everyone should watch it as at least to learn about a historical bunch of brave young people facing one of the world's greatest catastrophes, the First World War. Watch it. You might just learn something about courage and perseverence. I did.