Kokoda Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of unprepared Aussie blokes stumble through a muddy, disease-ridden jungle trying desperately not to get bayoneted while also *really* needing a toilet.

🍿 Kokoda: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Sent into the Green Hell

In 1942, a small force of Australian militia, part of the 39th Battalion, are tasked with defending the Kokoda Track in New Guinea against a much larger invading Japanese force. Poorly trained and ill-equipped, these soldiers are Australia’s last line of defense as the main army is fighting elsewhere. A small patrol is sent out from the village of Isurava to act as an early warning.

Ambush and Disarray

The patrol is quickly ambushed by skilled Japanese soldiers, resulting in immediate casualties and chaos. Cut off from the main group, the surviving members of the patrol are forced to navigate the brutal jungle terrain on their own. They face not only the constant threat of enemy patrols but also the debilitating effects of tropical disease and dwindling supplies.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jack Scholt (Jack Finsterer): The Australian soldier who takes command of the isolated patrol after their leader is killed.
• Darko (Travis McMahon): A fellow patrol member and close comrade to Jack, facing the brutal jungle conditions.
• Max Scholt (Simon Stone): Jack’s brother and a soldier in the patrol struggling for survival on the treacherous track.
• Burke (Luke Ford): A member of the patrol enduring the horrors and physical toll of combat and disease.
• Johnno (Tom Budge): A young soldier in the patrol severely incapacitated by dysentery.
• Sam (Steve Le Marquand): A soldier whose early injury impacts the patrol’s movement and survival.
• The Colonel (William McInnes): A senior officer who delivers a poignant address to the surviving soldiers, acknowledging their sacrifice and endurance.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• The Colonel: “You have seen things in this place no man should witness… some of these things you must forget.” – Spoken to the surviving soldiers of the 39th Battalion at the end of the campaign, acknowledging the horrors they endured.
• The Colonel: “Remember, remember that glory is not the exultation of war, but the exultation of man, man’s nobility made transcendent in the fiery crucible of war.” – Part of the Colonel’s final address, reflecting on the true meaning of their sacrifice and endurance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5 million AUD
• Domestic Gross: 
• Worldwide Gross: $2,249,162

💥 Kokoda Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, watching ‘Kokoda’ felt less like watching a movie and more like being stuck in that horrible jungle right alongside the soldiers. I mean, the mud, the rain, the constant fear – it’s just relentless. You really feel the sheer exhaustion and desperation. The scenes of combat are incredibly intense, often chaotic and terrifyingly close-up. And honestly, some parts are pretty graphic, like that bayonet scene, which just makes you flinch. It’s not glamorous at all, just survival. Even though I didn’t get to know all the characters super well, the performances felt really genuine. It made me think a lot about what those guys actually went through. Definitely an eye-opener and a powerful reminder of that part of history.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of realistic and gritty war films”
  • “Viewers interested in Australian military history”
  • “Those who appreciate intense, atmospheric dramas”
  • “Audiences looking for films depicting the harsh realities of combat”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore (depictions of bayonet attacks, machine gun fire effects, brutal injuries)”
  • “Intense scenes of combat and death”
  • “Depiction of disease symptoms (dysentery, malaria)”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing imagery related to the horrors of war”

Professional Reviews

• Synthesized from user reviews: “Kokoda delivers a raw, visceral portrayal of the harsh realities faced by Australian troops in the New Guinea jungle. While the low budget is sometimes evident and character development is sparse, the film’s intensity is undeniable. It throws you into the claustrophobic, brutal environment, making for an exhausting but powerful viewing experience that honors a significant historical struggle.
• Synthesized from user reviews: “An ambitious attempt to depict the Kokoda campaign, this film succeeds in highlighting the brutal conditions and desperate fight. However, the lack of character depth makes it hard to connect emotionally with the soldiers, and some script choices feel underdeveloped. It’s a gritty watch, visually striking despite limitations, but ultimately feels like a fragment of a larger story.
• Synthesized from user reviews: “Director Alister Grierson captures the suffocating atmosphere of jungle warfare with impressive realism on a limited budget. The film is unflinching in its depiction of violence and disease, offering a vital, if somewhat fragmented, glimpse into the challenges of the Kokoda track. While not a perfect historical epic, its focus on the human struggle is impactful.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were particularly struck by the film’s gritty, realistic portrayal of the brutal jungle environment and combat.: Many viewers appreciated the film for shedding light on a significant but often overlooked part of Australian history. The intense atmosphere, graphic realism, and depiction of the harsh conditions and mateship were frequently praised.

Overall Consensus: A generally well-regarded film praised for its raw realism and intense portrayal of the Kokoda campaign, despite some acknowledged limitations in budget and character development.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “William McInnes, who plays the Colonel in the final scene, worked for free for his one day on set, donating his fee to the Legacy charity as a tribute to his father’s generation.”
• “During filming, a blooper occurred where the director’s safety officer accidentally ran into the background of a shot while heading to the toilet; the director admitted this in the DVD commentary.”
• “The final speech given by the Colonel is an exact reconstruction of a speech delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner to the remnants of the 39th Battalion at Menari.”
• “Much of the film was shot near Mount Tamborine, Queensland, an area also used by the Australian Army for jungle warfare training, adding to the authenticity of the environment.”
• “The film was made on a significantly low budget, contributing to its raw, gritty, and focused depiction of the soldiers’ immediate experience rather than large-scale battles.”

🖥️ How to Watch Kokoda?

To watch ‘Kokoda’, you can currently find options for streaming or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Check major digital storefronts such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, or YouTube Movies for rental or buying availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Kokoda, you might like these similar films:

• Gallipoli (1981): An iconic Australian war film that also focuses on the experiences, mateship, and sacrifice of Australian soldiers during a significant historical campaign, though in WWI.
• Platoon (1986): Known for its gritty, realistic portrayal of infantry combat and the physical and psychological toll of jungle warfare, much like Kokoda’s focus on the harsh environment.
• The Thin Red Line (1998): Set in the Pacific theatre during WWII, it offers an atmospheric and philosophical look at the experiences of soldiers facing intense combat in a brutal jungle environment.
• Beneath Hill 60 (2010): Another modern Australian war film depicting a specific, arduous WWI campaign with a focus on the harsh conditions and the bond between soldiers.

🛒 Kokoda Related Products

• Kokoda (Blu-ray): Own the acclaimed Australian war film in high definition, bringing the intense jungle setting and gritty combat realism to your home screen.
• Kokoda by Peter FitzSimons (Book): A highly-regarded historical account of the Kokoda campaign, providing in-depth context, personal stories, and strategic details beyond the film’s scope.
• Australians at War: Kokoda (Documentary): Explore the Kokoda campaign through archival footage, interviews with veterans, and expert analysis, offering a factual look at the events depicted.
• WWII Pacific Theatre Strategy Game: A strategic wargame focusing on the Pacific theater of WWII, allowing players to experience the challenges of campaigns in environments similar to New Guinea.

🎧 Soundtrack

Kokoda features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Original Score” – performed by Lisa Gerrard & Patrick Cassidy
• “Kokoda (Main Theme)” – performed by Lisa Gerrard & Patrick Cassidy
• “The Track” – performed by Lisa Gerrard & Patrick Cassidy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan | Artillery Target My Location

Ever wondered what it feels like to be completely surrounded and desperate? This intense scene from ‘Danger Close’ shows a commander making an almost unthinkable call – it’s truly harrowing and gives you a raw taste of the battle’s desperation.

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