Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010)

When their country is invaded and their families are taken, eight unlikely high school teenagers band together to fight.

Director:

Stuart Beattie

Writers:

John Marsden (novel), Stuart Beattie

Stars:

Caitlin Stasey, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Lincoln Lewis

8 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Caitlin Stasey	...	Ellie Linton
Rachel Hurd-Wood	...	Corrie Mackenzie
Lincoln Lewis	...	Kevin Holmes
Deniz Akdeniz	...	Homer Yannos
Phoebe Tonkin	...	Fiona Maxwell
Chris Pang	...	Lee Takkam
Ashleigh Cummings	...	Robyn Mathers
Andrew Ryan	...	Chris Lang (as Andy Ryan)
Colin Friels	...	Dr. Clements
Don Halbert	...	Mr. Linton
Olivia Pigeot	...	Mrs. Linton
Stephen Bourke	...	Police Officer
Kelly Butler	...	Mrs. Maxwell
Julia Yon	...	Mrs. Takkam
Dane Carson	...	Mr. Mathers

Storyline

Seven Australian teenage friends from a small town go on a camping trip to be with nature. During their trip, they see military aircraft fly overhead. What they didn't know was their country was being invaded by another country. Returning home, they discover that they are at war. With no training, they band together to fight the enemy.

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Plot Keywords:

australian | military | insect cage | exploding airplane | knocked unconscious | 

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Taglines:

Where Were You When Everything Changed?

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 February 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Guerreiros do Amanhã

Filming Locations:

Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

AUD 3,862,193 (Australia), 5 September 2010, Limited Release

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,525,360, 28 December 2011

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ambience Entertainment,Omnilab Media

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The language spoken by the invaders in the film is a totally made up language, sampled from many languages worldwide and then scrambled.

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Goofs

When Ellie, corrie and Kevin are attempting to get a better look at the Showground, just before Ellie runs up to the fire truck, they all lean up against a blue Suzuki the number plate on said car is CR 22 xx it goes from clean to dirty in half a second.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ellie Linton: We're not going to hold back. Recording it like this, it's um, it's so important to us. I guess it's our way of telling us that things matter. That we mean something. Maybe... some of the things we've done... The friends that we've lost, hopefully it all makes a difference somehow.
[regaining her composure]
Ellie Linton: There's only one way to do this. And that's to go back to where this all began.

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Connections

Featured in Today: Episode dated 2 September 2010 (2010)

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Soundtracks

'Fader
Written by A Mandagi & T Dundas
Performed by The Temper Trap

User Reviews

Swept me up and took me on an exhilarating ride!

Fans of the Tomorrow book series rejoiced at the news of a cinematic adaptation of John Mardson's iconic Australian teen epic, Tomorrow When the War Began. As an enthusiast of the first 3 books (in a series of 7), I was ecstatic that it would get big screen treatment and not some shitty b-grade telly movie as I had feared. I'm pleased to announce that I walked out of this energised, with a racing pulse and a smile on the face.

For those unfamiliar with the material, the concept of is pretty much identical to Red Dawn – a group of teens from a country town go camping for a weekend to find out their country has been invaded, and their family have been held captive. They hide out and guerrilla warfare ensues.

Thematically, the film captures the clichéd 'working together' virtues of friendship corn from the novel. It is definitely in the writing that the film falls down…well, more of a stumble than a fall. I found this particularly unusual given the writer/director is Stuart Beattie – a screenwriter with an exceptional resume. He handles action far better than he handles characters in his directorial debut. Despite the ham and cheese in the writing, the broader screenplay is emotionally satisfying.

Whilst the acting is not of the highest calibre, I would say it was on par with other large franchise films with a young, teen cast (specifically Harry Potter and Twi). The actor who plays Lee is the weakest link here. Although he has the visual presence for the role, his delivery is consistently wooden. Caitlyn Stacey was a standout for me. She displays genuine emotion, genuine intensity and fear. I would have preferred if she spoke like less of a 'toff', and ripped into that bogan Aussie accent, but she brings a solid and believable strength.

As well as capturing the essence of the novel, the action sequences have been stunningly realised. The visuals have a polished look and feel, on par with films with a much higher budget (this had only $20AUD million) thus I believe it would stand up well in an international market. By any standards, the action is exhilarating and has been directed with clarity. Although I wouldn't have minded a bit more grit to the imagery, the cinematography is exceptional and captures the Australian landscapes beautifully. The soundtrack and score was nicely chosen, and the balance of humour and darker tones was effective.

Whilst not being the major box office success some would have liked, The Dead of the Night has been green lit, so thankfully there is more to come in this promising franchise. Despite some awkwardness, there is an energy in the characters and action that permeates Tomorrow When the War Began, making it an entirely gripping experience. For me, this was resonant action that sweeps you up and takes you on an exhilarating and emotionally fulfilling ride.