Tomorrow, When the War Began (film)
Encyclopedia
Tomorrow, When the War Began is a 2010 Australian adventure film
written and directed by Stuart Beattie
and based on the novel of the same name by John Marsden
. The film is produced by Andrew Mason and Michael Boughen. The story follows Ellie Linton, one of eight teenagers waging a guerrilla war against an invading foreign power in their fictional hometown of Wirrawee. The film stars Caitlin Stasey
as Ellie Linton and features an ensemble cast that includes Rachel Hurd-Wood
, Lincoln Lewis
and Phoebe Tonkin
.
Production began in September 2009. Principal photography
began on 28 September 2009, and concluded on 6 November 2009; filming took place in the Hunter Region and the Blue Mountains, in New South Wales
.
The teaser trailer for the film was released on 31 March 2010. The film was released in Australia and New Zealand on 2 September 2010 and was released in the UK
on 8 April 2011.
Country high school student Ellie (Caitlin Stasey
) sets off on a camping trip with close childhood friend Corrie (Rachel Hurd-Wood
), together with Corrie's boyfriend Kevin, Ellie's next-door neighbour Homer, high school crush Lee and friends Robyn and Fi. After driving Ellie's parents' Land Rover into the mountains, they hike down into a remote valley known as "Hell".
During their first night camping, Ellie wakes to a sky full of military aircraft. Upon arriving back town, the group finds their homes abandoned, with power, internet and telephone lines down. From the hill overlooking Robyn's house, the group sees that the only lights on in town are at the hospital and the showground. Upon reaching the showground, they find that the citizens of the town are being detained. Ellie witnesses a man being executed with a shot to the head, and in her horror retreats too quickly, being spotted by a searchlight. They flee but are pursued by soldiers into the backyard of a house. Ellie, using Kevin's singlet, lighter and the fuel tank of a ride-on lawn mower
, create an explosion that eliminates the squad.
On return to Corrie's house, they find that Lee and Robyn are missing. Ellie and Corrie witness an RAAF
jet fighter being shot down by enemy aircraft. Whilst the group gathers inside to plan for their return to Hell, an enemy helicopter performs a close examination of the house. Homer shoots out the helicopter's searchlight, which retreats after dropping flares. The group barely escape with their lives, after a jet destroys the home.
That night, Ellie and Homer sneak back into town and find Robyn in her house. Lee has been wounded, and is being treated by Dr Clements (Colin Friels
), the local dentist, who informs them that the invading forces are bringing in their vehicles and equipment from ships moored in Cobbler's Bay over the Wirrawee Bridge. After a brief skirmish with a pair of armed buggies
, Robyn, Homer, Lee and Ellie meet back up at Corrie's home. They decide to return to Hell.
On the way they stop at a random house, and are greeted by school mate Chris, who is incredibly stoned and has no idea that a war is going on. Chris joins the group. They return to Hell, with plans to use it as a secluded hideout where the enemy forces will not find them. While there, they hear a radio transmission revealing that Australia has been invaded by "The Coalition Nations" from nearby Asia, who believe that they have a right to the country's vast natural resources and wealth in order to sustain their growing populations. The transmission also reveals one of the three main ports being used to deposit soldiers into the country is nearby Cobbler's Bay, the only exit from which is the Heron Bridge, which the group then makes plans to destroy.
The group sneaks back to Wirrawee, and devise a plan to blow up Heron Bridge. Ellie and Fi steal a petrol tanker from the council depot. They park it near the bridge and, while waiting for the rest of the team to take their positions. After being discovered by guards, they rush to drive the tanker forward under the bridge. The plan necessarily brought forward, Homer and Lee scare a herd of cattle onto the bridge, forcing the sentry guards to flee their posts, allowing Ellie to park the tanker under the bridge unhindered. Working together, they manage to explode the tanker, which utterly destroys the bridge. Corrie however is shot as the group escapes.
Despite certain capture, Kevin decides to drive Corrie, who is seriously wounded, to the hospital and remain by her side. The group return to Hell. Ellie then finishes her video log, revealing their ongoing guerilla war, the necessity to fight, and that they have yet to be found.
Australia
on 28 September 2009 with early shooting in Dungog
. Raymond Terrace
was chosen as a major location for producing the film as it is "a great country town". Historic King Street, the former main street of the town, was transformed from a normally quiet location into Main Street, Wirrawee. The street began its transformation in September 2009, with set areas including the "Wirrawee Cinema" and the Lee family's Thai restaurant. Filming began in King Street on 21 October 2009 and continued until 27 October 2009. Filming in other locations in the town ended on 6 November 2009.
Other filming locations included Maitland
, the Blue Mountains and the Luskintyre
bridge. The Fox Studios site in Sydney was also used. The explosions of the house and bridge were filmed, scaled-down, at Terrey Hills
in northern Sydney.
reports that 61% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 41 reviews, with an average
score of 5.4/10. The site's consensus is that "While the script isn't amazing and the story's race issues linger, this adaptation of John Marsden's book is an exciting, action-heavy adventure that should please fans of the series."
Marc Fennell
of Triple J
wrote that Tomorrow, When the War Began has "patchy acting, fantastic action and some great slivers of humour in a movie that only gives off the faintest whiff of a xenophobic nation terrified of being invaded." Margaret Pomeranz
of At the Movies wrote that "Stuart Beattie handles the action well; I think he's less adept at handling the development of character, but I'm sure the numerous fans of the book will be satisfied with the movie."
A review by the Australian Special Broadcasting Service
was less generous, pointing out parallels to the 1984 movie Red Dawn
, starring Charlie Sheen
and Patrick Swayze
. It calls the plot weak and the ending a letdown.
27 million budget, the film was popular at the Australian and New Zealand box office, though internationally it was far less successful. In Australia, the film debuted at No. 1 and made $3.86 million during its first weekend and grossed 358,653 in its No. 1 debut in New Zealand. Within two weeks, the film grossed over $7.7 million in Australia to become the highest-grossing domestic film
of 2010.
Paramount acquired distribution rights for the UK, Russia, South Africa, Portugal and Scandinavia and "look forward to bringing this story to international audiences."
Despite earning over $13.5 million at the Australian box office, the film "failed to find an international audience" and earned a total of under $3 million in the rest of the world combined. This included $341,995 in the U.K. and $1,026,705 in New Zealand
Some Australian stores released the DVD of the film earlier than expected on 21 December 2010, nine days before the official release date. This was later confirmed by the film's official Facebook page.
Special features include John Marsden's view and an alternate ending.. Tomorrow, When the War Began now holds the record for the biggest first week sales for an Australian independently produced and financed film after selling almost 105,000 DVD copies since its release on December 30. The previous record was held by George Miller's animated Happy Feet, which sold about 95,000 copies in its first week in 2007.
and The Third Day, The Frost. He also stated that there may be a television series, adapting the remainder of the book series.
In December 2010, The Age
reported that The Dead of the Night had been green-lit for production, which would commence once the script by Stuart Beattie was completed, with release scheduled for 2012. Filming of the sequel, with a working title of Tomorrow 2 and based on The Dead of the Night, was due to commence in September 2011.
On 20 November 2011, Sydney's Daily Telegraph
reported that the sequel had apparently been cancelled. Lincoln Lewis
stated "At this stage it doesn't look like it's going to go ahead".
Adventure film
Adventure films are a genre of film.Unlike pure, low-budget action films they often use their action scenes preferably to display and explore exotic locations in an energetic way....
written and directed by Stuart Beattie
Stuart Beattie
Stuart Beattie is an Australian screenwriter and film director. He attended Knox Grammar School, in Sydney, Australia, where his mother, Sandra, was a languages teacher, and later Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.-Filmography:...
and based on the novel of the same name by John Marsden
John Marsden (writer)
John Marsden is an Australian writer, teacher and school principal. Marsden has had his books translated into nine languages including Swedish, Norwegian, French, German, Dutch, Danish, Italian and Spanish....
. The film is produced by Andrew Mason and Michael Boughen. The story follows Ellie Linton, one of eight teenagers waging a guerrilla war against an invading foreign power in their fictional hometown of Wirrawee. The film stars Caitlin Stasey
Caitlin Stasey
Caitlin Jean Stasey is an Australian actress from Melbourne, who is best known for her previous role as Rachel Kinski in Neighbours. Previously she played Francesca Thomas in The Sleepover Club...
as Ellie Linton and features an ensemble cast that includes Rachel Hurd-Wood
Rachel Hurd-Wood
Rachel Clare Hurd-Wood is an English actress. Her break-out role was as Wendy Darling in the 2003 movie Peter Pan.-Personal life:Rachel Hurd-Wood was born in London, England, the daughter of Philip and Sarah Hurd-Wood...
, Lincoln Lewis
Lincoln Lewis
Lincoln Clay Lewis is an Australian actor. He is best known for playing the role of Geoff Campbell in the Australian television series, Home and Away from 2007 to 2010, and Kevin Holmes in the film Tomorrow, When the War Began....
and Phoebe Tonkin
Phoebe Tonkin
Phoebe Jane Elizabeth Tonkin is an Australian actress and model. She is best known for portraying Cleo Sertori in H2O: Just Add Water and Fiona Maxwell in Tomorrow, When the War Began...
.
Production began in September 2009. Principal photography
Principal photography
thumb|300px|Film production on location in [[Newark, New Jersey]].Principal photography is the phase of film production in which the movie is filmed, with actors on set and cameras rolling, as distinct from pre-production and post-production....
began on 28 September 2009, and concluded on 6 November 2009; filming took place in the Hunter Region and the Blue Mountains, in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
The teaser trailer for the film was released on 31 March 2010. The film was released in Australia and New Zealand on 2 September 2010 and was released in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on 8 April 2011.
Plot
The film begins with a video log by Ellie. She asks the camera how she can tell their story. She suggests to herself "from the beginning."Country high school student Ellie (Caitlin Stasey
Caitlin Stasey
Caitlin Jean Stasey is an Australian actress from Melbourne, who is best known for her previous role as Rachel Kinski in Neighbours. Previously she played Francesca Thomas in The Sleepover Club...
) sets off on a camping trip with close childhood friend Corrie (Rachel Hurd-Wood
Rachel Hurd-Wood
Rachel Clare Hurd-Wood is an English actress. Her break-out role was as Wendy Darling in the 2003 movie Peter Pan.-Personal life:Rachel Hurd-Wood was born in London, England, the daughter of Philip and Sarah Hurd-Wood...
), together with Corrie's boyfriend Kevin, Ellie's next-door neighbour Homer, high school crush Lee and friends Robyn and Fi. After driving Ellie's parents' Land Rover into the mountains, they hike down into a remote valley known as "Hell".
During their first night camping, Ellie wakes to a sky full of military aircraft. Upon arriving back town, the group finds their homes abandoned, with power, internet and telephone lines down. From the hill overlooking Robyn's house, the group sees that the only lights on in town are at the hospital and the showground. Upon reaching the showground, they find that the citizens of the town are being detained. Ellie witnesses a man being executed with a shot to the head, and in her horror retreats too quickly, being spotted by a searchlight. They flee but are pursued by soldiers into the backyard of a house. Ellie, using Kevin's singlet, lighter and the fuel tank of a ride-on lawn mower
Lawn mower
A lawn mower is a machine that uses a revolving blade or blades to cut a lawn at an even length.Lawn mowers employing a blade that rotates about a vertical axis are known as rotary mowers, while those employing a blade assembly that rotates about a horizontal axis are known as cylinder or reel...
, create an explosion that eliminates the squad.
On return to Corrie's house, they find that Lee and Robyn are missing. Ellie and Corrie witness an RAAF
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
jet fighter being shot down by enemy aircraft. Whilst the group gathers inside to plan for their return to Hell, an enemy helicopter performs a close examination of the house. Homer shoots out the helicopter's searchlight, which retreats after dropping flares. The group barely escape with their lives, after a jet destroys the home.
That night, Ellie and Homer sneak back into town and find Robyn in her house. Lee has been wounded, and is being treated by Dr Clements (Colin Friels
Colin Friels
-Background and training:Friels was born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland. His mother was a mill worker and his father a joiner. He lived in Kilbirnie until 1963, when his family moved to Australia, arriving in Darwin, Northern Territory before settling in the Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows...
), the local dentist, who informs them that the invading forces are bringing in their vehicles and equipment from ships moored in Cobbler's Bay over the Wirrawee Bridge. After a brief skirmish with a pair of armed buggies
Dune buggy
A dune buggy is a recreational vehicle with large wheels, and wide tires, designed for use on sand dunes or beaches. The design is usually a modified vehicle and engine mounted on an open chassis. The modifications usually attempt to increase the power-to-weight ratio by either lightening the...
, Robyn, Homer, Lee and Ellie meet back up at Corrie's home. They decide to return to Hell.
On the way they stop at a random house, and are greeted by school mate Chris, who is incredibly stoned and has no idea that a war is going on. Chris joins the group. They return to Hell, with plans to use it as a secluded hideout where the enemy forces will not find them. While there, they hear a radio transmission revealing that Australia has been invaded by "The Coalition Nations" from nearby Asia, who believe that they have a right to the country's vast natural resources and wealth in order to sustain their growing populations. The transmission also reveals one of the three main ports being used to deposit soldiers into the country is nearby Cobbler's Bay, the only exit from which is the Heron Bridge, which the group then makes plans to destroy.
The group sneaks back to Wirrawee, and devise a plan to blow up Heron Bridge. Ellie and Fi steal a petrol tanker from the council depot. They park it near the bridge and, while waiting for the rest of the team to take their positions. After being discovered by guards, they rush to drive the tanker forward under the bridge. The plan necessarily brought forward, Homer and Lee scare a herd of cattle onto the bridge, forcing the sentry guards to flee their posts, allowing Ellie to park the tanker under the bridge unhindered. Working together, they manage to explode the tanker, which utterly destroys the bridge. Corrie however is shot as the group escapes.
Despite certain capture, Kevin decides to drive Corrie, who is seriously wounded, to the hospital and remain by her side. The group return to Hell. Ellie then finishes her video log, revealing their ongoing guerilla war, the necessity to fight, and that they have yet to be found.
Cast
- Caitlin StaseyCaitlin StaseyCaitlin Jean Stasey is an Australian actress from Melbourne, who is best known for her previous role as Rachel Kinski in Neighbours. Previously she played Francesca Thomas in The Sleepover Club...
as Ellie Linton, the film's protagonist and Lee's romantic interest. - Rachel Hurd-WoodRachel Hurd-WoodRachel Clare Hurd-Wood is an English actress. Her break-out role was as Wendy Darling in the 2003 movie Peter Pan.-Personal life:Rachel Hurd-Wood was born in London, England, the daughter of Philip and Sarah Hurd-Wood...
as Corrie McKenzie, Ellie's best friend and Kevin's romantic interest. - Lincoln LewisLincoln LewisLincoln Clay Lewis is an Australian actor. He is best known for playing the role of Geoff Campbell in the Australian television series, Home and Away from 2007 to 2010, and Kevin Holmes in the film Tomorrow, When the War Began....
as Kevin Holmes, Corrie's romantic interest. - Deniz Akdeniz as Homer Yannos, Ellie's next-door neighbour and Fiona's romantic interest.
- Phoebe TonkinPhoebe TonkinPhoebe Jane Elizabeth Tonkin is an Australian actress and model. She is best known for portraying Cleo Sertori in H2O: Just Add Water and Fiona Maxwell in Tomorrow, When the War Began...
as Fiona Maxwell, Homer's romantic interest. - Chris Pang as Lee Takkan, Ellie's romantic interest.
- Ashleigh Cummings as Robyn Mathers,
- Andy Ryan as Chris Lang,
- Colin FrielsColin Friels-Background and training:Friels was born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland. His mother was a mill worker and his father a joiner. He lived in Kilbirnie until 1963, when his family moved to Australia, arriving in Darwin, Northern Territory before settling in the Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows...
as Dr. Clement, the Wirrawee dentist
- Don Halbert as Mr. Linton
- Olivia Pigeot as Mrs. Linton
- Stephen Bourke as Police Officer
- Kelly Butler as Mrs. Maxwell
- Julia Yon as Mrs. Takkam
- Dane Carson as Mr. Mathers
- Matthew Dale as Mr. Coles
- Gary Quay as Senior Soldier
- Michael Camilleri as Tanker Driver
Production
Filming began in the Hunter Region of New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
on 28 September 2009 with early shooting in Dungog
Dungog, New South Wales
Dungog is a country town on the Williams River in the upper Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Australia. Located in the middle of dairy and timber country, it is the centre of the Dungog Shire Local Government Area and at the 2006 census it had a population of 2,102 people. The area includes the...
. Raymond Terrace
Raymond Terrace, New South Wales
Raymond Terrace is a town in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about by road north of Newcastle on the Pacific Highway. Established in 1837 it is situated at the confluence of the Hunter and Williams rivers and has about 12,600 residents. It is the administrative centre of the Port...
was chosen as a major location for producing the film as it is "a great country town". Historic King Street, the former main street of the town, was transformed from a normally quiet location into Main Street, Wirrawee. The street began its transformation in September 2009, with set areas including the "Wirrawee Cinema" and the Lee family's Thai restaurant. Filming began in King Street on 21 October 2009 and continued until 27 October 2009. Filming in other locations in the town ended on 6 November 2009.
Other filming locations included Maitland
Maitland, New South Wales
Maitland is a city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia and the seat of Maitland City Council, situated on the Hunter River approximately by road north of Sydney and north-west of Newcastle...
, the Blue Mountains and the Luskintyre
Luskintyre, New South Wales
Luskintyre, New South Wales is a small rural area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. It is off the New England Highway near Lochinvar. Luskintyre stretches over 15 kilometres between Lochinvar and Lambs Valley. The Luskintyre bridge was used in the filming of the popular film "Tomorrow When...
bridge. The Fox Studios site in Sydney was also used. The explosions of the house and bridge were filmed, scaled-down, at Terrey Hills
Terrey Hills, New South Wales
Terrey Hills is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Terrey Hills is located 25 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Warringah Council and is part of the Northern Beaches region.Terrey Hills is also considered...
in northern Sydney.
Critical response
Tomorrow, When the War Began received mixed reviews. Review aggregate website Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
reports that 61% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 41 reviews, with an average
Weighted mean
The weighted mean is similar to an arithmetic mean , where instead of each of the data points contributing equally to the final average, some data points contribute more than others...
score of 5.4/10. The site's consensus is that "While the script isn't amazing and the story's race issues linger, this adaptation of John Marsden's book is an exciting, action-heavy adventure that should please fans of the series."
Marc Fennell
Marc Fennell
- Film reviewing :In 2002, Fennell was a winner of the first AFI Young Film Critics Competition. He then became the film critic and reporter for Sydney radio station FBi Radio from 2003-2006....
of Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
wrote that Tomorrow, When the War Began has "patchy acting, fantastic action and some great slivers of humour in a movie that only gives off the faintest whiff of a xenophobic nation terrified of being invaded." Margaret Pomeranz
Margaret Pomeranz
Margaret Pomeranz AM is an Australian film critic and television personality.-Early life:Pomeranz was born in 1944 in Waverley, a suburb of Sydney, and was educated at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney in Croydon, the then newly opened Macquarie University, and the Playwright's Studio at...
of At the Movies wrote that "Stuart Beattie handles the action well; I think he's less adept at handling the development of character, but I'm sure the numerous fans of the book will be satisfied with the movie."
A review by the Australian Special Broadcasting Service
Special Broadcasting Service
The Special Broadcasting Service is a hybrid-funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television network. The stated purpose of SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect...
was less generous, pointing out parallels to the 1984 movie Red Dawn
Red Dawn
Red Dawn is a 1984 American war film directed by John Milius and co-written by Milius and Kevin Reynolds. It stars Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen and Jennifer Grey....
, starring Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
and Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze
Patrick Wayne Swayze was an American actor, dancer and singer-songwriter. He was best known for his tough-guy roles, as romantic leading men in the hit films Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and as Orry Main in the North and South television miniseries. He was named by People magazine as its "Sexiest...
. It calls the plot weak and the ending a letdown.
Box office
Despite not coming close to its A$Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
27 million budget, the film was popular at the Australian and New Zealand box office, though internationally it was far less successful. In Australia, the film debuted at No. 1 and made $3.86 million during its first weekend and grossed 358,653 in its No. 1 debut in New Zealand. Within two weeks, the film grossed over $7.7 million in Australia to become the highest-grossing domestic film
Cinema of Australia
Cinema of Australia, more commonly referred to as the Australian film industry, refers to the system of production, distribution, and exhibition of films in Australia. Film production commenced in Australia in 1906 with the production of The Story of the Kelly Gang, the earliest feature film made...
of 2010.
Paramount acquired distribution rights for the UK, Russia, South Africa, Portugal and Scandinavia and "look forward to bringing this story to international audiences."
Despite earning over $13.5 million at the Australian box office, the film "failed to find an international audience" and earned a total of under $3 million in the rest of the world combined. This included $341,995 in the U.K. and $1,026,705 in New Zealand
| Australia | New Zealand | Total |
|---|---|---|
| A$ Australian dollar The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu... 13,468,863 |
1,279,688 A$ Australian dollar The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu... 972,255.30 |
A$ Australian dollar The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu... 14,441,118.30 |
Accolades
| Award | Category | Name | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Inside Film Awards | Best Feature Film | ||
| Best Script | Stuart Beattie | ||
| Best Music | |||
| Best Actress | Caitlin Stasey | ||
| 2010 Australian Screen Sound Guild Sound Awards | Soundtrack of the Year | ||
| Best Film Sound Recording | David Lee, Gerry Nucifora, Emma Barham | ||
| 52nd Australian Film Institute Awards 2010 Australian Film Institute Awards The 2010 Australian Film Institute Awards ceremony, presented by the Australian Film Institute , honoured the best Australian Films of 2010 and took place on 11 December 2010 at the Regent Theatre, in Melbourne, Victoria.... |
Best Adapted Screenplay | Stuart Beattie | |
| Best Sound | Andrew Plain, David Lee, Gethin Creagh, Robert Sullivan | ||
| Best Film | Andrew Mason, Michael Boughen | ||
| Young Actor Award | Ashleigh Cummings | ||
| Readers' Choice Award | Andrew Mason, Michael Boughen | ||
| Members' Choice Award | Andrew Mason, Michael Boughen | ||
| Best Editing | Marcus D'Arcy | ||
| Best Production Design | Robert Webb, Michelle McGahey, Damien Drew, Bev Dunn | ||
| Visual Effects Award | Chris Godfrey, Sigi Eimutis, Dave Morely, Tony Cole | ||
| 19th Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards 2011 The 19th Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, honoring the best in films from 2010, were presented on 13 March 2011 at North Sydney Leagues Club in Cammeray, New South Wales and hosted by Rod Quinn. The nominees were announced on 8 February 2011 with Animal Kingdom receiving ten nominations... |
Best Film | Liz Watts | |
| Best Director | Stuart Beattie | ||
| Best Screenplay | Stuart Beattie | ||
| Best Cinematography | Ben Nott | ||
| Best Editor | Marcus D’Arcy | ||
Home media
The DVD and Blu-ray editions of the film were released on December 30, 2010. Both editions were released in widescreen and have additional special features.Some Australian stores released the DVD of the film earlier than expected on 21 December 2010, nine days before the official release date. This was later confirmed by the film's official Facebook page.
Special features include John Marsden's view and an alternate ending.. Tomorrow, When the War Began now holds the record for the biggest first week sales for an Australian independently produced and financed film after selling almost 105,000 DVD copies since its release on December 30. The previous record was held by George Miller's animated Happy Feet, which sold about 95,000 copies in its first week in 2007.
Sequels
Executive producer Christopher Mapp stated that there may be two sequels, based on the novels The Dead of the NightThe Dead of The Night
The Dead of the Night Is the second book in the Tomorrow series series by John Marsden. It is a young adult invasion literature novel, detailing the occupation of Australia by an unnamed foreign power...
and The Third Day, The Frost. He also stated that there may be a television series, adapting the remainder of the book series.
In December 2010, The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
reported that The Dead of the Night had been green-lit for production, which would commence once the script by Stuart Beattie was completed, with release scheduled for 2012. Filming of the sequel, with a working title of Tomorrow 2 and based on The Dead of the Night, was due to commence in September 2011.
On 20 November 2011, Sydney's Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
The Daily Telegraph is an Australian tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, by Nationwide News, part of News Corporation.The Tele, as it is also known, was founded in 1879. From 1936 to 1972, it was owned by Frank Packer's Australian Consolidated Press. That year it was sold to...
reported that the sequel had apparently been cancelled. Lincoln Lewis
Lincoln Lewis
Lincoln Clay Lewis is an Australian actor. He is best known for playing the role of Geoff Campbell in the Australian television series, Home and Away from 2007 to 2010, and Kevin Holmes in the film Tomorrow, When the War Began....
stated "At this stage it doesn't look like it's going to go ahead".