Kokoda is a 2006 Australian film about Australian militias from the 39th Battalion during the titular World War II campaign.
The story is set in 1942. The Japanese forces have advanced through Asia, conquering large parts of it. Australia is under the threat of invasion. To prevent this, a bunch of poorly trained militias are sent to Papua New Guinea to hold off the advancing Japanese forces along the only way to Port Moresby, which is the extremely muddy and hostile Kokoda Trail. Under-equipped, under-supplied and sleep deprived, the men of the 39th Battalion make their way through one of the most claustrophobic, exhausting and frightening theaters of the war.
This film provides examples of:
- Cold-Blooded Torture: Done to Blue by the Japanese after he stayed behind to provide cover with his Bren.
- Deadpan Snarker: Everyone, as befits a movie about Australian soldiers.Dan: "I don't suppose its too late to ask for leave on compassionate grounds at this late juncture?"Sam: "And what grounds would those be?"Dan: "Grounds of 'I don't wanna get me head blown off'"
- Eye Scream: One poor sod (the audience's sympathy for him is reduced because of his previous behaviour as a Dirty Coward) hides beneath a log, then gets out only to discover a Japanese soldier pointing a bayonet at his face. Ouch.
- Highly-Conspicuous Uniform: The Aussies are stuck in desert uniforms, which isn't exactly the best protection in a jungle environment.
- Hungry Jungle: Portrayed extremely well, with the lighting and claustrophobia creating a fantastic atmosphere.
- Jungle Warfare: Naturally, since this film is set in the South Pacific, and the Aussies are forced to trek through the jungle to battle the Japanese and vice-versa.
- Mobile Shrubbery: Unlike the Aussies, the Japanese have the luxury of ghillie suits. Nothing says Oh, Crap! like a patch of grass slowly rising up behind the Lieutenant.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: Which successfully held back the Japanese despite being outnumbered and outgunned, and eventually turned them away. (also a Truth in Television)
- Squad Nickname: the regular army forces nicknamed the concripts "chocos", short for "chocolate soldiers" (because they thought that they would "melt under pressure", Truth in Television)
