Men of Timor
| Men of Timor | |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Ken G. Hall (uncredited) |
| Narrated by | Peter Bathurst |
| Cinematography | Damien Parer |
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Production
company |
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|
Release date
|
January 1943 |
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Running time
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9 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Men of Timor is a 1943 short documentary propaganda film about the guerrilla warfare activities of Sparrow Force on Timor during World War II.
Plot[edit]
The film opens with a map of the area showing Timor in relation to the north Australian coast, and briefly explains the circumstances of the left behind Australian troops who did not surrender but carried on a guerrilla war against the Japanese. After some very difficult forays behind enemy lines to capture equipment for radio, they manage to contact Darwin. Wary of a possible Japanese trick they ask the men what the first name of a wife of a particular sergeant was. When the correct answer, Joan, is returned, the Australian military starts to airlift supplies to the guerrillas and their Timorese allies.
Production[edit]
Damien Parer and war correspondent Bill Marien travelled to Timor in November 1942 to report on the conflict. The Australian soldiers delayed an attack until Parer's arrival so he could film it.[1][2]
Reception[edit]
The Sydney Morning Herald called the movie "memorable":
It epitomises the almost unbelievable adventure, as well as the daring, initiative, and courage, of some of the men fighting in this war... Character and fighting spirit, resourcefulness and grim determination, often lurking behind a grin, have been captured In some superbly photographed close-ups of these now famed Australian guerillas, These studies are the highlights of a documentary picture that will definitely help to immortalise a military venture linked with the destiny of Australia.[3]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Men of Timor" at WW2 Australia
- ^ "PARER FILMS COMMANDO ACTIVITIES IN TIMOR.". Daily Mercury. Mackay, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 7 January 1943. p. 5. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
- ^ "Advertising.". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 4 January 1943. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
External links[edit]
- Complete film online on YouTube
- Men of Timor at the Internet Movie Database
- Men of Timor at Oz Movies
- Men of Timor at Australian War Memorial
- 22 minutes of Parer's original footage on Timor at Australian War Memorial
- Men of Timor at British Pathe
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