Tomorrow When The War Began Film Structure

The first thing fans need to know about Tomorrow when the war began is that the movie is significantly better than the trailer suggests.

The movie, a version of John Marsden’s maiden book in the exciting series, Tomorrow, was directed by Australian award winning director, Stuart Bettie. The picture-worthy Australian themed set design complements the selfless companion-ship and love between the friends, which is the extraordinary structure that the movie is built on.

Tomorrow, When the War Began follows the journey of eight high school friends in a remote country town whose lives are suddenly and violently upended by a war that no-one saw coming. Cut off from their families and their friends, these eight extraordinary teenagers must somehow learn to escape, survive and fight back.
The actors featured in this movie fit their role so perfectly, to a point where choosing the most applaud-able performance is near impossible.
The leading lady, Catlin Stacey plays the strong headed, justice seeking, curious role of Ellie Linton, who acts as if she is the clan chief when planning attacks. As a result of this and her increasing determination, Ellie’s character puts herself in serious danger many times throughout the movie, shifting us, further, to the end of our seats. She has a fun maturing personality that binds her group of same-age friends and neighbours together – BFF Corrie (Rachel Hurd-Wood) and her boyfriend Kevin (Lincoln Lewis); posh, ditzy blonde Fiona (Phoebe Tonkin); rebel hothead Homer (Deniz Akdeniz); moral compass Robyn (Ashleigh Cummings); and humble, strong silent type Lee (Chris
Pang).

Almost all movies in the film industry name the plot aggressor or enemy, whereas Beattie skirts around the identities of the attacking force. He frames occasional glimpses of Asian features on the helmeted soldiers but never once outwardly declares which regional neighbour would mount an attack on Australia. Further muddying their identification (and, by association, the perceived level of threat), he also never answer the biggest question of the movie- 'Why?" - what is the political motive that would lead to a traditional land assault? Why are the invading forces securing one lane bridges in rural Australia? How did the attacking armies construct prison-camps in only a few days? Why has there been no counter-strike from Australian forces? For the targeted teenage demographic who may not care about these complexities, it will be the witty, sharp dialogue and heroics that may take precedence.

The movie is gracefully shot, most importantly capturing the insane explosions from the best angles with perfectly proportioned scenes keeping the movie exciting.
To do this Bettie harnesses a broad range of film skills. For example, in the scene prior to when corrie gets shot, every clip is fast, quickly capturing the action each member of the team is enduring; running, crying, screaming and them showing a glimpse of romance and venerability before the accident. This action effect includes multiple camera angles, minimal light due to being in the dark and distant sound effects – such as machine guns.
As a result, creating tension and suspense. This also is particularly evident in the scene where the gas trucks fuse is lit; as the camera slowly follows the graceful movement of the flame up the rope which intensifies the moment and doubling the anxiety, making each second feel ten times longer. In this scene the script is limited to avoid distracting the audience from the action and drama. Although throughout the movie the script is faultlessly complimented by the explosions, while implying a flavourful friendship that mimics true Australian morals, such as solidarity and teamwork, without deviating from the movies story line.

Composers Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimeks intense and adventurous score maintains the action, curiosity and surprise of this war-themed movie. It provides the perfect aural accompaniment to betties directory skills and simulates a flame to Betties movie dynamite, the reason this movie explodes with excitement.

Notwithstanding the brilliance of this movie one aspect that has potential for improvement would be a sequel and stable ending to the movie based on the tomorrow series. The producers seem to place more importance on selling the unscripted sequel hence the cliff hanging ending. The movie ended too soon leaving too many questions in the mud. An emotionally stable ending to conclude movie would have been far more suited.

Over all the movie deserves a 4 out of 5 with the movies biggest faulty being the cliff hanging ending furthermore with no sequel. Despite this one, negative mark the move did an exceptional job in the incorporation of the Aussie bush and scenery in the set design which helps us refer to the innocence of the simple town and family problems before the war broke out. In addition, the spectacular display of explosions and bombs throughout the movie spark a fuse inside the audience, capturing their undivided attention and converting them into noise-starved-blow-em-up-fans. In the movie, Tomorrow when the war began, Bettie perfectly captured Marsden’s insight into teenage insecurities and an idealistic vision of heroic transformations and stunt work, the reason this movie is a hit for everyone.