Original subtitles

Previously on My Brother Jack...

Vimy Ridge. In France, at Vimy Ridge.

I saw men drowning in mud...

..and they were glad of it.

Minnie!

Where are you?!

Get back here now!

(GRUNTS)

Alright, Pop, that was your last hurrah.

Alright, Pop, Show us what you're made of.

Show us what you're made of.

(GRUNTS) Show us what you're made of.

(GRUNTS) Oh!

Yeah, I know. I want to be a writer.

In fact, one day, I mean to write a novel.

In fact, one day, Will you put me in it?

Will you put me in it?

You write well, young man. Will you put me in it?

You write well, young man. You write very well.

You get that blasted contraption out of this house, boy.

Darling heart, did we order a drowned rat?

I've walked out of home.

Well, you'd better be ready to betray

Well, you'd better be ready everything you're comfortable with.

everything you're comfortable with.

Everything you believe in.

What I really want to know is,

what in God's name's wrong with you?

Can't you bear to see anybody else have even a moment's happiness?

This is Mr David Meredith.

He'll be joining your ranks as of this morning.

Don't try to be funny. I only see jokes by appointment.

Well, you tell them bunch of chinless wonders

that you're tougher, smarter, quicker than any of them.

that you're tougher, smarter, Yeah, I know, Jack.

Yeah, I know, Jack.

Well, that's good. I'm glad to hear it.

I won't have to beat the living daylights out of you, then.

(DRUMMER PLAYS)

(BAGPIPES PLAY)

Let's get some faces.

There's Grandpa.

Anzac Day.

My first front-page story.

To this day, I can smell eucalyptus and tea urns

and beer and tobacco smoke at battalion reunions.

I can hear thousands of voices singing Kipling's Recessional

and see the schoolchildren with their little square flags,

chanting.

"On the 25th of April, far across the sea,

"our brave Australian soldiers stormed Gallipoli."

This one here.

Closer.

It was always, for me, a day of mixed feelings, Closer.

It was always, for me, a day of mixed feelings,

but whatever I felt had to be buried

in the required chauvinisms of the story.

Good work. of the story.

Good work.

The Morning Post was no place for ambiguities.

The Morning Post was no place for ambiguities. It required one thing only -

It required one thing only -

a hymn to undiluted national pride.

You might like to see this, Mr Meredith.

I've got a by-line!

"We fight because it is a rite of passage,

"as necessary as the first knuckle in the playground,

"the passage into manhood."

By-lines are earnt, Mr Meredith.

Sadly, not often enough.

"As the service finished,

"a white pigeon fluttered past the shrine, across the dark sky,

"a white pigeon fluttered past "and into the coming dawn."

"and into the coming dawn."

Inspired touch.

Alright, so it was grey.

But there was a pigeon. Of course there was a pigeon.

The city's full of the bloody things.

You do realise, old cock, that, uh, traditionally

the Anzac March is covered by yours truly?

Well, I didn't ask for it. And everyone hates you anyway, huh?

Don't listen to the tosspots in the reporters' room.

They're the sort of people who think that syntax is a Roman ruin.

Your trouble is, you take too much notice.

My trouble is, I'm the second son of a tram driver.

My trouble is, I'm the second son Always have been, always will be.

Always have been, always will be.

And they can't stand it.

So there I was -

David Meredith, newspaper reporter.

I was somebody.

And it was then that I rediscovered

a girl I'd met fleetingly, years before.

Someone I remembered far better than I ever let on.

Can I help you?

I don't believe it. David Meredith.

Oh, it's...it's Helen. Helen Midgeley.

Oh, it's...it's Helen. Remember?

Remember?

Oh, yes! Yes. Of course.

How are you? Good.

This is uncanny. I saw your name in the paper just the other day.

You did what you said - you became a writer.

You did what you said - And you were gonna be a...designer.

And you were gonna be a...designer.

Well, there's a little thing called a depression.

Didn't you notice?

Look, I'm just about to close up.

Why don't you stay for a beer?

Or a cup of tea.

Thanks.

You know, I'd kill for your job -

to be able to do something about things.

Writing isn't exactly doing something.

Yes, but the whole world is in trouble and nobody cares.

Just look at what's happening in Europe - Hitler and Mussolini.

Makes me sick, it really does.

Mm.

Have you read Marx?

Oh, you know, I've dipped in and out.

Oh, you know, I've dipped You should, you know.

You should, you know.

It's important for your work.

Here.

Can I ask you something?

Mm.

What perfume are you wearing?

It's Lentheric.

Does that mean you like it?

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

John Reed - Ten Days That Shook The World.

John Reed - Oh!

Oh!

Must be a weighty subject. (LAUGHS)

So, will...

..will you be alright to get home?

Aren't you well brought up?

Well, goodnight, then.

Thanks for the tea.

'Night.

The new, bright, shiny David Meredith

knew far less about the world The new, bright, shiny David Meredith

knew far less about the world than he pretended.

In truth, I was only just keeping my head above

the terrible din and dissonance of the times.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Often, in those months, (INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Often, in those months, I would be sent to Port Melbourne

to interview the arrivals from Europe.

to interview the arrivals MAN: Seems to be the correct amount.

MAN: Seems to be the correct amount.

Those freezing mornings taught me something.

MAN: ..ladies, thank you.

It was one thing to read about suffering.

It was one thing Next!

Next!

It was quite another to see it at first hand.

Excuse me. I'm a reporter from the Morning Post.

May I speak with you? Oh... No.

You won't get into trouble. I promise. I promise.

Hello. My name's David.

I had a teddy like that.

Have you got a name I had a teddy like that.

Have you got a name for this little fella?

Have you got a name (SHOUTS IN YIDDISH)

(SHOUTS IN YIDDISH)

What? Oh, I'm sorry.

She has these cigarette burns all over her body.

She has these cigarette burns from the Brownshirts.

from the Brownshirts.

I'm sorry.

MAN: Over here. Hold them! Hold them!

No! No! No! No! (WOMAN CRIES OUT)

No! No! (CRIES OUT)

No!

What's going on?

WOMAN: They will be put back on the ship.

Your country doesn't want the Jews.

Just their money.

Will you put THAT in your newspaper?

Lunching, dear boy? No. Thank you.

Lunching, dear boy? Copy boy!

Copy boy!

You were sent to Port Melbourne to write a news story.

How long is a news story? 300 words.

What is its form, style and tone?

Objective, restrained, informative and within the house style.

Have you heard how many Jews are allowed on each boat?

They're being tortured and put to death,

we're only prepared to take six at a time.

This is a man parading his conscience in the hope of applause.

This is a man parading his This is an editorial.

This is an editorial.

When you are the editor of this newspaper,

I will await your pronouncements with breathless awe.

Until then, I'm not interested in the opinions of David Meredith.

Now, get out of here and bring me a news story.

300 words.

(THUNDER RUMBLES IN DISTANCE)

(EXHALES)

Goodness, you'll drink me dry. That's your third.

Dutch courage.

What for?

# That old feeling... #

I've been reading a bit of Lenin.

Oh? Which one?

State And Revolution or What Is To Be Done?

Uh, the first one.

It's...it's riveting.

Two weeks of scrupulous politeness and meaningful glances

and I still hadn't moved past the Russian Revolution.

# That old yearning

# And I knew the spark of love... #

I...

..should go.

My reaction was ludicrous.

I was overcome by embarrassment and fright.

So where was he then, the new David Meredith,

so cool, so cocksure,

when I needed him?

(LAUGHS)

Jeez, Mum! That'd fit me! (LAUGHS)

Jeez, Mum! That'd fit me! (LAUGHS)

Jeez, Mum! That'd fit me! That you, Davy?

That you, Davy?

Had a bath, Nipper?

Mum thinks Sheila's having Bigfoot.

You can knit the christening robe yourself

if you think that you can do it better.

Go on, congratulate Davy on his big story.

Oh, I went clean out of me head,

then blow me down if Sheila doesn't come home

with a bit of flathead wrapped in it!

(TUTS) Oh! A bit on the bugle by then, son.

Don't listen to him, Davy. We bought three copies.

Yeah, you and your big fancy words - had your poor mother

sitting with a damn dictionary on her knee all night.

sitting with a damn dictionary There's no pleasing some people.

There's no pleasing some people.

You ought to be grateful. He made There's no pleasing some people.

You ought to be grateful. He made you diggers look like Hercules.

That'd be right. He's just showing off, that's what he's doing.

Jack says he hasn't seen much of you lately.

Yeah, well, you know. Work.

Davy Meredith,

you look me in the eye and you tell me you haven't met someone.

you look me in the eye and you (SNORTS) I haven't met someone.

(SNORTS) I haven't met someone.

Are you sure? (SNORTS) I haven't met someone.

Are you sure? I haven't met someone.

Are you sure? Really?

Really?

Really? I haven't.

Come on. Come on, Davy, you can tell me.

No-one who...

..who's ever gonna speak to me again, anyway.

..who's ever gonna Mother of God.

Mother of God.

You're starting to whinge just like your old man.

Who's giving you curry, Nipper?

If it's your boss, take him on.

You're as good as any of 'em.

Don't, Jack. You wouldn't understand. You're as good as any of 'em.

Don't, Jack. You wouldn't understand. Oh, wouldn't I?

Well, I'll tell you one thing for free.

If you keep lying down, they'll keep firing at you!

Show a bit of the Meredith gumption, man!

I said don't! (CHUCKLES)

I said don't! Yeah, that's more like it.

Yeah, that's more like it.

Now, if it's a sheila giving you the runaround,

I've got one bit of advice for you. Yeah, I know, I know.

Walk, don't run. (LAUGHS)

Walk, don't run. Is that what he told you?

Is that what he told you?

How about trying out some of your own advice, eh, big fella?

How about trying out some of Huh?

Huh?

It'll come, Davy.

Just keep your chin shaved and your daks washed, and it'll come.

Oh, and ignore Dad about the big words -

they're a hell of a leg-opener.

(GIGGLES)

MAN: That's enough reading for a fortnight.

MAN: That's enough reading Well, goodnight, Mr Cunningham.

Well, goodnight, Mr Cunningham.

Give my best to Marcy.

Would you like to come in?

Some music might help.

(RADIO STATIC SWIRLS)

(JAZZ SONG ENDS)

(SLOW JAZZ PLAYS)

Don't worry. I'm just as nervous as you are.

Walk, don't run. What?

Walk, don't run. I said walk, don't run.

I said walk, don't run.

That's what they used to say on the Somme.

Slow down, slow down.

Remember the Somme.

Yeah, but look what happened to them.

My mother died when I was nine.

Tuberculosis.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Was she like you? (CHUCKLES) Oh, God, no.

She was round, and spongy, and motherly...

..and I could never get my arms all the way around her waist.

And she made scones for my father practically every day of her life.

I'm nothing like her.

Why me?

You could have anyone.

So why me?

Just come back tomorrow night.

BREWSTER: "As Hitler talks brave words to cheering crowds

BREWSTER: "As Hitler talks "about what he calls 'Lebensraum',

"about what he calls 'Lebensraum',

"the stain spreads like bacilli under a microscope.

"Today, I met a seven-year-old girl

"who had been used as an ashtray by a mob of Nazi Brownshirts.

"who had been used as an ashtray "When her father found her,

"When her father found her,

"she was dressed only in a cotton singlet

"and her body was studded with burns..."

I had, of course, written Mr Condon's 300 words,

but what I didn't tell him was that the complete version of the story

had managed to find its way to the editor, Mr Brewster.

had managed to find its way "Her crime? She is Jewish."

"Her crime? She is Jewish."

That, gentlemen, is the sort of journalism I want in my newspaper.

Words that move people.

Writing that makes us taste and smell and feel

Writing that makes us as if we were there, gentlemen.

as if we were there, gentlemen.

Writing that shakes us to our foundation.

And so began the rise and rise of the second son of the tram driver.

Congratulations, Mr Meredith.

My dislike of you has never been personal.

It is merely my view that you do not have what it takes.

You think that splashing pretty prose about

can substitute for years of grinding slog,

that a few well-placed adjectives can make up for the education

you clearly both lack and disdain.

No, it's not personal.

It's just that you represent a decline in standards

and that your very presence on this newspaper

brings disrepute upon an institution that I love.

The pleasure's been all mine, sir.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Well, well, well.

Bad timing, old cock - the red carpet's at the cleaners.

You know, on balance...

..I think it was the "stain over Europe"

that clinched it.

Bloody fine piece.

You know, it says something about your character.

You know, it says something Like all the greats...

Like all the greats...

..you're prepared to ride to success on the backs of the suffering.

..you're prepared to ride to success Critical ingredient.

Critical ingredient.

I shall observe your progress with great interest.

(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS)

Six months of almost nightly visits

and the Russian Revolution was a distant memory.

Hello there, young man. Have we met?

Allow me to introduce myself. Hm.

My name's David Meredith

and I'm a special writer at the Morning Post.

and I'm a special writer (LAUGHS) David!

(LAUGHS) David!

You've turned the couch around. Uh-huh.

But...but anyone can look in here!

So? Let's put a thrill But...but anyone can look in here!

So? Let's put a thrill into their dull little lives.

Helen, I'm...I'm not having our...our activities...

Helen, I'm...I'm not having (CAR PASSES)

(CAR PASSES)

..perved on by every peeping Tom (CAR PASSES)

..perved on by every peeping Tom in the district.

..perved on by every peeping Tom (CHUCKLES) Stick in the mud.

(CHUCKLES) Stick in the mud.

You sound like your father, I'll bet.

You sound like your father, No, if...if I was my father,

No, if...if I was my father,

I'd be chasing you around No, if...if I was my father,

I'd be chasing you around the backyard with a gun.

Well, they say all men grow up to be versions of their fathers.

Well, they say all men grow up Helen,

Helen,

I am nothing like my father.

Nothing.

I want what you want.

Do you, Davy?

Shouldn't I meet your father? Oh, no, not today. He's busy.

I bought your mother a brooch.

I hope she wears brooches.

Listen, Helen, um...

I should warn you, Jack's a bit of a rough diamond,

and, uh, well, Dad's a pig-headed old so-and-so.

Mother doesn't take much interest in things outside the house...

Mother doesn't take much interest Davy.

Davy.

I'll love them.

I'm there with you. I'll love them.

I'm there with you. That's all that matters.

(MASHES KEYS)

I saw them all more clearly that afternoon than I had for years.

I suppose I was instinctively scrutinising them

for the faults and merits that Helen might find.

Oh! Mum, safe at last from the storm.

Happy birthday. Thank you, Helen.

Pouring her scorned love into the next generation.

And Dad like an old circus lion -

grown mangy and smelly, And Dad like an old circus lion -

grown mangy and smelly, with no appetite for his bones.

grown mangy and smelly, (BOY CONTINUES MASHING PIANO KEYS)

(BOY CONTINUES MASHING PIANO KEYS)

I like it very much, Helen.

I hoped you'd like it.

I feel like I'm fresh from...

What's that street?

The Champs-Elysees.

# Mademoiselle from Armentieres

(JOINS IN) # Parlez-vous?

# Mademoiselle from Armentieres

We'll go soon. # Parlez-vous? #

We'll go soon. What do you think, Dad?

What do you think, Dad?

A bit of shush'd be nice, What do you think, Dad?

A bit of shush'd be nice, that's what I think.

A bit of shush'd be nice, Hey. Hey there, Grandma's piano.

Hey. Hey there, Grandma's piano.

Boys! Come on, out.

Go on, out. You too.

Come on, out of there.

Aagh! Go on.

Get out and stay out! Aw! It's not fair!

Get out and stay out! Have a sausage roll, Miss Midgeley.

Have a sausage roll, Miss Midgeley.

No. Thank you.

Honestly, I had a huge lunch. I wasn't expecting such a feast.

Honestly, I had a huge lunch. So, Jack,

So, Jack,

Sheila tells me you've taken So, Jack,

Sheila tells me you've taken an interest in the war in Spain.

Only 'cause of all them nitwits running off over there.

Why do they want to go and fight a bunch of Spaniards for?

Eh?

Perhaps they don't see it that way.

Oh, well, you tell me, Miss Midgeley -

Oh, well, you tell me, what other way is there to see it?

what other way is there to see it?

Go on, just one.

Jesus, Bert, give the lady a break.

You've fed her enough sausage rolls to feed the Third blinkin' Army!

Why do we have to go over to Spain and fight a war for, eh?

We've got a whole bloomin' raft of things here to worry about.

Have you ever taken a walk along one of them southside quays?

You seen the way they treat them factory hands

down in them sweatshops in Footscray?

I think what's happening in Europe is appalling.

If we don't destroy fascism there, it could very well destroy us.

That's all very well... Oh, this is all way over my head!

We can hardly see our way clear here. Let's make some room.

Yeah. Good idea.

SHEILA: Oh, no, no, Min, you sit down.

We're supposed to be spoiling YOU today, remember?

You feel like watering the horses? Sure.

You serious about this sheila of yours?

You serious about Helen?

Helen?

Well, I'm probably gonna marry her, if that's what you mean.

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, Davy,

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but she's about the first girl

but she's about the first girl

you've had anything but she's about the first girl

you've had anything to do with, isn't she?

What's that got to do with you?

Nothing to do with me. It's to do with you.

(GLASS SMASHES) JEAN: Oh, look what you done now!

I'd hate to see you make a mistake, that's all.

(INDISTINCT YELLING) (BOY CRIES)

I don't know about you, Jack, but I'm going back inside.

DAD: Oh, God spare me! Get that mongrel of a boy out of there!

I don't think Helen will be killed and eaten before tea.

I don't think Helen will be killed Go on, get! Get outside!

Go on, get! Get outside!

Please, I don't want you to be fussing about it.

Oh, I just want to get this little bit.

Oh, I just want to get It will be fine, really.

It will be fine, really.

Such a pretty dress. (BOY CRIES IN BACKGROUND)

Such a pretty dress. What's happened?

What's happened?

Oh, clumsy brat of ours spilt sweets What's happened?

Oh, clumsy brat of ours spilt sweets all over Miss Midgeley's best suit.

A thorough sponging before it dries, that's all it needs.

Please, Mrs Meredith, I can clean it when I get home.

Please, Mrs Meredith, It won't even leave a mark.

It won't even leave a mark.

David, tell her not to worry. It won't even leave a mark.

David, tell her not to worry. Will you shut up in there?!

Jeanie, can you shut your child up, please?

Why the devil do we have to have the wretched kids

Why the devil do we have to under our feet all day anyway?

under our feet all day anyway?

It's like...like living in under our feet all day anyway?

It's like...like living in a blasted sandpit.

JACK: Hey, what's a bit of jelly and custard between friends?

JACK: Hey, what's a bit of A mere trifle.

A mere trifle.

Do we have to have the children swarming all over the place?

Uh, don't you remember, Davy?

It's Mum's birthday. They're her grandchildren.

She likes having him around. Don't you, Mum?

Can't someone keep an eye on them?

Please, David, it's not worth it.

It's not?

Or we're not?

Maybe Miss Midgeley would be interested to hear

that when you were the same age as this young fella

that when you were the same age we had a party in this very room,

we had a party in this very room,

and you spluttered and you puked

all the way up the corridor to the front door.

Helen's not interested in your revolting stories, Jack,

Helen's not interested in your and neither am I.

and neither am I.

You seem to have and neither am I.

You seem to have got it into your head

that you're pretty superior sort of a person lately, Davy.

I don't know, maybe you are.

But you're still part of this family,

these kids are a part of this family,

these kids are a part whether you like it like it or not.

whether you like it like it or not.

Oh, for heaven's sake, will you stop fighting?!

Oh, for heaven's sake, This is my birthday.

This is my birthday.

Who's fighting?

It's a happy family gathering, isn't it?

Isn't it, Davy?

Ah...

As soon as you're ready, Sheil,

just get your things, clean up the kids.

Argh! To hell with them all!

And so we got married.

The family somewhat nervously And so we got married.

The family somewhat nervously acquiesced.

Only Jack, his spirit as just and generous as ever...

(JACK TAPS GLASS) ..hid his misgivings.

(JACK TAPS GLASS) I'd like to propose a toast.

I'd like to propose a toast.

On behalf of the Meredith clan,

I want to congratulate the family dark horse

for scoring himself the prettiest missus there is...

GUESTS: Hear, hear. Except mine, of course.

(LAUGHTER)

..and to welcome Helen.

She's done a bang-up job of organising this auspicious event.

And it's good to have you, girl. GUESTS: Hear, hear.

To Helen and Davy.

Good luck to all who sail on them.

ALL: Helen and David.

Helen had rescued me from Avalon.

We had rescued each other from homes and families and lives

We had rescued each other stunted by the sorrows of the past.

stunted by the sorrows of the past.

(MAN SPEAKS GREEK)

We stood together, reinvented,

intoxicated on the thrilling brink of life.

Those first months, I remember, were blissful.

And so continued the rise and rise of the second son

into a new, modern, sophisticated world

in which he knew he would cut an ever more important figure.

Hey-hey-hey!

Look what Davo's got for Christmas!

See you tonight!

I don't believe it. Ginger Rogers!

What have you done with my wife? I haven't stopped all day.

What have you done with my wife? Mm!

Mm!

Close your eyes.

You mean I'm finally gonna see my own study?

Are you sure, now? I wouldn't want you to rush things.

Oh, it's taken me ages to get it exactly right.

Oh, it's taken me ages But now... Drum roll.

But now... Drum roll.

Drum roll.

Happy birthday.

In memory of Stunsail.

And my pride and joy,

what every self-respecting senior journalist should have -

a bookshelf full of classics.

Not quite first editions, but no-one will know.

Tolstoy.

(CHUCKLES)

Ibsen, no less.

Well, this is one very serious senior journalist.

It's windscreens and hubcaps... Oh, Wally, not the car story.

..that give the final touches to a polishing job.

No, if they're not sparkling... Oh, God.

..the whole vehicle looks like nothing on Earth.

..the whole vehicle Hors d'oeuvre, anyone?

Hors d'oeuvre, anyone?

You'll find that with your MG, David.

You will take me for a spin sometime?

Only if you're very good, Sandra. Oh, never.

She never says that about the Dodge, do you, darl?

No. You have to admit it, Wally -

you've been outclassed this time, old son.

you've been outclassed Oh, I do, mate. I do.

Oh, I do, mate. I do.

Now, that polishing problem.

I can't think of the name of it, but, um...

(LIVELY JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS)

No, darling. No. Come along.

Oh, Gavin. Can I tempt you?

Oh.

It's hard to choose, isn't it?

Thank you very much.

I must say, you've done fabulously well, haven't you, Golden Boy?

I must say, you've done fabulously This house. This wonderful spread.

This house. This wonderful spread.

Our gorgeous hostess.

These...these...

..prismatic pickled onions.

Why did it never occur to us to dye our pickled onions?

Why did it never occur to us Don't take any notice of him, Helen.

Don't take any notice of him, Helen.

I wish I could put on something half as swish.

Maude Kirkwood over there thinks that you're gonna be the next Chanel.

Oh! Approbation from the social ledgers.

Oh, what did she say? Let me think.

Uh, imagination, originality and excellent taste.

You're fibbing. Cross my heart.

You're fibbing. Aw, Golden Boy and his princess.

Aw, Golden Boy and his princess.

Why do you call him Golden Boy?

Because he is the anointed one.

Mr Bernard Brewster, who is, after all,

the editor-in-chief of the Morning Post,

has chosen him.

He sees our Davy as...

..Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Pip.

We at the Post can trace the tiny trail of gold dust

We at the Post can trace he leaves behind him,

he leaves behind him,

sniff the smell of success... (LAUGHS)

..sense the indefinable aura of the coming man.

(GLENN MILLER'S 'IN THE MOOD' PLAYS)

I believe you owe me a dance, Peggy,

since it seems your husband I believe you owe me a dance, Peggy,

since it seems your husband has abandoned you.

Well, he was last seen in vigorous debate with Helen

Well, he was last seen about Czechoslovakia.

about Czechoslovakia.

I'd rescue her if I were you, Davy.

I doubt he's drawn breath I'd rescue her if I were you, Davy.

I doubt he's drawn breath for an hour.

We may respect him, admire him,

even be intrigued by a certain fallibility in him, but...

..envy?

Nuh.

I'll tell you one thing you should know, and never forget.

There is no guarantee in him.

There's no guarantee in him.

(MEN CHATTER INDISTINCTLY)

'Scuse me - just gotta get the Davy Meredith VIP Chair in place.

Rest your load down there.

Sorry we didn't make it to your do.

Kathleen had gastro.

Could just see her spewin' from A to B

Could just see her spewin' all over Helen's good things.

all over Helen's good things.

How's Sheila?

She said to tell you to drop around.

And, uh, yeah, bring Helen, too.

You could've called, Jack, told us you weren't coming.

She'd catered. Yeah.

No, fair call.

Tell you the truth, all them nobs you work with,

I didn't think we'd really be missed.

Were we?

Yeah.

You were.

Yeah, nice try, Nipper.

Oh, look, mate, this is where we belong.

Oh, look, mate, You and me.

You and me.

And this is where you'll find me, just the way I am now.

You get the idea.

These primulas are gorgeous!

I love the way you've arranged These primulas are gorgeous!

I love the way you've arranged all the colours.

I love the way you've arranged Oh, good! There's David.

Oh, good! There's David.

I wish my garden could look like this.

Davo! Wally.

Davo! Oh, David.

Oh, David.

Wally's brought around some of that new Pimm's drink for us to try.

Ah.

Well, not for me, thanks.

I'm gonna be up all night researching a background on Rudolf Hess.

I'm gonna be up all night researching Oh. Who's he when he's at home?

Oh. Who's he when he's at home?

He's a rather prominent Nazi.

We should get some of them to join the syndicate for the Caulfield Cup.

If they can make the trains run on time,

imagine what they can do with the gee-gees!

Oh, my God, have they heard of secateurs?

What they need is a gardener.

It's quite elegant, though.

I'm afraid it's just the four of us.

To tell you the truth, neither Peggy nor I

care very much for big dinner parties.

Or big parties of any sort, for that matter.

But four's always fun, I think.

(ALL LAUGH)

Well, think of it.

There's 5,000 books our great government has on its banned list.

You think I can get on it? Not for love or money.

Well, you have to write a book first. I have.

Well, you have to write a book first. Oh, you have not.

Oh, you have not.

What he wrote is a pamphlet. Damn you, woman. It's a book!

D.H. Lawrence In Australia: A Critical Study.

D.H. Lawrence In Australia: You know, at one time or another,

You know, at one time or another,

they banned Joyce, Orwell, Hemingway, Huxley...

Balzac, Colette, Daniel Defoe, even poor blasted Norman Lindsay!

It's a veritable who's who, I tell you.

And I will not rest until I see

the name of Gavin Turley on that esteemed list.

Well, mine and Virginia Woolf's.

Why Virginia Woolf?

For being boring, of course! (LAUGHS)

For being boring, of course! Oh...

Oh...

This is a book - Oh...

This is a book - it's thick, it's heavy.

This is a book - See?

See?

Now yours. Well, it's skinny, light.

Pamphlet.

Book. Pamphlet.

This woman is a constant torment to me.

This woman is a constant Our marriage is a complete sham.

Our marriage is a complete sham.

Well, I'd love to have a copy. Our marriage is a complete sham.

Well, I'd love to have a copy. Oh, take the whole lot.

Give them to your local priest, or pastor,

Give them to your local anyone who'll take up a petition

anyone who'll take up a petition

saying this kind of filth should be banned!

ALL: Banned! Banned! Banned! Banned! Banned! Banned! Banned!

There's been something I've been meaning to ask you.

Hm?

You said something to Helen Hm?

You said something to Helen about me.

You said something to Helen Yes.

Yes.

Something about me having no guarantee, or words to that effect.

That was for Helen's ears, old son, not yours.

Well, she didn't understand.

And neither did I.

But I suspect it means that you think I'm a lousy writer.

But I suspect it means But ARE you a writer?

But ARE you a writer?

When was the last time you wrote anything

other than the usual codswallop for the Post?

Alright, GB.

In one journalistically precise sentence...

In one journalistically (CLEARS THROAT)

(CLEARS THROAT)

..I am safe...

..and you are not.

I'll always play it for security,

for the cosy niche of the Post.

Not the stuff of a great epitaph, but there it is.

What you have is...facility...

..adroitness,

a quite fantastic celerity ..adroitness,

a quite fantastic celerity in getting your stuff written.

You also have, I suspect, a tendency towards the unscrupulous.

You're like one of those pond skimmers

darting about over the surface of the water,

but you never get down into it,

you never reach below the surface.

And I think, to be honest, that, unless you start

on the business of becoming a REAL writer...

..you could be too late.

Because in the end, that's what it's all about.

The real.

The authentic.

I have a guarantee.

You've left yours behind in a back street of Elsternwick.

You can't go back. You've gotta go forward.

Bashing and cheating and striving toward some ideal...

..that up to now...

..you haven't even glimpsed.

And you carry no guarantee.

And for Helen...

..that means something even crueller.

The notion that a pond skimmer could ever stay put.

To love you is dangerous.

You are not safe.

What was it about that night at the Turleys'

What was it about that night that changed everything?

that changed everything?

It was cluttered and chaotic and alive.

Authentic - that was Gavin's word.

But that can't have been it.

Can't have been ENTIRELY it.

Cup of tea before bed?

Mm.

Helen.

Mm?

When we make love...

..do you ever really...

..lose control?

What did you two boys talk about?

Nothing.

No reason.

'Night.

An ordinary Sunday morning, just like any other.

I saw, with the power of a revelation,

that there had been more things of true value

in that shabby house called Avalon from which I had fled

than there ever could be

in this facsimile of real life called Beverley Grove.

And yet,

I had chosen it of my own free will.

I had mortgaged my life

for the privilege of living opposite the Philands and the Treadwells

and directly alongside Wally and Sandra Solomons.

What's this? I've bought us a tree.

A gum tree? A sugar gum.

One square foot of Beverley Grove is gonna look exactly like it used to.

Well, personally, I think it's rather ordinary.

It's so drab.

Wouldn't a mock orange or one of those dwarf maples fit in better?

Wouldn't a mock orange or one (SCOFFS) Not on your sweet life.

(SCOFFS) Not on your sweet life.

No dwarf bloody anythings.

This is gonna grow No dwarf bloody anythings.

This is gonna grow to be 100 foot tall.

This is gonna be a landmark.

"The glory that was."

I looked around my study,

decorated, like everything else, by Helen,

decorated, like everything else, and I realised that I hated it all.

and I realised that I hated it all.

Davy!

What are you doing?

I'm just doing a bit of rearranging.

You're beginning to scare me.

What on earth's the matter?

(PHONE RINGS)

Hello?

Ah, Sandra.

No, no, no, of course I hadn't forgotten.

Yes, it's just crumbed cutlets today.

Alright.

We promised Wally and Sandra we'd go over for a Pimm's before lunch.

We don't have to if you don't want to.

No, how could I forget?

Outsiders saw no ruffling of Helen's composure.

Only I saw the changes.

The subdued fears,

the anxieties,

the uncertainties.

And yet I would not and could not confront her.

I made her suffer for my own cowardice.

David, what's the matter?

Please, talk to me.

Nothing's the matter.

(WHISTLES MELODY)

It was from the sugar gum that I derived a kind of spiteful comfort.

I came to realise that I was using it as a weapon.

(CONTINUES WHISTLING)

Copy!

You're a machine.

I'll pick up the confiscation of Jewish property, if you like.

It's kind of my speciality. (SNORTS)

Heaven forbid that I should obstruct your career path, old cock.

Perhaps you could leave a trail of breadcrumbs for me.

(HELEN WEEPS SOFTLY)

(SOBS)

The realisation that I did not love Helen

came to me quite dispassionately at first.

So dispassionately that I was able to examine the revelation

So dispassionately that I was able with a kind of clear, careful logic.

with a kind of clear, careful logic.

And I found it sound.

And I put it aside for later.

Later, of course, would be another thing altogether,

when I would blame her for the predicament we were in,

and then passion and anger would need to be invoked.

But not yet.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Sorry, Peg-Leg. There goes the anniversary dinner.

Bluey!

To Mr Condon.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Mr Condon, sir!

Oh, just a minute.

Gentlemen!

Postpone your lives.

We're reporting a war.

What time?

Yeah, I got that. Say that again?

Yep.

Uh, mate, do you know where I can find Davy Meredith?

Jack! Nipper!

What are you doing here? What do you reckon?

You gonna be in it? When can we sign up?

Look, nothing's clear at the moment, Jack.

Look, nothing's clear It hasn't even been announced...

It hasn't even been announced...

You're gonna find out It hasn't even been announced...

You're gonna find out before anybody about enlisting,

and we gotta be there early, the both of us.

and we gotta be there early, We join up together.

We join up together.

Yeah, look, mate, I'm right in the middle of a phone call at the moment.

We're up to our necks in a special edition.

You just let me hear the second you hear anything.

We don't want to miss out on this one.

No, no, no, I'll call you. I'll call you.

Get on ya, Nipper.

Wait till bloody Hitler hears the Meredith boys are on the way!

You still there?

Well...

..it's on, old cock. It's on.

Brewster's assigned Gavin and me to work exclusively on the war.

Brewster's assigned Gavin and me Is that good?

Is that good?

Well, it means I probably won't be home much from now on.

Well, I suppose that will suit you.

Yeah, you've come a long way.

OK, once you're finished here you go inside to see the doctor...

(MAN WOLF-WHISTLES) ..then you're finished.

(MAN WOLF-WHISTLES) Alright?

Alright?

Off you go.

Next. JACK: Well, that's it, mate.

You don't wanna be wasting your time here for nothing.

If I was you, I'd just get home and grab 'em, quick!

If I was you, I'd just get home 15th of August.

15th of August.

Sorry, mate, I'm just checking -

you do need your Sorry, mate, I'm just checking -

you do need your birth certificate, don't you,

you do need your for the paperwork and that?

for the paperwork and that?

MAN: Right, sir. Thank you, sir.

Damn and blast!

DAVID: You see, Damn and blast!

DAVID: You see, my brother just joined up.

DAVID: You see, It's a sort of family thing.

It's a sort of family thing.

We were all in the last show, my boy.

We were all But it's a question of priorities.

But it's a question of priorities.

I just feel I should do it But it's a question of priorities.

I just feel I should do it properly, sir, in uniform.

I just feel I should do it David, wait a minute.

David, wait a minute.

You are in a War Cabinet classified reserved occupation.

If you enlist, I'll simply apply for your withdrawal.

Propaganda is one of the most powerful weapons of war, you know.

I wondered then if Mr Brewster knew

he had saved me from the thing I most feared -

the march into hell

that began on the same bush roads that my father walked,

and Bert, and all the brave and broken heroes of my childhood.

SOLDIERS: # Then no more will I roam when I'm heading back for home

# Along the road to Gundagai... #

My brother Jack was different.

The myth of the noble Anzac was lodged and burning deep inside him.

He carried the mantle with pride.

You remember all that tripe I went on with as a kid?

"You gotta have a go, even if you're just pissing in the wind"?

Trouble was, I never knew exactly what it was

Trouble was, I never knew I was supposed to have a go at.

I was supposed to have a go at.

Didn't stop you knocking my block off.

It's this. MAN: How you going, fellas?

This is what we've been dragged up for.

This is what we've been All these blokes,

All these blokes,

the Depression hit 'em,

never even had a job in their lives.

Now they've got a reason.

You reckon that's what Hitler had in mind, do you?

You reckon that's what Hitler Nah, don't smart-alec me, Nipper.

Nah, don't smart-alec me, Nipper.

This thing, Hitler and that, it's not a curse -

it's an opportunity a mug like me couldn't make

it's an opportunity in his whole miserable life.

in his whole miserable life.

This?

It's a test, pure and simple.

Knowing any moment you could be screaming for your mum.

Knowing you could fail.

Jack, I've wanted to...

Well, I haven't seen much of you and Sheila the past couple of years.

Haven't been much of a brother.

Haven't been much of a husband either, if it comes to that.

Yeah?

What I'm trying to say is...

I've missed you, you miserable pongy bastard.

About bloody time.

Stand to! About bloody time.

Stand to! (SIREN WAILS)

Stand to! Stand to, all of you! Come on!

Stand to, all of you! Come on!

(SOLDIERS SHOUT)

(SHOUTS ORDERS)

You couldn't, uh, persuade (SHOUTS ORDERS)

You couldn't, uh, persuade that brother of yours

You couldn't, uh, persuade to try for a promotion?

to try for a promotion?

He's good NCO material.

He wouldn't have a bar of it when we suggested it.

Said he'd rather stay with the boys.

That's Jack.

Agh! Aagh!

Aagh!

Did you find out?

From the barracks?

Is it gonna be France, or what?

Well, there's nothing definite.

Yeah, pull the other one, Nipper.

There it is.

Give the bastard a tug and we'll fix the useless bloody thing.

Give the bastard a tug and we'll Oh, here's trouble.

Oh, here's trouble.

Hello! Hello, Sheil.

Come to gloat over my corpse, Hello! Hello, Sheil.

Come to gloat over my corpse, have you, old man?

Yeah, well, if a busted leg's the worst you got,

Yeah, well, if a busted leg's you wanna bless your luck.

you wanna bless your luck.

Yeah, well, we can't all crack it for mustard gas.

I wouldn't wish that on you, boy.

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

G'day, Mum.

Hello, Jack.

You come to be my own private nurse, have you?

Have one every day.

No - have two.

(CHUCKLES)

Hello, stranger.

You look well.

You too, Mum.

Yeah, look at the pair of you.

Pleased as punch I'm stuck in this joint

instead of getting a hide full of lead for my country.

instead of getting a hide Aren't you?

Aren't you?

(BABY FUSSES)

Wouldn't be able to get my leg over you now, Sheila.

Looks like you're safe for the duration.

(SHEILA LAUGHS)

All in favour, say 'aye'.

BOTH: Aye! Aww!

Good luck, Gavin. Stay safe.

Ah!

Put Mr Meredith down for ten bob.

He's a man of deep pockets.

Jesus, Gavin. Why?

I need a rest, old cock.

They've been working me far too hard here.

Whole war effort's on your slender shoulders now, GB.

It'll be a comfort to know you're here

to background my intrepid exploits.

to background Oh, come on, GB.

Oh, come on, GB.

One can't go on scribbling Oh, come on, GB.

One can't go on scribbling ad infinitum about the noble Anzac

One can't go on scribbling without having a crack at being one.

without having a crack at being one.

You of all people should know that.

You told me Gavin Turley and I were reserved occupations!

You told me Gavin Turley and I Turley felt compelled to enlist.

Turley felt compelled to enlist.

I suggested a commission, PR, even intelligence.

But no, he must go and join the ranks.

Then why the hell did you concoct this story...?

If you insist on putting me on the spot,

If you insist on putting me then, given the choice

then, given the choice

between sacrificing Gavin Turley then, given the choice

between sacrificing Gavin Turley and sacrificing David Meredith...

..I wouldn't hesitate.

To the overall war effort, you are by far the more valuable asset.

Is that what you wanted to hear?

But why?

Why am I?

Because, my boy, of your facility.

My position...is totally invidious.

David...

David... (SIGHS)

David, I have gone out on a limb for you

more times than you could possibly know.

Great patriots have worn mufti, you know.

Trust me now, my boy, and your loyalty will be repaid.

There are big things in the wind for you, David.

Very big things.

Now, that shouldn't be too much of a cross for you to bear, should it?

Mr Brewster's "big things in the wind"

took me from one end of the country to the other

to report on Australia's preparedness for total war.

The time away was a gift,

one more opportunity to avoid confronting

one more opportunity the sad stalemate of my marriage.

the sad stalemate of my marriage.

Oh, jeez! (SOLDIERS MUTTER APPROVINGLY)

Oh, jeez! (GUNFIRE)

(GUNFIRE)

(LIVELY SWING MUSIC PLAYS)

Davo!

How are you, mate?

Buggered, actually, Wally.

Ah! Beer'll fix that.

What's going on?

You should have let me know you were coming home.

You should have let me know Its Wally's embarkation party.

Its Wally's embarkation party.

SANDRA: Davy!

Hello!

Looks like you're gonna be the only one left soon.

We're just gonna have to share him, aren't we, Helly?

We're just gonna have to (CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

So, how's it working out for you here, Jack?

Uh, once a storeman, always a storeman -

Uh, once a storeman, that's what they reckon.

that's what they reckon.

But they didn't reckon on...

..this!

(CHUCKLES) Hey?

Ha!

I call it the Ha!

I call it the Jack Meredith FU Club.

The call's gonna come, Nipper, and when it does,

your average mallee bull's gonna have nothing on Jackie Meredith.

They've been talking about your stuff in the mess.

The way you've been promoting the war effort and that.

Reckon you're turning into a right bloody recruiting officer

there on the front page.

Well, I'm glad I'm being appreciated.

I had a thought.

Since you're always hobnobbing with I had a thought.

Since you're always hobnobbing with the brass down at the barracks...

..you might have some influence.

To get me away, I mean.

Well, it's not that simple, Jack.

I've never asked you for a favour before, have I?

The most I could do is try, but I can't promise anything.

Yeah, no, just...just do your best, Nipper. That's all I'm asking.

You haven't thought about throwing your own hat in?

I've been too busy to scratch myself.

Yeah, it's just, it kind of worries me,

Yeah, it's just, this, uh, propaganda you're writing.

this, uh, propaganda you're writing.

Bloke'd be a bit of a dingo if he got into that

and didn't join up himself.

Gotta be part of it, haven't you?

My brother Jack never doubted.

Never fell prey to the dark fears of childhood.

The deaths and maimings and ruined faces

that drove me more and more cold with dread.

I envied the profound certainty there was about him

when I was so terribly, shamefully uncertain.

To our new allies... Mm.

To our new allies... ..the Russians.

..the Russians.

And our future allies.

The Americans? And our future allies.

The Americans? Mm.

The Americans? We live in perpetual hope.

We live in perpetual hope.

(SLOW BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS)

I'm not much of a pants man, David, never have been,

but this war seems to have flushed out some gorgeous bloody women.

HELEN: No more martinis for me.

(LAUGHS)

You, um...you wanted to ask me a favour.

I'm sorry?

Ah! Yes. Um... (CLEARS THROAT)

Actually, it's ab... it's about my brother.

Yes, you might remember him. He was, um...

I'm sorry. Would you excuse me just for one moment?

Surely.

I'd love to. (CHUCKLES)

(SONG ENDS)

Davy. Helen.

(CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY) This is...this is my husband.

(PIANIST PLAYS 'LITTLE BROWN JUG')

He's a very important person. (CHUCKLES)

Come on. You're making a fool of yourself.

Oh, I love this song!

Davy, come and dance with me.

For God's sake, Helen! Davy, come and dance with me.

For God's sake, Helen! Ugh!

Everything alright, sir? She's alright.

Get up, would you? You're behaving like a child.

Leave me alone! I just want to dance! What's wrong with you?

Come on, we're leaving.

You think that's acceptable behaviour, do you?

I wasn't the one that created a scene.

I was simply enjoying myself.

Can't a girl enjoy herself now and then?

Can't a girl enjoy herself You seem to forget, Helen -

You seem to forget, Helen -

people know who I am.

They know who YOU are. people know who I am.

They know who YOU are. Oh, yes.

They know who YOU are. And we can't have people thinking

And we can't have people thinking

that David Meredith, writer extraordinaire,

that David Meredith, can't control his wife, can we?

can't control his wife, can we?

Look around.

The house, the furniture, your clothes -

The house, the furniture, my writing pays for all of it.

my writing pays for all of it.

And the least you could do is show some gratitude.

(SCOFFS)

Sometimes I don't know who you are anymore.

I hardly ever see you, and when I do, you're so cold.

When did you become so cold, David?

Go to bed, Helen. You're drunk.

Oh, fine. Fine. Just ignore me.

I'll just vacuum the castle and polish the silver

and water Golden Boy's little gum tree.

I finished the main piece, but I would like to do a follow-up.

Peggy, if there's anything at all I can do...

My friends.

There's something I must show you.

He wrote and said he wanted them.

God knows how he thought he'd be able to carry them.

Well, look what they are.

(CHUCKLES TEARFULLY) I thought he hated Virginia Woolf.

(CHUCKLES TEARFULLY) He does.

He does.

He did.

I gave them to him when we were courting.

I gave them to him Oh, where are my manners?

Oh, where are my manners?

Tea?

Oh, thank God you didn't go, Davy.

Thank God.

He adored you, you know?

(SNIFFLES)

Why them?

They loved each other.

Peggy Turley was killed three weeks later

Peggy Turley was killed when her car ran off Brighton Road.

when her car ran off Brighton Road.

She'd been drinking.

The following month, the paper carried the report

The following month, of Gavin's escape from Crete.

of Gavin's escape from Crete.

BREWSTER: Congratulations, my boy.

You are to be the Post's first war correspondent.

A week to tidy things up here, and then you fly to Port Moresby.

You'll be unarmed.

If you happen to fall into enemy hands,

under the Hague Convention, you have the status of a major.

So they can shoot me, but I can't shoot them.

So they can shoot me, (CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

Just remember that the only good war correspondent is a live one.

We want you back, you know.

Big plans. Remember?

There's not much we can do with you if you're dead, is there?

Hm.

There it is.

To Davy.

To Davy. To Davy.

To Davy.

Always said there has to be one in the family.

And by crikey, you're it.

Should've been the both of us,

but I won't get into that.

You'll keep your head down, won't you, Davy?

You'll keep your head down, Now, don't get all sooky, Mum.

Now, don't get all sooky, Mum.

She's proud as punch, really.

Aren't you?

And you, you old bastard. (GRUNTS)

He's been skitin' like mad to all his mates down at the Home Guard.

He's been skitin' like mad to all I'll watch the big words.

I'll watch the big words.

It's not me.

It's your mother.

She likes to keep up with things.

You're gonna be in it.

You're gonna be really in it.

Well, reporting on it. Not doing it.

Oh, for Christ's sake, Nipper, what's the bloody diff?

Oh, for Christ's sake, Nipper, Significant.

Significant.

I don't have a gun. Yeah, well, there's you and me both.

Well, don't let's start that now, Jackie.

I just spent the best part of three years

giving them out to mugs who couldn't shoot a wooden duck at Luna Park.

But they sent them away, didn't they?

But they sent them away, Three bloody years, Nipper,

Three bloody years, Nipper,

shelling out Owen guns, Sten guns, Brens and mortars.

I feel like a bloody counter-jumper at a haberdashery at Myer's!

Only favour I ever asked you.

Just to have a word with some nob.

You never bloody did it, did you?

Well, I, uh...

Only thing I ever asked you.

I did everything I could, but...

Davy, can't you see?

He would've died for you.

He has never had to be ashamed of anything in his life,

but he IS ashamed, Davy.

Jack, of all men, he's ashamed, and I can't bear it.

Jack, of all men, he's ashamed, (SOBS)

(SOBS)

Please, Davy, you must try for him.

You must try. Please.

Of all the betrayals I have ever committed,

Of all the betrayals it is this simple omission...

it is this simple omission...

..which, even now, from a distance of thousands of days and miles...

..still wakes me at night.

Right.

I've been through your brother's file.

I'm sorry - there's no chance.

In fact, strictly speaking,

he should be out of the army altogether.

he should be Was there ever any chance?

Was there ever any chance?

Well, maybe back in '40.

But then he would have been with the 8th in Malaya.

God knows what's happened to those poor beggars.

We've all heard about the atrocities being committed

We've all heard about on the Burma-Siam Railway.

on the Burma-Siam Railway.

You wouldn't want to wish that sort of fate on your brother, would you?

Hypothetically speaking...

..what would happen if I was to go over your head?

I've wrangled something.

It's not much, but...

..it's the best I could do.

Come on, then. What's the news?

Darwin.

Oh, they were pretty badly bombed up there.

Oh, they were pretty badly I mean, they were in it.

I mean, they were in it.

Well, I would have preferred New Guinea, of course.

Nah, balls to that, Nipper.

Nah.

Well, once I'm up there, I mean, that's half the battle, isn't it?

If I can't find some strings to pull once I'm that bloody close,

If I can't find some strings to pull my name's not Jack Meredith!

my name's not Jack Meredith!

Eh?

I'm grateful to you, Davy.

Thought you might like a demonstration -

Thought you might like angle for your story, so to speak.

angle for your story, so to speak.

It's, uh...it's only the women, unfortunately.

It's, uh...it's only the women, Only the women will be fine.

Only the women will be fine.

Not anticipating seeing any Only the women will be fine.

Not anticipating seeing any for quite a while. (CHUCKLES)

Hm.

Take posts! Number one, go on!

Take posts!

Come on, girls!

Flying left, high, moving left to right!

Dummy round - load!

On! On!

Hostile target - engage!

Auto fire!

Bullseye!

I take it you got him, Gunner Morley.

In flames, sir!

Yeah, very good. Stand easy.

Stand easy!

Very efficient, Gunner.

And does Gunner Morley have a first name?

Yes, sir. Cressida, sir.

Instrument specialist.

There's no need to call me 'sir'.

Technically speaking, I'm not your superior.

Well, don't tell anyone, but technically, this is not an air raid.

Well, don't tell anyone, but Stand easy!

Stand easy!

Accredited war correspondent?

Yes. I'm flying out Accredited war correspondent?

Yes. I'm flying out to New Guinea tonight.

Yes. I'm flying out New Guinea? What time's your flight?

New Guinea? What time's your flight?

1900. Why?

You'll be able to watch the sunset from the plane.

You'll be able to watch the sunset Thank you very much, ladies.

Thank you very much, ladies.

Dismissed. Dismissed!

You may go, Gunner Morley.

Yes, sir.

Cressida Morley had more life in the corners of her mouth

than most women had in their entire bodies.

Did I know then that she would be my salvation?

MAN: One, two!

(MEN GROAN)

New Guinea. 1942.

I had landed in my father's nightmare.

How I wanted my brother there in my place,

How I wanted my brother there not from cowardice this time,

not from cowardice this time,

but because he had earned the right to this grim adventure,

while I had not.

MEN: Arggh! MAN: Get down!

MEN: Arggh! (MEN YELL)

(MEN YELL)

I did as I was told.

I wrote copiously and I wrote brilliantly.

And I skulked and dodged

and was desperately afraid.

And I wrote myself into my own lie.

I was the perfect man for the job that must be done.

A reporter with tendencies towards the unscrupulous.

A writer of hymns to national pride.

Arggh!

Oh! You right?

Oh! Oh.

Oh.

(SIGHS)

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

JACK: "Dear Davy,

"I'm writing to you from Civvie Street.

"I got to Darwin alright, but I took another tumble.

"Over a cliff in a dodgy jeep - how's that?

"And the old pelvis gave up the ghost.

"And the old pelvis "So here I am.

"So here I am.

"A returned bloke without ever getting away.

"Sheila had a little boy two months ago.

"He's got a good left hook on him already.

"He's got a good left hook "But what I really want, I reckon,

"But what I really want, I reckon,

"is for him to get a decent education -

"not end up a mug lair like his old man.

"Met a lady friend of yours the other day, from the AWAS.

"Met a lady friend of yours "Bombardier Morley. Cressida.

"Bombardier Morley. Cressida.

"Said to remember her to you."

(EXPLOSION)

(GASPS)

New Guinea became New York, London, Rome.

New Guinea became New York, And all my despatches home,

And all my despatches home,

written from more bars than battlefields,

written from more bars were headed,

were headed,

"David Meredith, were headed,

"David Meredith, somewhere in Burma."

"David Meredith, Or Ceylon, or Chongqing,

Or Ceylon, or Chongqing,

or the palace of the kings of Naples.

(SPEAKS ITALIAN)

Somewhere further, (SPEAKS ITALIAN)

Somewhere further, always further from my own country

Somewhere further, and my own people.

and my own people.

(SPEAKS ITALIAN)

Grazie.

And I sensed that I had already and deliberately

begun to sever the ties with my homeland

begun to sever the ties and my countrymen.

and my countrymen.

I saw that my face was not the same as their faces.

Not the same as my brother Jack's face.

It was the face of a man who has travelled too far.

And I knew that I was not quite one of them.

I never had been and I never would be.

But the sum total of my life would be simply this...

.."David Meredith,

"somewhere in somewhere else."

Might drive on a bit, alright?

Back to the city.

New book's selling like hell, I hear.

Not thinking of making it a career, huh?

To be honest, I don't know what I want to do anymore.

I don't think I can settle down here again.

Not long ago,

I would've sat you down in that chair

and lectured you about loyalty, duty,

and lectured you esprit de corps.

esprit de corps.

Why not now?

I've just spent a fortune on gold leaf...

..adding the names of dead men to the Morning Post honour roll.

It was loyalty and duty that put them there.

(SIGHS)

Get stuck into it. It's prewar.

To before the war.

Before the war.

(MACHINE BEEPS)

Six years ago, I asked the question, "Why do we fight?"

And I answered myself, "Because it was ever thus."

This war has changed the world.

There is no going back.

And we who have fought it,

we hope that the generations to come

will understand the Australia we have fought for.

will understand Her generosity, her humour.

Her generosity, her humour.

That way we have of giving the shirt off our own back to a mate.

A sense of honour that drives us to have a go -

sometimes stubbornly, sometimes foolishly -

sometimes stubbornly, in the face of overwhelming odds.

in the face of overwhelming odds.

The Australian way of setting the jaw and taking it on, no matter what.

Today, I lay my hat at the feet of those who have given their lives

Today, I lay my hat at the feet for that creed.

for that creed.

And just as crucially,

to those who struggled, day after day,

generation after generation,

to go on living by it.

And yet, even as we stand here,

on the very edge of history,

that creed is fading into obsolescence.

And so I plead with our children

and our children's children...

(CLICK!)

..don't let my Australia become a footnote in a history book.

MAN: Evening, sir.

(LAUGHS) Hello.

I know you.

You have come up in the world.

Oh, that. There's a war on.

It's in all the papers.

Thanks for your message, by the way. It's in all the papers.

Thanks for your message, by the way. I got it in New Guinea.

Oh, I liked your brother. Talks about you all the time.

Oh, I liked your brother. (LAUGHS)

(LAUGHS)

You, um...

..you wouldn't be here You, um...

..you wouldn't be here by yourself, by any chance?

Here? Hardly.

Yeah. Yeah, it's a pity.

'Cause I am, you see. (LAUGHS)

Actually, I'm here with my boss 'Cause I am, you see. (LAUGHS)

Actually, I'm here with my boss and, uh,

Actually, I'm here with my boss I'm absolutely, perfectly sure

I'm absolutely, perfectly sure

he wouldn't mind if you joined us.

(LAUGHS) Well, if you're absolutely, perfectly sure.

(LAUGHS)

Be still my beating heart!

It's Golden Boy!

Gavin bloody Turley.

Where the hell did you come from?

Gavin, how...?

Oh, it's too sordid.

Lost the wretched thing in a brawl in a brothel in Alexandria.

I don't like to speak about it in front of the child.

I was terribly upset about Peggy, Gavin.

I was very sorry. Yeah, so was I.

Well, let's arrange ourselves comfortably and get some more grog.

Be a darling, Cress, and catch a waiter's eye, will you?

Some of your stuff's been pretty good.

Some of your stuff's Is that in spite of yourself?

Is that in spite of yourself?

I just followed your advice. (MAN SINGS IN ITALIAN)

Preserve that precious little asset of the unscrupulous.

Well, well, well. A white pigeon strikes again.

Well, well, well. (LAUGHS)

(LAUGHS)

Alright. What would you have done in my place?

He would've done exactly the same thing as you.

Wouldn't you? And less well, probably.

For what it's worth, I like what you write.

Propaganda.

The nation must have its myths.

God, I believe you might be The nation must have its myths.

God, I believe you might be developing a degree of honesty.

Watch out, old cock. That'll be the stone end of you.

I'm going to go to Venezuela after the war.

I'm going to go to Venezuela And New York and London and Paris.

And New York and London and Paris.

And then beyond the Silk Road.

Where you went.

And places people haven't been.

Like Timbuktu.

Hey, I'm an impolite bastard. Like Timbuktu.

Hey, I'm an impolite bastard. How's Helen?

Hey, I'm an impolite bastard. I should've asked.

I should've asked.

You know Helen.

She has her friends.

(MAN CONTINUES SINGING) This bloody war.

What you have here is a savage.

An authentic savage.

Born on a barren mile on a Pacific beach.

Didn't wear a pair of shoes until you were 13, did you, Cress?

Didn't wear a pair of shoes Well, not quite.

Well, not quite.

But I know you'd like to think so.

Why don't you take her with you?

Take her to Paris. Or Swaziland.

Some unlikely place.

There's a challenge for you.

She's like you, though. Remember that.

She's got no guarantees either.

Excuse me.

Tell me about New York.

I've read so much.

Have dinner with me tomorrow night.

Please.

We've only got one more night.

Unless, of course...

I'd love to.

(SIGHS)

Fellas! Here he is.

The man of a thousand adventures, my brother Davy!

The man of a thousand adventures, (SCATTERED APPLAUSE)

(SCATTERED APPLAUSE)

Can I buy you a drink, Mr Meredith?

Yeah, a pot. Thanks, Thommo.

Oh, you mean the real Mr Meredith?

Give us a break, Jack.

Here, one at a time, one at a time. Slide in there.

Here, one at a time, Set 'em up.

Set 'em up.

Come on, Thommo. Get it over with. Our hero won't bite.

I-I've read some of it already, Mr Meredith.

I-I've read some of it already, I think it's brilliant.

I think it's brilliant.

I read everything you write.

Um, if you could... To Tom?

Yeah, yeah. Just Tom.

Just Tom.

Ha!

There's no need to actually curtsy, you blokes.

I was at the right place at the right time, that's all.

Hey, I keep telling you, he's not even a real digger.

Hey, I keep telling you, (ALL LAUGH)

(ALL LAUGH)

Did you hear me, Jack?

I got lucky.

Hey, if you ask him nicely...

I thought of Jack as I had seen him five long years before,

I thought of Jack as I had seen him hard and strong and confident

hard and strong and confident

like the fighting men with their ribbons of the deserts and jungles

and the mountains and the beaches.

And I knew that all the Jacks were marching past me,

And I knew that all the Jacks all the Jacks were marching still.

all the Jacks were marching still.

But my Jack was not among them.

My Jack had invested all his brave pride and purpose in me.

I was his brother Davy.

I just wish I'd had the guts to tell you before now.

When I started...when I started this, I was running away.

We both were.

I didn't know what I wanted.

I've never known what I've wanted.

But it's not this.

It's not this.

Why do we imagine that inflicting such pain will be easy...

..that the telling of a simple truth will somehow absolve us

of the deceit and neglect and cruelty...

..and of simply not loving enough?

I'm so sorry.

(SWING MUSIC PLAYS)

There was something I had to do.

I can't explain.

You look tired.

Are you alright?

Yes.

Yep.

Yes.

The kitchen's closed.

Perhaps we could go for a walk.

Mm, perhaps we could.

You'll think this is just part of the repertoire.

Standard wartime cliche.

But...

But I want...

..whatever indefinable thing

that makes you what you are to rub off on me.

I want to take you to Swaziland and...and to New York

and...and the Gobi Desert and...

Swaziland will still be there after the war.

I could start by walking you to your plane.

She was more risk than I had ever taken in my life.

We were hurtling headlong into wonder and terror

and the potential for pain.

But for David Meredith, who did not deserve it,

But for David Meredith, it was the chance at last

it was the chance at last

to seize with both hands a life that might - just might - be what?

Authentic, perhaps.

(TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACK)

It's odd that in all the years since I abandoned the country of my birth,

I've heard from my brother Jack only twice.

Perhaps he'd said all he had to say

in that long-distant land Perhaps he'd said all he had to say

in that long-distant land of our childhood.

"Got to have a go at it, Nipper,

"even if you know you can't bloody win.

"Even if you're just pissing into the wind, you've got to have a go."

"Even if you're just pissing into Jack.

Jack.

Hello, Tom.

No, don't sit down.

That's Davy's chair.

Farewell, Jack.

I'll see you when I see you.

Yassou.

Daddy! Daddy!

Show Dad your castle.

Daddy, look at my castle!

It's a beauty.

Come on, darling.

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation