Tomorrow: When The War Began – My review
Right o, I don’t want to spoil the experience for you guys, so I’m going to keep this short and sweet.
On June 16, 2009, Screen Australia announced that John Marsden’s “Tomorrow, When The War Began” was to be made into a film. After a short bout of unintentional girlish squealing, similar to what I’m told is commonly seen throughout Twilight films, I managed to calm myself and began thinking about what this means to the thousands of fans. A story that means so much to so many people was about to be reinvented for the big screen. Many concerns were voiced from fans, and admittedly, I had my own.
Ellie (played by Caitlin Stasey) is Tomorrow’s protagonist. For me, Ellie was what had to be right in the film adaptation, above anything else. It’s her story, and if she wasn’t played right, the film would fall apart. After “officially” waiting since 2004 for a Tomorrow film, my concerns were well and truly quashed, when I saw the film a week ago at its world premiere in Sydney.
Caitlin, we want to hug you.
The chemistry between the cast was outstanding, from the very faithful, perfectly written and delivered dialogue, to the subtle glances and natural reactions between each actor.
The locations were beautiful. The opening shots of Wirrawee and the surrounding land, following Ellie’s camcorder introduction, particularly stuck with me.
Each character is introduced early on, faithfully to how they were in the novel, and what surprised me more than anything throughout the film was how funny certain scenes were. Homer’s (Deniz Akdeniz) introduction in the beginning, where he exits a police station wearing a t-shit with “F#@K THE POLICE” printed on the front, particularly comes to mind. As we know, upon returning from Hell (which was breathtakingly beautiful, needless to say), the group finds their homes deserted, and make their way into town to suss things out. This is the turning point for the film, where the group and the audience are violently thrown into the war.
Stuart Beattie has put a lot of emphasis on giving each character a strong personality. The humour present in the novel has been really accentuated, along with the characters’ transitions into living in a war zone. Several scenes were changed, and several scenes were written from scratch, but it all works. Chris (Andy Ryan) and Robyn (Ashleigh Cummings) have been altered in several ways in the film, as mentioned by John Marsden, but this also works. Chris is uniquely loveable in a way that wasn’t really present in the novel, and Robyn has been given a much more obvious point of normal-life to war-life transition, which was incredibly moving.
Being objective is almost impossible for me, having waited for a Tomorrow film for so long, having had my own ideas on how it should be done, and seeing the ideas of many other people. I did however manage to walk into the cinema with a clear mind, hoping for something good but having no expectations… and I left the cinema jumping. I’ve been buzzing since, and will be seeing Tomorrow: When The War Began many more times, when it’s officially released.
Nick
Fantastic
I was looking forward to read your thoughts on the movie! I’m glad that Caitlin played her role perfectly, she had to be right above anything else.
I noticed Homer’s shirt in the behind the scenes footage, I thought it was hilarious! Now I feel a lot better, especially because you said that the characters were very faithful to the book!
It has been a long while since I read the books and my memory is hazy on the details. So I guess that helps keep my mind open about the movie. Looking forward to it!
wicked
I’m hoping to be seeing it in Gold Class
~
Brad, bookings are open for gold class now if u want to get in early
“Caitlin, we want to hug you” — reminds me of ahugfromtaylorswift.com
Want to start our own mission?
Great review. I saw the film last night at the QLD premiere. It was amazing; the best novel to screen adaptation I have seen.
Support Aussie films; be sure to see TWTWB during its national release and contribute those box office dollars towards convincing Screen Australia, Paramount and Omnilab into pushing The Dead of the Night into production!
Can I join in on that mission please Ryan? She is drop-dead gorgeous. I want to marry her.
Great; it sounds awesome!
XX
Have not seen it yet; but i am gladly reassured that Caitlin Stacey has stood up and shined for the role of Ellie Linton in the movie.
It all sounds greatly inspiring and i cannot wait to see it; it should be epic!!!
Though it is a shame i will not be able to see it in actual big screen (E.g, The Cinema) because of a holiday, but ah welll i guess i shall survive… there is such thing as pirated movies in the world, whihc i am ashamed to say! Maybe or Maybe not whether i have the patience to wait until it come son DVD, or i get my friend to download it earlier OR i score lucky to find out its still screening in the Cinemas when i get back; I AM 100% CONFIDENT THAT I WILL SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!
Great; it sounds awesome!
Have not seen it yet; but i am gladly reassured that Caitlin Stacey has stood up and shined for the role of Ellie Linton in the movie.
It all sounds greatly inspiring and i cannot wait to see it; it should be epic!!!
Though it is a shame i will not be able to see it in actual big screen (E.g, The Cinema) because of a holiday, but ah welll i guess i shall survive… just.. i ll just have to be patient!!!
Sorry about that; double posting! A complete accident; it said firstly that thre was error of publishing because a duplicate had been dedected. :/
Don’t just support this film because it’s an Aussie film go see it because you loved the book and it’s a great story and film!
Can’t wait to see it in Gold Class!!
Great post miffta, my thoughts exactly. Let’s support out long awaited Tomorrow, When the War Began Movie!!!
I’m even more excited about seeing the movie now that I’ve read your thoughts! I’d kind of forgotten about it once the filming was done cos of the long wait for it to hit the cinemas but it’s almost upon us now and I’m so excited!!! I’m the same as Anthony – haven’t read the books for quite a while so the details of certain events etc are a bit hazy for me so it’ll be good to watch with fresh eyes and not be comparing it too much to the books
Thanks for this review. I’m waiting sinds 1995 for this movie, I was almost 14 years when I read it and LOVED it and now I’m 29 it’s still one of my favorite books. I hope it really comes out in the cinema’s in Holland but otherwise I buy the dvd. I’m glad to here that most of the concerns are not necessary and I really hope I love the movie to. Have a nice day!
I am so excited to see this movie! I’ll be going to the 25 metre screen at southbank (Brisbane) to see this!
I made my dad read the books a couple of months ago because I know he likes war novels, and despite the fact that it’s mostly a teen novel, he loved it! And read the rest of the series including the ellie chronicals within about a month or two! He mostly reads Bryce Courtenay, so that was a surprise!
Cant wait to see the movie – sounds like it’ll be legend
Im reading the second book The Dead of the Night right now and its awesome
I’m dying to watch this movie. I’m waiting for it since 2006, when the first book was released here in brazil, translated to portuguese. I’m addicted to the series since then, hahahah. but the bad thing is that the series are not so popular here as it is in usa ou australia. that’s why I’m a little worried about whether the movie is going to be released here or not. well, I hope it is, specially after your review =) congratulations for the text and the awesome website!
Hugs for brazil.
I’m sorry, I meant hugs FROM brazil, not for brazil. =)
Yeah! I’m so excited fo watching the movie! I just can’t wait!
And, like Amanda, we want the movie here in Brazil! It’ gonna be unfair if it don’t come here………
hey!
i know it is a battle movie, but could you tell me how much graphic violence is shown?
is there too much to drag along a squeemish friend?
Hey Ace,
Overall it’s not too bad. There is one scene that’s a bit graphic. Brilliantly done, though. Somewhat Schindler’s List-esque. I’d say you’d be doing them a favour by dragging them along to it. Was fantastic
Watched the premier in Newcastle tonight. Not too bad but it did remind me of Red Dawn. The people who owned the house that was blown up were in the audience. Good to see it was filmed in the Hunter Valley.
Cheers
Just saw the movie last nice, and I was blown away!!!
This is definately a turning point for Australian cinema and something we can really be proud to show an international audience.
I can’t WAIT to see it again on September 2nd, tickets are already booked!
hello!
anyone have an idea when the release date for this movie is in ireland? i checked on imdb.com, but it wasn’t much help.
frickin’ can’t wait to see this >.<!
If it isn’t on IMDB then there probably isn’t any information yet. Many international fans are on the lookout for dates, when a date becomes available it will probably be posted on several sites.
i thought someone might know now. guess i’m too impatient.
thanks anyway.
It is just a little bit frustrating to read everything and hear nothing about an international release.
But, information about will appear sooner or later. If the movie is successful in Australia it will become more interesting for distribution in other countries.
It’s great to see there are Irish fans to!
Eeek cant wait to see it!!!
thanks for the review nick =D
Went to the Newcastle premiere – great movie! As a person who has not yet read the books – I found the movie enjoyable and very funny especially Chris (what a character!), I hope they make the sequels as I can’t wait for them to come out. Well done Andrew Mason and Stuart Beattie – sure to be a hit, especially amongst Marsden fans.
So reassuring to read your comments, I have adored this series since school and re-read the first three books every few years, just because I enjoy the characters and their stories so much. Very glad to hear the movie was made with John Marsden’s sign off, it would be great to see what he has to say about the screen adaption. I’m also a big fan of the Pirates movies (first one particularly for so many reasons), so looking forward to see what Stuart Beattie has done with TWTWB. I’m very excited to see the movie and Gold Class sounds like a good idea! Bring it on!
Went to the Perth preview screening -what can I say? They got the details right down to the 2 minute noodles! I had extremely high expectations, scared that the movie wouldn’t live up to the books – but for me it felt like I was reading the book all over again, I just happened to be watching it instead, I wasn’t disappointed one bit.
I want to know when it will be released in the US, if it ever is. Because I’ve been waiting to see it for so long. And if i have to wait another year until it’s on DVD I’m going to be mad
I did the whole squeal thing too when I found out just recently. The tomorrow series of books are one of my big fav’s. Counting down to when it comes to cinema, hoping to see it on the 3rd. I’m excited, rave to everyone about it. My husband is getting sick of hearing about it.
I think it’s gonna be unfair if the book comes all over the word but the movie don’t. I really hope it comes to south america, or just to Brazil if it’s the case. I’ve already told it before and I say again: I JUST CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH THE MOVIE OUT!
Heey readers ,
I had to read the book for school and everyone loveed it all 30 of usss
heyy guys,
this book was really good but really also boring i think it needs to be more interesting
and i hope corrie gets better and i hope they find kevin and corrie………….
it was great
heyy
the movie has more explosions in it and is more interesting.they leave out all the boring bits
also the movie is going to be great i cant wait we are going to see it with our school………………. i have seen the trailer and it looks good so yeah its going to be great
dalyellup college
year 9′s tabatha stewart chloe mangan and madisyn ryan
were awesome
I’m reading the series at the moment. I pictured Chris Shorter and blonde, also very skinny and weak looking… But the rest of the actors and actresses are mean as ae! Kiwis coming to the the rescue in the second and third book ftw
Hopefully they make the entire series into movies! AND a tv series!!! Would be my new obsession… 
I’ll go to see it on general release. Was just too tired after the film festival to go to the premiere screening. Am trying to finish the full series of books before I go to see it.
Anyone besides me got the awesome movie cover novel of Tomorrow,When The War Began? Ellie (Caitlin Stasey) is on the cover of it, and as always she looks absolutely stunning. They chose a brilliant picture for the cover.
I don’t like the idea of making the last four novels into TV movies. If anyone meets Stuart Beattie, please convince him to make all seven into movies, NOT TV movies, because it would kill the series completely.
i completely, totally agree with you
AGREED, lets just hope that everyone goes out and sees it a couple of times at the movies instead of burning it.
i cannot believe it! the day is almost here, ‘SCREAMO’.. ah i can’t wait to watch it, like once i found out it was being made into a movie i totally begged me ‘rents to let me see it.. sure i have to take my brothers and all but it’d be totally worth it and the wait… Like after reading that review theres NO WAY IM MISSING IT!!! Oh My Buddha! (i ain’t buddist). i gotta admit though it was kinda sad :’( that their making the ‘enemies’ seem quite asian but i guess we have to make them a race not just blank faces. And by the way… another ‘SCREAMO’!!!!!!!!!!
i went to see the movie premier and it was great. The charecters played their parts perfectly.
i cant wait to see the movie again
i LOVE the books i LOVE the movie just as much
i have loved these books for YEARS and always told myself if i won lotto i would pay someone to make the movies! haha.
I was a bit worried about a few of the choices of actors they chose for the roles but am still so excited to see it!
everyone is saying the movie is amazing so fingers crossed!!!
i usually hate it when i read books then watch a movie coz the movie is such a let down. New Moon in the Twilight series especially (Eclipse was a lot closer to the book however)
but these are my all time FAVOURITE! John Marsden is the most amazing author!
CANT WAIT!!!!
I read Stuart Beattie wants to change the cast when he does the TV series, so they’ll look the right age. I really don’t like the sounds of that though! You need the original cast! What does everyone else think?
If the books are put into a TV series it would be the right thing to make them the right age. The original cast are not the only ones – the plot is what makes this work. Cheers
True. But it would take away some of the realism to the story. If you go taking characters away and putting new ones in every so often it gets harder to like and relate to.
yeah i agree. it would look weird with 30 year old actors but you can’t just reput new people in. it will never be as good. hard decision lets hope they make the right one.
That’s if they even make any sequels! Let’s just hope the movie does as well as possible!
Exactly. People, you have to slow down a little. We can’t even be sure this film will be released internationally and until it is an international success all this sequel talk will just be talk.
i reckon they just alter the story a bit and make it a war last a few years (like two or three) that way they can age a bit more?
and if they film 23 and make a series, it should only take 4 to 5 years, and they are in a pretty safe age zone, they wont change physically very much.
that movie was so f*****g awesome movie, but i want to know will there be a part 2 cause the movie didnt cover everything the book did
basicly its gonna be a success so what they need to do is raise the money and make all the movies at once. they can raise the money by going to famous austrlian celebs and asking them to chip in.
I just saw it and I thought it was brilliant. They stuck to the book really well and the only thing I pointed out that they missed was Hermit’s Hut which I was kind of glad about as that bit was a bit random. I especially liked how the introduced the characters at the start of the film and how they should the character’s different lifestyles and personalities. I heard that they are making another two movies and the rest into a T.V series but I just want them to make the books all into movies because if it became a T.V show then it would get all soapy and the effects wouldn’t be as good. I think that some of the actors are probably sick of acting those sort of things.
Yer I didn’t really mind that they missed out the Hermit and his hut. It’s not that important in the books so it seemed fine to skip it. I’ve read that they were making the first three into movies and then the TV series. I agree with you, a TV series would not be anywhere as good as a movie.
Brilliant! Ellie – Brilliant! What a moment when Ellie looked up at the billboard and saw the British ‘interacting’ with our Aboriginal people. Ah…history repeating itself maybe? Loved the movie! It made me laugh, made me cry, made me wonder. I am going to read the books again.
What about the ending? Is there another part coming
Loved the movie. Glad i wasn’t disappointed. Can’t wait for The dead of the night. Makes me want to bring out the tattered and worn out tomorrow series books and start from the beginning. Loved all the characters in the movie. Got a little crush on Deniz Akdeniz who plays Homer. So lovable. Give me more!
Just want to point out to people, the weapon they use it not an AK-47 Model is in fact either AK-74M or AK-101/103 Models with mounted Picantinny Rails to support Red Dots Sights/Scope and Flashlight Attachments. By the look of their Weapon build they must be ‘Professional’ Soldiers.
This movie is an excellent Aussie movie I would watch it again, as it deals with real life things happening everyday.does anyone know if there is going to be another one?
I was introduced to the books by a much younger friend. I thoroughly enjoyed the books, but when I heard that the first was to be made into a film, I was prepared to be disappointed- as (I think it is Corrie) says within the film- “The movie is never as good as the book”.
I have just got in from seeing the film, and must say that it is wonderful! Naturally a lot of the interaction of characters that takes place in the books (possibly to some the ‘boring bits’) have been left out, but the actors themselves create the characters almost to the degree that I imagined them. Having said that, Lee is a bit too tall, but that is about the limit of the differences .
Films have to be more about the action, and this one has it in plenty, but still lets the characters develop. IMHO a brilliant piece of work, I do hope it is a great success in Australia, and especially overseas.
Australian film drama can build on this!
Hi,
I agree with your review – I absolutely loved the film!!! Having been an avid tomorrow fan since primary school, I was excited to hear after so many years they’d be turning the novel into a movie!! When I saw the cast list released on the net I was skeptical at first – many of the actors I had not seen before except Rachel Hurd-Wood in Peter Pan and Lincoln Lewis from Home and Away.
Nevertheless I am thrilled with the performances all the cast members portrayed in the film!! If I had the opportunity to I would congratulate Caitlin for her amazing adaptation of Ellie Linton, she played her wonderfully and all of Ellie’s attributes and qualities were seen. She has me convinced she can act!! I also loved the other characters, Homer was hilarious, Lee quite and mysterious as he should be and Kevin arrogant and Corrie the bestfriend. Robyn was different to how i’d imagined (i.e. not very sporty) but she stilled suited the movie well! Chris gave me a few giggles too.
Overall I cannot wait for the sequel!!! Keep up the amazing work everyone!
The movie was totally AWESOME, but I wan’t to know when the movie following this one will be released…. Does anyone know when it will be released??? Please let me know ASAP because I want to be the first to see it… I can’t wait!!!!!!
What happened to the Hermit’s hut… I kinda wanted to see how it looked like.
saw the movie last night with my partner, it was great. just clarifying cause the ending kinda left us both hanging…will there be another release…?
I have seen it 4 times now at the movies and want to go again.
It is the best movie i have ever seen. It made me laugh and cry.
I can’t wait till the movie comes out, but i would love a soundtrack too!
And PLEASE, please, please make all the books come to life? PLEASE!!
i loved this movie when it ended i wanted it to ceep going and i hope they make it a series or im gonna die!!!!!!!!!!!!the movie only went for 10 seconds!!!!unfare!!!
loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its a great book i am still reading it though and I dont want to see the movie before I read the book!!!
Great movie but horrible ending! Too sudden and left in the air.
i think the ending needed to be open ended so its easy for sequels to be added.
i hope that there will be more movies
This has to rate as one of the worst movies of all time.
I rated it a 3 out of 10.
Now, I watch a lot of movies not just this teen rubbish.This movie was like watching Neighbours trying to get serious and the acting was just as terrible.
The script was just as bad and the whole concept is just laughable.
I f we were to be invaded I don’t think they would be mucking about with little towns.
The bombs would be dropping or would they just send in a small nuke or perhaps an implosion bomb.
I hope there is not a sequal, I am sure Paramount have lost enough money on this stinker all ready.
While I don’t care that you didn’t like the movie, I find your reasons for disliking the movie, laughable. For example, the fact that you said, “If we were to be invaded I don’t think they would be mucking about with little towns.” Clearly this shows you weren’t paying attention to the movie, because if you were, you’d remember that it’s mentioned that near-by Cobblers Bay is being used as one of the major landing zones for the invaders, so it’s paramount that they have complete and total control over the area, including the small towns near-by. Also, you said, “The bombs would be dropping or would they just send in a small nuke or perhaps an implosion bomb.” They want the land, and the resources, and dropping implosion bombs will render those things useless. Please, think about what you say before you say it. It’s better to be a fool and stay cool, than to speak out and remove all doubt.
Thank you I was going to reply to that review and say exactly the same things you said. I know everyones entitled to an opinion but it really does help if u make sure you know what ur talking about before u say anything. Thumbs up to u mate.
troll troll troll your posts, gently down the net, merrily merrily merrily merrily — Flaming’s what you get.
Worst movie I’ve ever seen. Acting was terrible, I was hoping Ellie would get shot, her whinging every 2 seconds was doing my head in.
What the hell was with that stoner guy Andy (or whatever his name was)? Most ridiculous unnecessary character in the whole movie, did the director say “Now, you have to pretend that you’re acting like a guy that’s pretending that he’s acting like a guy that’s PRETENDING like he’s ACTING like a guy that’s stoned? Follow me?” Maybe he should’ve actually smoked some pot, ‘research’ his role.
And we’re lead to believe that a group of moronic teenagers can outsmart an invading army, ahuh.
Not trolling, just hate this movie.
You call it “whinging” yet their entire life was thrown upside down. It’s an interesting thought that if it were to happen to you or I, how we would react to having those we love imprisoned with the possibility of never seeing them again, or perhaps being caught and killed at at moment.
As for Andy Ryan (Chris) was a character in the book. Incase you haven’t read them, as your ignorance indicates, he was exactly as he was in the movie. He may have had to act a little more ‘stoned’ than what he would be, but being a ‘weirdo, stoner’ the audience has to see that he is actually portraying his role properly.
Calling them ‘moronic teenagers’ is rather ridiculous. I don’t see a thing they did to make themselves out as morons, having survived an invasion goes to show how they outsmart their invaders.
It appears you have seen the movie, hated it for some pathetic reason, and come onto a FANSITE page to complain about it.
See who is moron now?
Chris, Oh I completely get the plot, worlds turned upside down etc etc, I’m not being critical about the plot – it was the reason I watched it, however good plot with terrible acting still makes for awful movie.
omg to @daniel your a looser get a life man ive just watched this movie and its absoloutly more addictive than stargate the series itself. omg the best film i have seen yet
def yes to anyone who has not seen this film yet omg creamed my panties when the movie ended its better than porn guys
i know, i have no taste
still in the process of watching the movie, but i would go as far as to say the acting in this movies amazingly good the way the movie is done it makes you feel like you are a part of the action. so you judge all you like guys in my opinion if we had to give a rating out of ten i would give it a 10.
I LOVED THE MOVIE I CAN’T WAIT TO THE SEQUEL I AM REALLY INSPIRED BY THE TOMORROW MOVIE IT’S ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MOVIES P.S. LOVE LEE AND ELLIE TOGETHER (:
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