John Marsden’s Tomorrow series is without doubt the best Australian youth fiction series ever written. The seven titles have sold over 2.5 million copies and have been translated into seven languages. Marsden has won every major writing award in Australia for young people’s fiction as well as many international accolades. He has twice been named among the Best Books of the Year by the American Library Association, has won the Grand Jury Prize as Austria’s Most Popular Writer for Teenagers, and in Germany the coveted Buxtehuder Bulle, an award given biennially for the best young person’s book in the world for the preceding two years.
It seems almost every young person in this country who read books in the ‘90s loved the Tomorrow series with passion bordering on fanaticism. For those who didn’t have the pleasure however, (and if that’s you, I implore you to head to your nearest book shop or library to change that, stat), TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN follows the journey of eight young Australians whose lives are suddenly and violently upended by a war that no one saw coming. It’s nail biting stuff, and just as pertinent today as it was when released in ‘93.
When I met Marsden at his writing camp in 2003, he spoke at length about his strong resistance to having the series adapted for screen. Wanting it left alone to be able to stand by itself, he turned down at least 130 film companies. When I mention this to Christopher Pang, the 20-year-old Melbournian who plays softly spoken and intensely brooding Lee Takkam, he immediately shoots back, “Well that’s because he’d never been approached by Stuart Beattie.”
Beattie wrote Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Collateral, 3:10 to Yuma and Australia. TWTWB is his directorial debut, and one can only imagine what kind of magic he would’ve had to have pulled out of his hat in order to change Marsden’s mind. An underlying commitment to and deep love of the book and its characters would have been key, naturally, and this shines in the film. So much so that Marsden has expressed not only approval, but delight.
“I’m so happy John was so pleased with it and only had good things to say about it. Because I mean really, John would be the hardest person to please, and he loved it. And he’s not someone who just says things to be nice. He says what’s on his mind. He’s a very intelligent guy. But for him to say such good things about the film means a lot for all of us,” Pang enthuses.
Marsden’s love of the film is unsurprising, for it is indeed a brilliant adaptation. The casting is excellent; nineteen-year-old Caitlin Stasey captures the perfect balance of intelligence, stubbornness and strength that is integral to lead character Ellie Linton, and she looks as at home using a chainsaw as she does an AK-47. Homer, played by Greek god Deniz Akdeniz, is buff, arrogant and completely lovable, Ashleigh Cummings is tremendously affecting in her portrayal of devoutly religious Robyn, and Rachel Hurd-Wood brings grace and humility to the role of Corrie. Phoebe Tonkin as the seemingly precious yet ultimately resilient Fi is pretty close to perfect, as is Lincoln Lewis as the initially morally questionable Kevin, and Andrew Ryan pulls off the apathetic stoner role of Chris convincingly.
Last but not least there’s Lee; easily the most complex character in the book. Says Pang, “[Stuart Beattie and I] talked about it a lot when we developed the characters, because he is a hard character. He is complex, and a lot happens in his head and through his expression and his eyes rather than his words. He doesn’t say that much. I think he says about three words in the first half of the film. But more is said through the unsaid.”
The chemistry and camaraderie between the young actors is evidently genuine. Says Pang, “It was eight young people just… chillin’. Obviously when the cameras were on we were professional and we were working but in our down time we would just relax and muck around. Everyone got along really well.”
In addition to the casting and performances, the numerous action sequences are thrilling. I had to keep reminding myself, ‘you know what happens, you know they get out of here alive, so calm down and stop covering your eyes!’ (I’ll admit I’m not really the action film type). Producer Andrew Mason’s (The Matrix trilogy) great deal of experience in big budget productions and visual effects shows; the explosions are jaw-droppingly awesome, the chase scenes edge-of-your-seat exhilarating. The cinematography is also superb; the aerial shots of country NSW are truly breathtaking. “Having that Australian outback really brought it forward as an Australian story,” says Pang. Throw in tracks by the cream of our crop; Powderfinger, The Cruel Sea, Missy Higgins and The Temper Trap and you’ve got yourself a cracker of an Aussie action flick.
Apart from one bemusing scene, the film is as faithful to the book as much as a 100 minute film could be. “Stuart knew this when he was writing it. We have to make it great, just to be fair to the readers,” muses Pang. “There is a responsibility to be faithful to the book, and do justice to it so the film’s equally as great. And judging by the response from fans of the book, that’s really worked.” And will the rest of the six in the series get the same treatment? “At the moment, there’s nothing official. If everyone loves the film, if everyone raves about it, and there’s a lot of support behind it, then hopefully we’ll get some more happening.”
Upon their return to Hell, Ellie asks Corrie if the book she’s reading, Miles Franklin’s My Brilliant Career, is any good. “I’ve seen the film,” offers Ellie. “It’s not as good as the book,” replies Corrie. “No,” quips Ellie, “they never are.” This wry self-reflexivity reveals Beattie knew the film could never match the book, but I sure am glad he tried.
Tomorrow, When the War Began opens in cinemas nationally on Thursday September 2.
