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Harry’s War (2000)

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clip Djaambi

Original classification rating: M. This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

Mitch (Peter Docker) and Harry (David Ngoombujarra) sit beneath the cover of a tree partly concealed by foliage. They are in the jungle of Papua New Guinea. They talk about raising money for Thomas’ (Glenn Shea) widow. Both men slowly draw on cigarettes. The sound of a mopoke echoes through the jungle. A mopoke or owl. Harry says that he has been waiting for him.

The infantry are gathered around a rock, discussing strategy. They talk about containing the nips. Flashback: Harry, mum (Christina Saunders, dad (Bob Maza), cousin (Pauline Whymen) and Keithy (Sam Kirby) meet the train pulled up to take Harry off to war. Harry bids his family farewell. Keithy runs to the nearest overhanging bridge, ‘Captain Djaambi!’. Present: the jungle of Kokoda; 2nd 14th infantry are stalking through the jungle, guns raised in expectation. Harry motions to Mitch. Harry, his eye focused on the barrel of his gun, has a Japanese soldier in his sights.

Curator’s notes

by Romaine Moreton

Harry’s War is rich in symbology, with social history, camaraderie of the armed forces, and Indigenous cultural beliefs all woven through the narrative. The mopoke (owl) in this clip is in Harry Saunders’ culture is a messenger of death. Director Richard Frankland’s grandfather Christopher Saunders was a soldier in the First World War. His eldest son Reginald Walter Saunders served in the Second World War, and was serving in New Guinea when he became the first Aboriginal person to be promoted to commissioned ranks. Reginald’s brother Harry (whom the film Harry’s War is based on) was killed on the Kokoda Trail at the age of 18. Reg Saunders was awarded an MBE in 1971, and was appointed to the Council of the Australian War Memorial in July 1985.

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