If there’s one genre Aussie filmmakers have feared to tread since 1981’sGallipoli, it has been the sweeping war epic. But director Jeremy Sims now takes us underground, beneath Hill 60, for his ambitious foray.
Brendan Cowell leads as Oliver Woodward, the new commanding officer of a group of civilian miners charged with digging their way below the enemy on the Western Front in World War I. He earns his stripes and the respect of his soldiers by crawling through the dark, but above ground, to attack an enemy position. Their success sees them promoted “up the line” to Belgium and beneath the famous Hill 60.
The tunnels they inhabit have been established by Canadians and left to the Australians to maintain and have ready to explode beneath the enemy. No-one is sure when, which adds to the tension, and the mine is in danger of collapse. The Australians make controversial changes, but engineering innovations do not make for compelling turning points in the film.
Most of the tension comes from seeing the German perspective, and the almost obligatory obstinate English officers, played with relish by Chris Haywood and John Stanton. (In years gone by, the producers would be sending for late actor Edward Woodward to perform these roles.)
Flashbacks are interspersed throughout the film, back to Oliver Woodward’s blossoming love for the effervescent Marjorie (Bella Heathcote) and his decision to go to war. Cowell plays Woodward as a picture of stoic loyalty and awkward emotion.
It’s a much more reserved mix for Cowell who seems to struggle with this un-Australian characterisation and an unbreaking face. But he is an understated character and improves as the film goes on.
Sims uses an ever so slightly unsteady camera to keep us on edge underground, with wide-sweeping shots overloaded with lots of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra overtures for the above-ground shots. It’s when Sims and his actors are in warm golden glowing close-ups in the mines that they all seem more comfortable and his direction more assured.
There is a fine ensemble of actors here. Playing Norman Morris, Gyton Grantley has gone from strength to strength sinceUnderbelly. Harrison Gilbertson impresses as the nervous youngster Frank Tiffin, as does Steve Le Marquand as the resident hardnut, Bill Fraser, Mark Coles Smith shines as the Aboriginal miner Billy Bacon and Jacqueline McKenzie strolls through her role as Emma Waddell.
But there is not a single bad performance — just some are more rounded than others. But the biggest surprise is Bella Heathcote who captures the camera the strongest.
Beneath Hill 60doesn’t tamper with the epic war story formula. A struggle against the odds, men rising above themselves, a foreground of mateship against a background of romance and non-stop explosions and the choices between life and death — all the elements are delivered as well as almost any Hollywood epic.
It may not have the same impact asGallipolidid, but it is a film that all those involved will be proud of.
Beneath Hill 60is in cinemas now.
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