Programmed For War

Sun Herald

Sunday April 24, 2005

MELINDA HOUSTON

WAR MAY be hell but it's also a rich source of inspiration: even before the days of Homer, poets, novelists, composers and painters have all been moved by either the heroics of war or its tragedies. Or both.

Some of the greatest moments in cinema, from Gone With The Wind to Apocalypse Now, drew their energy from combat. And as we approach Anzac Day - that most eulogised and sentimental celebration of fighting spirit - television is making its own contribution with some intriguing programs looking at the nature of war from a variety of perspectives.

In The Art Of War , the inimitable Betty Churcher attacks the inspirational nature of battles head on, looking at Australian art during the various war years.

Tonight's episode covers art made at home during World War II: the women painters commissioned to capture the contribution of women to the war effort; William Dobell's, Donald Friend's and Russell Drysdale's images of wartime Sydney; and Sidney Nolan's Gallipoli series.

Art educator Churcher's personal, no-nonsense, often humorous commentary is genuinely enlightening as she weaves social and art history and art tutorial.

Equally enlightening is Revealing Gallipoli. It's kind of nerdy and the narrator probably didn't have to sound quite so portentous, but if you can set those elements aside Revealing Gallipoli provides a terrific insight into what actually happened at Gallipoli and why.

Commentary from three anorak-wearing experts - an Australian, a Turk and an Irishman - gives a wonderfully rounded perspective on what was a particularly senseless battle and, among other things, reminds us that it wasn't just Australians involved. (Also, did you know Kitchener was a "lifelong bachelor who enjoyed flower arranging"? More food for thought).

Sadly, no one seems to be screening Gallipoli, starring Mel Gibson, but Channel Seven is doing its bit by showing that other classic, Anzacs, over the three nights (the final episode screens tonight at 8.30pm).

Given that it's now 20 years old, this lavish (and digitally remastered) miniseries holds up surprisingly well - not least thanks to great production values. Sure it looks a little dated (all those actors look so darn young) but it still packs a lot of emotional punch.

More tears will undoubtedly be shed by anyone tuning in to the repeat - sorry, encore - of Love Letters From A War. Combining well-put-together re-enactments with archival footage, it tells the story of John and Josie Johnson and their eight (count 'em!) children through the letters John and Josie exchange when he enlists during World War II. Their simple, loving correspondence is genuinely heart-warming, and heartbreaking.

A Company Of Soldiers provides a rather different perspective on the nature of war. Produced by the PBS Frontline team, it's the result of a documentary crew which was embedded for a month with a group of US soldiers stationed in south Baghdad. It really is quite fascinating.

On one level it's utterly commonplace: very ordinary people, most of them very young, going about their day-to-day business. Except that in their world a parked car might be a parked car. Or it might be full of explosives. A speeding car might just be someone driving fast. Or it may be someone roaring towards you down the highway, about to shoot you to pieces. There are no raging battles, no front-lines. Just the business of eating, sleeping and working in an environment where each day might be your last.

And for the purists, the ABC - as it has done for the past 48 years - will be broadcasting the Anzac Day march. Ian Henderson will provide the commentary, with special comments from military historian Neil Smith and including, of course, some of that spine-tingling footage from the dawn service in Melbourne.

Then it crosses live to the Gallipoli dawn service. (Channel Nine is also broadcasting live from Anzac Cove from noon, with Tracy Grimshaw in the chair.)

About 20,000 Australians, including the Prime Minister, are expected to attend the commemorative military service, along with all the other pilgrims, to mark the 90th anniversary of the battle in which there were a staggering 450,000 casualties.

If done well, it's the kind of thing that can be truly inspirational. And you'll be able to check out those "great new bus-parking bays'' for yourself.

The Art Of War, SBS, Sunday, 7.30pm.

Revealing Gallipoli, ABC, Sunday, 7.30pm.

Love Letters From A War, ABC, Sunday, 9.10pm.

Anzac Day March, Monday, ABC, 9am, Gallipoli Dawn Service 12.30pm.

A Company Of Soldiers, SBS, Tuesday, 8.30pm.