john-4061

I could not watch Curtin when it aired on ABC TV a few weeks back, so recorded it onto DVD; and watched it last night. As an Australian political history buff, a WWII watcher, member of the ALP and fan of William McInnis, I was looking forward to it. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.

I now understand that it was originally intended to be a six hour mini-series in four arts, cut to 90 minutes by the ABC. Its original format would not only have truly told the Curtin story, but would have made clear some things that must of confused people if they were not fully aware of the history.

For example, the following were never explained.

Why the ALP was desperate to unseat Menzies from office (because he agreed with Churchill that the Nazis must be defeated before worrying about Australa).

Why some members of Curtin's Cabinet were hostile (because of the disastrous split within the ALP only 10 years previously).

It could also have concentrated on the years in opposition, his longer term health and the relationship built with the USA during the war, that continues today.

Having said that, the portrayal of the people and the times was excellent.

Just would have liked the full story, that's all.

I have seen Maslin Beach a couple of times - both on free to air TV in Brisbane. I won't go into whether it is good, bad or otherwise as others have well and truly covered this.

I will say that it is so Australian. Only in Australia can we have a film about relationships among people spending the day as naked as the day they were born, and to view it on free commercial television.

I have a friend from the US who is constantly amazed at what we put on our free TV compared to her home country. Sex and the CIty and Huff are just too examples.

Despite our Government trying to turn us into the 51st US State, it is good to know at least some things remain truly Aussie

Gettysburg is without doubt the best war movie of all time, and I have thought so since its release in Australia in 1993. I now have it on DVD (after securing a VHS version earlier) and watch it, or at least parts of it regularly. Those very familiar with the movie would be aware that it is possible to select a scene, watch an hour of it, and still get as much from it as watching the full four hours and eight minutes.

The only down side for me is that, as a fan of the West Wing, it is hard to hear Martin Sheen without a southern accent. He portrayed a far better Robert E Lee than Robert Duvall in Gods and Generals, which I think was far too deep for its own good and missed some opportunities.