Colour of War: The Anzacs
| Company type | Documentary television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Film Australia, TWI Australia Pty Ltd |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Key people | Russell Crowe (narrator), Neil Sutherland (composer) |
| Products | Documentary series |
Colour of War: The Anzacs is an Australian documentary series consisting of three episodes, narrated by Russell Crowe and originally broadcast in 2004 on the Nine Network. The program showcases rare colour film footage illustrating the participation of the ANZACs during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Production
The series was created by Film Australia in collaboration with TWI Australia Pty Ltd for both the Nine Network and the Internal Production Unit of Television New Zealand. Narration is provided by Russell Crowe, whose grandfather worked as a war cinematographer. It features uncommon colour recordings from locations such as Crete, Italy, North Africa during the 1940s, Korea in the 1950s, and Vietnam throughout the 1960s. Much of this footage was captured unofficially by civilians and military personnel, offering genuine wartime viewpoints.
Episodes
- Episode 1: "Children of the Empire" – Chronicles the entry of Anzac countries into conflict following Britain's 1939 declaration of war against Germany.
- Episode 2: "Fighting Back" – Examines combat operations in Europe and the Pacific, alongside issues faced on the Anzac home fronts.
- Episode 3: "The War That Never Ends" – Explores Cold War dynamics, nuclear tensions, and Anzac forces’ roles in Korea and Vietnam.
Reception
The National Film and Sound Archive commends the series for its vivid depiction of Australia and New Zealand at war through original colour imagery, enriched by excerpts from personal diaries and letters that deepen viewer engagement. Lisa Pryor from The Sydney Morning Herald highlights the compelling use of early colour footage portraying Australians both overseas and domestically during wartime, emphasizing that Crowe’s narration adds significant resonance due to his familial ties to wartime filmmaking.
At the APRA Music Awards of 2005, composer Neil Sutherland received the Best Television Theme award for his composition for Colour of War: The Anzacs.
DVD
- Release Date: 2 December 2004
- Catalogue Number: R-104518-9
- Classification: M
- Narrator: Russell Crowe
- Audio Format: Dolby Digital 2.0
- Subtitles Available: English
- Number of Discs: 1
- Total Duration: 135 minutes