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

Based on the best-selling teenage fiction book series by John Marsden.

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Goofs

When Lee is getting worked on by the doctor his pant leg is cut off, but later as he climbs into the dump bucket he has a full length pant leg again.

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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

Version of Tomorrow, When the War Began (2016)

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Soundtracks

Tomorrow
Written by Nic Cester (as N Cester), Tim Rogers (as T Rogers), J Kilmek & R Merrit
Performed by Nic Cester, Davey Lane & Kram

User Reviews

Tomorrow When the War Began, may bring unintended consequences

This film, Tomorrow When the War Began, is the first in an intended series of three films, to be followed by a television series, depending on box office receipts.

It was a substantial investment for an Australian feature film, at $20 million, and its production values are generally excellent. DOP Ben Nott has done a superb job of capturing some of the beauty of Australia's bush and mountains, alternating with that serenity, the fast paced action sequences, with gun fights, car chases, explosions and general mayhem.

Although there are a number of small technical criticisms I noted, this film still rises way above the average fair, and its 143 minutes duration literally flies past, leaving you a little disappointed for want of more.

I have not read the seven book novel series, written by John Marsden, which the film is based on, so I was seeing the film and judging it on its merits, and I know the youth, in particular, who are familiar with the books, will love the film, as will many older folk who do not know Marsden's work.

The actors generally put in strong performances; however, there are a few awful character clichés which more than jar, which does disrupt one's involvement momentarily. I have written a more in depth analysis, which does not contain plot or ending spoilers, but does partly describe some scenes for critical purposes, on my film review site. On other criticisms, some logic and laws of physics have been bent, for dramatic purposes which, in my opinion, detract from the effect.

Realism, if respected on every level, always impresses more. The Hollywood multi-angle multi shot of the same effect is cartoonish and helps to degrade a drama, rather than enhance it. This film does commit some sins, but it is head and shoulders above the usual Hollywood fair, in the action genre.

In closing, I recommend you see this film, for it reveals a, potentially, extremely contentious issue, regarding the invaders, which may have historical socio-political repercussions, more than any other Australian film before it, particularly throughout Asia.

This film will be remembered by many for a number of reasons.

It is definitely worth the price of the ticket!