Chunuk Bair (film)
Encyclopedia
Chunuk Bair is a 1992 New Zealand
film based on the play Once on Chunuk Bair (1982) by Maurice Shadbolt
.
Set in 1915, the film tells of the Wellington Regiment, part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
present at Gallipoli
during World War I
. On 8 August 1915, the Regiment took and held Chunuk Bair
, one of the Turkish
hills.
Chunuk Bair was produced by Daybreak Pictures
in association with Avalon
and the National Film Unit
. It was released to roughly coincide with ANZAC Day
, the national day of Remembrance
in New Zealand.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
film based on the play Once on Chunuk Bair (1982) by Maurice Shadbolt
Maurice Shadbolt
Maurice Francis Richard Shadbolt CBE was a New Zealand writer and playwright. He was born in Auckland, and educated at Te Kuiti High School, Avondale College and Auckland University College...
.
Set in 1915, the film tells of the Wellington Regiment, part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the title of the military forces sent from New Zealand to fight for Britain during World War I and World War II. Ultimately, the NZEF of World War I was known as the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force...
present at Gallipoli
Gallipoli
The Gallipoli peninsula is located in Turkish Thrace , the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles straits to the east. Gallipoli derives its name from the Greek "Καλλίπολις" , meaning "Beautiful City"...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. On 8 August 1915, the Regiment took and held Chunuk Bair
Battle of Chunuk Bair
The Battle of Chunuk Bair was a World War I battle fought between the Ottoman defenders and troops of New Zealand and Britain. Allied units that made the summit of Chunuk Bair early a.m...
, one of the Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
hills.
Chunuk Bair was produced by Daybreak Pictures
Daybreak Pacific
Daybreak Pacific Ltd is a New Zealand film and television company. It produces low-budget films and programmes for the local and international market, often in association with other production or financing companies...
in association with Avalon
Avalon, New Zealand
Avalon, a suburb of Lower Hutt in New Zealand, formed as a private residential development in the 1970s on land formerly occupied by market-gardens on the left bank of the Hutt River...
and the National Film Unit
National Film Unit
The National Film Unit was a state-owned film production organisation in New Zealand. Founded in 1941, it mostly produced newsreels, documentaries and promotional films about New Zealand, and for many years was the only significant film production facility in the country...
. It was released to roughly coincide with ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
, the national day of Remembrance
Remembrance
Remembrance is the act of remembering, the ability to remember or a memorial. It may refer to:-Events:*:Category:Remembrance days**Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice, a commemorative day observed by Argentina...
in New Zealand.
Cast and crew
- Sgt Maj Frank Smith - Robert PowellRobert PowellRobert Powell is an English television and film actor, probably most famous for his title role in Jesus of Nazareth and as the fictional secret agent Richard Hannay...
- Connolly - Kevin J. WilsonKevin J. WilsonKevin J. Wilson is an Australian actor. He is best known for his performance as executive producer Sam Murphy on the satirical Frontline and as Sir Malcolm on erotic soap opera Chances.-References:...
- Porky - John Leigh
- Smiler - Murray Keane
- Bassett - Danny MulheronDanny MulheronDanny Mulheron is a New Zealand actor, writer, and director who has worked in theatre, television and film.In 2008 he released "The Third Richard" a feature length documentary where he tells the story of his Grandfather, a Jewish German composer whose music was banned by the Nazis, rejected in New...
- Lt Harkness - Richard Hanna
- Johnston - Lewis Rowe
- Hamilton - Norman Forsey
- Scruffy - Darryl Beattie
- Mac - John Wraight
- Otaki George - Peter Kaa
- Holy - Stephen Ure
- Lofty - Tim Bray
- Nobby - Donald Holder
- Producer: Grant Bradley
- Exec Producers: Grant Bradley, David Arnell
- Director: Dale G Bradley
- Writer: Grant Hinden-Miller, adapted from the play by Maurice ShadboltMaurice ShadboltMaurice Francis Richard Shadbolt CBE was a New Zealand writer and playwright. He was born in Auckland, and educated at Te Kuiti High School, Avondale College and Auckland University College...