Original subtitles

[music playing]

[screaming]

[train whistle]

Nurses, come.

Hurry up.

Gather around.

Come along.

We have come to war to aid our men.

That is our calling, our devotion.

I served during the Boer War.

I have seen the impact a trained nurse

can have on the health and recovery

of the wounded combatant.

Tomorrow, you will commence your duties.

Be your best for yourpatients, for your country,

hail you from Australia orNew Zealand, for The empire,

and for the King, but mostly for yourselves.

Matron Wilson, MatronGould, I'm here to escort you.

Sisters, our lorries are here.

The vehicles have been redeployed

for movement of livestock.

Livestock?

Horses travel by lorry while nurses walk?

Six weeks on the voyage.

Five hours on that dreadful train.

A stroll will help us regain our land legs.

Form two lines.

Make them straight.

Lord, I thought Adelaide was hot.

You've got to be joking!

Good thing we have our deck chairs to help

us face the ordeals of war.

I wonder what battalion he's with.

I don't know.

$2 schilling?

Uh-- no.

No, thank you.

[non-english speech]

Thank you.

You're welcome.

SOLDIER: Follow me, ladies.

It's so hot.

Do you think we have to walk?

[music playing]

We're to share?

They could have at least letus nominate our roommates.

I'm sure we'll rub along all right.

Oh, do you mind?

Just I sleep better with the breeze.

Oh, of course.

You're from Sydney,aren't you, Sister Shepherd?

Mm. And you?

Melbourne.

Well, Perth, originally, but, you know--

I feel I know you from somewhere.

Really? How odd.

Yes, I felt it the wholevoyage from Australia.

Could we have crossed paths during training?

No, we couldn't have. That is, uh--

I'm certain we haven't.

Is it all right if I use this one?

Thank you.

I think-- what is it?

Bully beef.

The men live on it, apparently.

Well, for country, empire, and King.

Awful. [laughing]

Would You like to join us, Sister Ross-King?

Thank you, Sister Steele, but--

Lieutenant Frank Smith.

May I escort you to your table, Sister--

Alice Ross-King.

But are you sure you wouldn'trather make me a march?

[laughing]

You know, we're not all brutes in the army.

So lieutenant, how long have you been--

Mind if I join you?

Of course.

Lieutenant Smith, this is myroommate, Sister Shepherd.

Which battalion are you with, Lieutenant?

The 13th.

Your camp, under thepyramids, do you sleep in tents?

FRANK: Indeed, we do.

All of you-- officers, as wellas men, you all sleep in tents?

From the colonel to the lowest private.

The pyramids are marvelous--simply towering with history.

Have you been to see them yet?

I'd be delighted to escort you both.

If I have time from myduties, that would be lovely.

Ah, yes, your duties.

A brave bunch of girls you are.

Or are some of you nurses married ladies?

All footloose and fancy free.

We have to be to qualifyfor Australian Army Nurse--

- But you do have privacy? - Pardon?

Oh, your tents.

I hope as an officer, you haveprivacy, that you don't share.

Well, it depends on rank.

But for the most part, we'vegot space to ourselves.

Lieutenant Smith seems nice.

Yes.

ALICE: You and he gotalong like a house on fire.

I was just being sociable.

Of course.

Though we should be carefulhow we conduct ourselves.

I know we're entitled to abit of fun while we're here,

but being too forward could--

well, it could give you a reputation.

I was just being sociable.

Of course.

[explosions]

Is that--

Can you hear it?

They're fighting over at the Suez.

Apparently, the NewZealanders are already there.

Sisters, a moment, please?

The enemy is increasing his push towards us.

10,000 Turks have massed on theother side of the Suez Canal.

Is it an invasion, Miss?

Turkish strategy is beyondmy ken, Sister Haynes.

But our armies are responding.

And the British are establishinga casualty clearing station

in Port Said, just six milesfrom the canal, a clearing

station that needs volunteers.

[eager mumbles]

MATRON GOULD: Good.Sister Ross-King, Sister Haynes.

Miss Wilson?

Mm-hmm?

Are Australian battalionsheading to the fighting?

I couldn't say.

Might they be staying here in Cairo?

Troop movements are notour concern, Sister Shepherd.

We leave in an hour.

[train whistle]

We must be nearly there.

SOLDIER: We've requisitioned thebuilding from some French nuns

who ran it as an orphanage.

It, uh-- it needs a quick once-over.

[sighs]

Well, I'll leave you to it, Matron.

Well, Sisters, here we are.

Yes, throw all of this out.

These bedsteads, take them out and scrub them.

[music playing]

Sisters, take that mattressoutside, beat it and air it.

[screeches]

Well done, Sisters.

This is most satisfactory.

Well done, Sister.

Good. Very good.

Thank you.

Matron, excellent.

An ambulance has just arrived.

Sisters, to your stations, please.

SOLDIER: Orderlies!

Casualties approaching!

MATRON GOULD: Dressing station one, please.

[groaning]

[music playing]

Dressing station two.

Hello there, corporal.

[chatter]

Sister Ross-King, come with me, please.

Uh-- excuse me, Matron.

Speak to the Major.

Next.

Major Leopoldconcerned about this one?

He was just doing rounds.

And you were just beingsociable again, I suppose?

No.

Oh, I realize it's Lieutenant Smith

you've really set your cap at.

Sister Shepherd, I know I've been uncivil.

And I know I have noright to step in your way.

And I'm not surprisedyou're smitten with Frank.

But I'm not.

And I'm sure he findsyou pretty presentable too.

Sister Ross-King, I have no romantic

interest in Frank Smith.

But what about all that business

of officers and tents and privacy?

I was just making small talk.

Oh.

So you won't mind if I indulgein the gentle art with him?

Not at all.

As you said, we'reentitled to a bit of fun.

MATRON GOULD: Sisters, we are closing the station

and returning to Cairo.

But we've just got here.

Most of our troops have already been recalled.

Have we beaten the Turks?

I couldn't say.

If we're pulling out--

Oh, British high commandmay have a new plan.

But it does seem the Turks have withdrawn.

And you've earned yourselvesa couple of days leave.

ALICE: Good morning, Sister Shepherd.

Sightseeing on your day off?

Oh, I'm um--

the pyramids.

My brother, Lance Corporal Wilson.

I tried to convince my serious, big sister

to go crocodile hunting on the Nile,

but she insists on getting me cultured.

Well, I mustn't detain you.

Good day.

Excuse me?

2nd Battalion?

2nd?

Those blokes got themselves a sunny spot.

Uh--

Third row, miss.

[music playing]

Sister Shepherd?

Lieutenant Cook.

How are you?

Well.

You?

Yes, indeed.

Tea?

Home sweet home.

[music playing]

Has anyone caught on?

I don't think so.

You're my naughty secret.

Else?

Mm?

There's talk of an invasion.

We're being sent to the Dardanelles.

When?

[coughing]

God!

Are you all right?

I must have pulled a muscle.

New arrivals.

They've heard the rumor of us invading Turkey.

The whole camp's abuzzwith itchy trigger fingers.

At Port Said, I wasasked to assist in surgery.

I saw my first bullet extraction.

The bullet was embedded in the humerus,

and the surgeon got it very neatly.

I'm busy, you know?

One time, I did almost a dozen gunshot wounds.

A dozen.

And you weren't alarmed?

I thought I might be nervy, but I

just wanted to do the job well.

Hello there.

Major Leopold, you're in Cairo?

Recall the waiting orders,like so many other chaps.

Staying at the hunting lodge, actually.

We're sure to bump into each other.

Well, good day.

Who is that old bloke?

The English MO I met in Port Said.

I'm so glad I went.

I feel ready for anything now.

[laughing]

What?

What?

Call me old-fashioned,but I don't like the thought

of you so close to the front.

A war is no place for a woman.

I'm a fully qualified nurse, Frank.

This is where I should be.

Well, if I had my way, you'dbe in a beautiful palace.

A palace?

Mm-hmm.

I've always ratherfancied myself in a palace.

Nurse, over here.

Can you open your eyes?

Whoa, what are you doing?

Going back to camp.

Oh, no, you can't.

Your wound is not healed.- Well, I've got to go.

Sister Haynes!

Sister Shepherd is right, private.

Your dancing days will beover if that gash on your foot

gets septic.

Me mates are going to sail off to fight

Johnny Turk without me.

That's just a rumour.

There might not be an invasion at all.

There--[laboured breathing] there

might not be any fighting.

All there is, is talk.

Elsie?

Matron?

The postmaster general hasapproved the construction

of an additional telephone trunk line,

between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Hello there.

I knew my six-week-oldAdelaide Advertiser would

bring you back from the brink.

What, uh--

Pleurisy.

You had a temp of 104.

Could have fried an egg on your forehead.

[knocking]

I heard voices.

Well, you look rather better.

How long have I been ill?

Couple of days.

Has the invasion happened?

Have our men gone?

Nothings happened.

We should tell Miss Gould.

Her concern for you has made her almost human.

Syd?

Oh, you mustn't be here.- I hadn't heard from you.

You-- you can't be here.

You're not-- you must go.

In a moment.

Look at you.

You're pale as sheet.

You must go.

[heavy breathing]

Sister Shepherd, how are we this--

clearly, on the mend.

Elsie is not to blame.

It's my fault.

This is utterly insupportable.

She's done nothing wrong.

MATRON GOULD: Our position within the Army

is ambiguous enough.

SYD: If you understood our situation--

Here you are laying us opento charges of immorality.

I suspect, Miss Gould,Sister Shepherd's offense

may be of a different kind.

Isn't that right, Mrs. Cook?

From the moment I saw you on Secular Quay,

I felt you were familiar.

Your wedding was in theBrisbane Career social pages,

with photographs.

An Interstate newspaper carried

photographs of your wedding.

Why?

Because of his father.

My father is, um--

Joseph Cook.

Prime Minister Joseph Cook.

SYD: Well, he lost the last election, but yes.

Right.

Well, what a mess.

Look, punish me if you needto, but go easy on my Elsie.

If you could leave now, please,

Lieutenant Cook, through the front door

rather than the window.

Syd?

Just get better, old girl.

Go back to bed, Sister Shepherd.

Back to bed.

We will discuss this when you are recovered.

And you should be spending your days

off on rest, not eavesdropping.

I knew I'd seen her before.

I saw her wedding photographin the Melbourne papers.

She wore ivory silk.

He's handsome, isn't he?

She can't have imaginedshe could keep being married

secret for the whole war.

But Elsie can't lower herreputation with her husband.

It's not about her reputation now.

She'll lose her job.

Oh.

Oh, of course.

Oh, dear.

Good morning, Sisters.

Oh, dear.

Hello, Alice.

Hello, Frank.

Lieutenant Smith istaking me to the pyramids.

But Miss Gould said that we should rest.

One must cast sweets inthe cup while one can, Hilda.

FRANK: You look wonderful.

Thank you.

She is so assured.

She's so something, that's for sure.

Now, I have a surprise forthe next leg of our expedition.

Tea at an oasis?

A string quartet by the Sphinx?

Camels!

I know they're rather alarming,

but dromedaries are the fastest way

to travel these sandy roads.

I'll be by your side the whole time.

Oh, they're gorgeous.

Wait, let me help you.

There we go.

It's astonishing.

Another good stone put to no great purpose,

as far as I can see.

It makes me feel insignificant, like I'm

a part of something endless.

It certainly feels like I'min this desert for an eternity.

Men are getting edgy.

I just wish the brass wouldget this invasion over

and done with.

If you can force your nerve and heart

and sinew to serve theirturn long after they're gone,

you'll be a man, Frank.

Kipling?

Oh-- [laughing] Look at you, my clever,

little nursey quoting poetry.

Thank you for a lovely day.

Eh-- um--

MAJOR LEOPOLD: Hello there.

Oh.

Hello, Major.

Been Sphinxing?

The Great Pyramid.

Ah, Orion's belt buckle.

Apparently, the ancient Egyptians

built the Great Pyramid tocorrelate to one of the stars

in the constellation of Orion.

Oh.

I can hardly recognize any stars here.

I still find it odd notseeing the Southern Cross.

I did a bit of star gazingin my dim and distant youth.

Shall we?

[music playing]

Orion is Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, Saiph,

and Rigel, at the bottom right.

And those three stars in the middle are his belt.

My father knew the stars--

Australian ones.

He used to fish by them.

He said when there was nomoon, mullet practically

threw themselves in the boat.

He must be proud of you enlisting.

He passed away when I was small.

He drowned with my brothers.

I'm so sorry.

Mother didn't want me to enlist,

didn't want me to be a nurse at all.

MAJOR LEOPOLD: My parents didn'twant me to do medicine either--

hoped I'd follow in father's footsteps,

go in for the church, take overhis parish, stay in Cumbria.

You didn't want to?

No, I wanted to see the world.

Though, as I've got older, Ican understand their position,

and your mother's.

One wishes to keep closethe things one cares for.

Shepherd's your maiden name?

Well, aren't you the sly one?

Sister Ross-King, I've neverdone anything like this, ever.

But I couldn't stay athome while he went to war.

What's it like being married?

I hardly know.

Our wedding was just before Syd sailed.

We hadn't seen each other for three months

till the other day.

When you were at the camp,in the privacy of his tent?

I'm just being sociable.

[laughing]

We're going to be separatedagain now, though.

You're a good nurse.

It's ludicrous they'd send you home.

Well, at least you'll have a room to yourself.

You know, after sharing all this time together,

Sister seems a bit formal.

Shall we use our Christian names?

MATRON GOULD: Australian military nurses

must be between 21 and 40,have done three years training,

and be either widowed, or single.

Nurses who marry whilst on active service

will automatically vacate their positions.

I-- I want to do my bid, Miss Gould.

I was one of the first to join--

By committing a falsehood.

You can, perhaps, work in a military hospital,

back in Australia.

But I'm needed here.

You said a trained nurse canmake a huge difference in war.

Yes, and the Army expectsus to adhere to the rules.

I'm sure your father-in-law,the former prime minister,

would understand thepolitics of our situation.

You know, my father-in-law'slast act as prime minister

was to pledge Australia's full support

for Britain in this war.

And you know he's such astrong supporter of the nursing

service, that I'm sure he'dbe our advocate in parliament,

in government, or opposition.

You will receive no special dispensations.

No, Miss Gould.

There will be no hiding this.

I do not want to be accused of subterfuge.

So there is one complicationyou will immediately remove.

Say hello to your newcolleague, Sister Elsie Cook.

Oh, that is a bonzer, Sister, just bonzer!

It is such a relief.

I dropped a dozen stitcheslast night worrying.

Well done, Elsie.

Thank you, Alice.

[laughing]

So what's the plan?

- The Poms have got it sorted.- Hmm?

Snake landing at theDardanelles, a quick dash

to Constantinople, and Bob's your uncle.

You don't have an Uncle Bob.

After this caper we will.

We can use crosses to see the Turks off

and we can all go home.

Some of us have been chosen to go

on the British hospital ships.

I wish it was me.

I'd be closer to you.

My dear girl, you'd get so terribly seasick.

Mm.

[music playing]

[whistling and hollering]

Coined us ANZACs, AustraliaNew Zealand Army Corps.

Frank?

You're so lovely.

Frank, stop.

What's wrong?

I don't think we should.

But tonight's my last night.

I go to Turkey tomorrow and whoknows what could happen to me.

You said it yourself, oneshould cast sweets in the cup

while you still can.

Yes, but I want us to part on good terms.

Thought you'd be at the campwith the other young folk.

Oh.

I was.

But it got rather unruly.

Alice, will you takethe advice of an old man?

You're not old.

Experienced, then.

At times like these,emotions are intensified.

Men make rash declarations, especially men

going off to battle.

You're a very young person away from home,

and I would urge you to exercisecaution in how you respond

to any offers you may receive.

Oh, I thought I saw you come up here.

I-- I can come back later.

Hilda, wait.

So sorry.

I am such a galoot.

You're leaving tonight?

On the 11:30 train to Alexandria.

Can't think why I've beenpicked for a hospital ship

when others are so much more competent.

I wanted to say goodbye.

I hope you don't think that's presumptuous.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Will you write to me, Hilda?

Tell me how you and the boys are faring.

I'd be delighted.

Though, I imagine, we'll allbe back in a couple of weeks.

Bye.

Dear Alice, we have spentthe last few days in Moudros

Harbor as an enormous fleet.

Hundreds of British and French warships gathers.

But now, we are all Turkey bound.

Please God, bless mom and dad.

[hushing]

Please God, protect all the Kiwiboys and the Australians too.

Hilda, I was up all night with that Tommy

with rheumatic fever.

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

Please God, if we have surgery today,

and if I'm asked toassist, could you make sure

that I don't drop anything?

[groaning]

Actually, please God, couldyou possibly see that someone

else altogether gets chosen?

Oh, honestly, Hilda, your are as

wet as a weekend in Wellington.

[explosion]

[gasps]

What's that?

What's happening?

[music playing]

SOLDIER: I want every MO andevery nurse onboard on duty.

Prep for surgery in both theaters!

Make some room on these bloody decks now!

Come on, boy, will you pull!

Weren't you watching?

[crying]

It's all right. private.

You're safe now.

OK.

You're OK.

Just breathe deeply.

[yelling]

Keep breathing deeply.

Through the nose.

It's OK.

It's OK.

[music playing]

[screaming]

Just a drop-- that's it.

That's it.

Ah!

Ah.

Elsie, where are they all from?

Gallipoli.

Sister Ross-King, you're here.

Good.

We need another dressing station.

Triage hemorrhages, chest,and head cases first, then

limbs and sepsis.

Watch for signs of gangrene.

Sister Ross-King?

There are so many boys.

Sister, we have 200patients already admitted.

And god knows how many moreare arriving from the docks.

Please, do your job.

Of course, Miss Wilson.

ELSIE: Alice, can you look out for--

for him?

Station three, please.

[screaming]

Thank you.

Hello there, Private.

I'm Sister Alice Ross-King.

I'll be looking after you today.

Just take a deep breathe--

SISTER: We need some orderlies, please.

[screaming]

Have you seen Syd?

[groaning]

Did Lieutenant Burk make it?

Can you stand to me, private?

Who's Bert?

Been mates since Mount Eden Prep, me and Bert.

Sisters!

Oh, the MO gave them morphine an hour ago.

They wouldn't be so woozy ifwe could get to them sooner.

There are so many from the 2nd.

Syd will be all right. You'd have heard.

Have you heard from Frank.

Her cards dated the 19th.

Anything could have happened since then.

ELSIE: Of course.- Alice, there's an exit wound.

Major Springer?

For God's sake, make surethe next order of sterile water

is actually bloody sterile.

The last jug had an onion in it.- I'm sorry.

The servants brought it in fromthe cook house, and I can't--

Major Springer, I have a dressing station

patient with a bullet still in the wound.

He'll have to wait his turn.

Well, I'm concernedhe's developing gangrene.

How long?

A day-- two-- three.

He's waited six already.

He could lose his arm.

Sister, there are men herewho could lose their lives

if I don't get to them.

You've had surgical experience.

As a theater Sister.

He's loaded with morphine.

You can do it.

[music playing]

[groaning]

[screaming]

[crying]

All a bit much, eh?

No, no-- no, I'm fine.

Alice-- about theother night, I was wrong,

utterly, to take advantage.

Sometimes, one can't suppress one's feelings.

Oh, Xavier--

I've no wish to embarrass you.

Oh, Xavier, please, I haven't time for affairs

of that sort right now.

I just need a friend.

Can we be friends?

Of course.

You're 2nd Battalion.

Do you know Lieutenant Cook?

What?

The pollie's son?

Not in my company, but yeah, I know him.

Is he-- do you know how he is?

We all hit the beach--

second wave.

Never saw him after that.

Elsie?

I'll be all right.

You go back to the ward.

I'm sorry, but you're lucky last.

Hello, old girl.

Oh, god, Syd, I didn't know where you were.

[music playing]

Elsie?

36 hours--

36 hours straight you did on that shift.

You are a conch.

I only managed 32.

I had eight men die on me today--

oldest was 19.

Maybe we have won.

[explosion]

Millicent!

Medicinal purposes.

Officers Miss won't notice.

Do you know what gets my goat?

The papers going on making out this

is a simple thing that'sforcing up the Dardanelles.

If we dare tell the truth about this,

we'll be called un-British.

Millicent, we just need some sleep.

[explosion]

Good luck with that.

From home?

From Hilda.

She says the men can't makeheadway inland because there

aren't enough of them.

The Turks just sit on the cliff tops and--

Reinforcements.

How is Syd?

Well, his leg threatenedto become infected,

but I think we've beaten it.

I though after Port Said, I was ready.

I thought I'd seen it all.

We all did.

Well, it's early days.

Reinforcements will help.

Next.

[music playing]

Gunshot wound to chest.

Bullet not located.

Scalpel.

You all right, Sister?

Fine.

Thank you, doctor.

Major.

When will you bloody nurseslearn some discipline?

Hello there.

You had a collapsed lung.

Can you take a deep breath?

[wheezing]

You'll be fine.

Don't imagine I'll beriding camels anytime soon.

This should be firm.

Let us know if it gets uncomfortable.

You should rest.

I'll get the orderlies to take you to the ward.

My dear, Hilda, I was going tocomplain to you about how busy

we've been, but I can onlyimagine how much worse it is

for you so close to the cove.

I had a nasty sore throat the other day.

And though I should haveslept, I found I couldn't.

So I snuck into town and did some shopping--

foolish, I know.

But it made a refreshing change from war.

No, it costs too much. - [non-english speech]

- Too much. - [non-english speech]

Ah, just forget it.

Excuse me?

Could you tell me where I could find a bookshop?

An English language one?

Yeah, afraid so.

I've got a little Latin and French, less Greek,

and no Arabic whatsoever.

Um-- down this lane, takeyour first set of steps left.

It's a bit narrow and watch out for beggars.

Uh-- jog for about 100 yardsand there's a little place

that sells some editions.

Goodness, you're clearly a local.

Well, what book are you after?

The "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam."

Poetry.

And philosophy.

I brought my much-loved copywith me on the voyage over,

but it was the unfortunate victim

of my batman's malaise de mer.

Your batman was seasick on your favorite book?

[laughing]

Well, Thank you.

Would you like me to show you?

Of course.

Some say Khayyam is a Sufi.

To others, he is a mystic or an atheist.

Well, what do you take from him?

Well, I think he's a fatalist.

He believes our actions are free,

but we've no influence over the future.

It's an attitude rathersuited to war, win or lose.

So we're down to fate.

Well, we're on the right side.

God's on our side.

This conflict's all part of his grand plan?

I'm afraid, I don't believe that.

Then why are you here?

Well, Australia's a young country.

We've got to engage with the wider world

if we're to be taken seriously.

Well, I guess, I'm here forcommon, or garden, duty.

What brought you to the mysterious east?

My duty, I suppose, and the lovely silks.

My sister's tried toeducate me on the difference

between silk and satin.

She failed hopelessly.

[laughing]

Would you read me some?

Certainly.

"A book of versesunderneath about the bow.

A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou,

beside me singing in thewilderness, a wilderness,

a paradise, and now.

That's lovely.

I was expecting a grim lesson on destiny.

Oh, I can read you someof those too, if you like.

[bell tolling]

I have to go.

Is everything all right?

We have an 11:00 PM curfewand our matron is rather strict.

And you risked her wrathfor me and old Omar here.

I'll pay for a gharri.

No, it-- it's fine.

I'll run.

Please, you must-- youmust let me pay for a gharri.

Well, I-- I hope youdon't turn into a pumpkin.

[laughing]

Thank you for the lift, lieutenant.

I don't know your name.

Harry-- Harry Moffitt.

Alice Ross-King.

Good night, Alice.

Good night.

Mani camp.

Thank you, driver.

Too hot to sleep again?

Well, I tried frustratingmyself on the bathroom floor,

but even there--

You're always at it, aren't you?

At what?

Day and night, casting yoursweets at this fellow and that.

Is my business really yours, Olive?

Sorry.

I've got the grumps.

Put it down to the 180 Tommy's from Gallipoli

I admitted today.

You missed Miss Wilson's call for volunteers.

Apparently, high command want a general hospital

closer to ANZAC, so they're setting

one up on Lemnos Island.

Did you put up your hand?

Did Elsie?

She's not going to leaveCairo while Syd's convalescing.

Hmm.

But you could.

I don't know, Olive.

Of course.

All those sweets in your cup.

He your sort?

I honestly don't know.

Try and give a cough several times a day

to keep your lungs clear.

You're so good to me.

Well, you're doing very well.

Major Springer is very impressed.

Well, you're the one that saved me.

I feel better when you're around.

Be by my side always?

Marry me, Alice?

Marry me now.

But what about my work?

Leave it.

We can leave this disaster andgo home, go back to Australia.

I love you, Alice.

I just want to make youhappy, build you that palace

you always dreamed of.

Alice?

Who is it?

Is it that Pommy bloke?

I'm sorry, I'm on duty.

Any pain?

Are you sure?

No stiffness?

Twinges?

I'm afraid, old girl,your excellent nursing has

restored me to full fitness.

Fit for active duty.

Return to unit.

You know what today is?

It's our anniversary.

We've been married eight months.

SOLDIER [SINGING]: It's a long way to Tipperary.

It's a long way to go.

It's a long way to Tipperary,to the sweetest girl I know.

Goodbye Piccadilly.

Farewell Leicester Square.

It's a long, long way to Tipperary,

but my heart's right there.

He's lost both eyes.

Do you know what he does for a living back home?

He's a tailor.

But we must just work onand pray for a swift victory.

I've had 19 deaths in a fortnight, Hilda.

Shh

19.

Cracker boys, every one of them.

But you mustn't drink.

You mustn't.

You might do something silly.- What?

Silly?

Like sending wave after wave of our boys

up those stupid, deadly--- Shh.

--cliffs?

Silly, like living on a floating tin can

with bombs dropping left and right?

Millicent?

You can keep on praying if you'd like,

but I am heartily sickof this whole bloody war.

Millicent!

Lovely, isn't it?

Especially to a boy from Gisborne,

population-- not very many.

There's beauty all over Egypt.

I had no idea before I came.

Neither did I. What shall we drink to?

Your safe return from ANZAC Cove.

Fate willing.

You will be careful.

Of course.

Can't control the future.

These rock eggs?

Harry, I know you don't believe in God,

but the suffering I've seen, itcan only be the result of evil.

The men you nurse, Alice, were wounded

because of failed international politics,

not supernatural forces.

That's not what I'm saying.

What are you saying?

Well, this invasion, I've seen what it

really means, to real people.

No, you haven't.

You haven't been home.

You haven't been in Australia.

You should see how peoplethere react to the very mention

of the word Gallipoli.

Well, they're going offwhat they read in the papers,

not what's actually happening.

We're standing tough, Alice.

We're making a name for ourselves.

New Zealanders, too, and I'm proud of that.

And so am I, but you're talking

like it's a cricket match.

And I don't think youunderstand what you're facing.

I think I have a fair idea.

Thank you.

Victory against the Turks would prove

that we're not just colonials.

A victory?

Harry, we're not winning.

And men are dying.

I know what's in the papers.

I know what's happening in Turkey, too.

This Gallipoli thing,Alice, is our chance to step

out of Britain's shadow.

And I want to be part of that.

More tea?

Harry sailed?

We fell out today.

Well, sort of.

He's not naive.

He's the opposite, really.

But he still sees the warin this sort of glamor

and lofty notions, while I'm--

oh, bother.

I hardly know him, Elsie.

I hardly know the first thingabout him or his character,

and yet I--

I'm no longer interested in other men.

I've never felt like this for anybody before.

And now he's gone to Gallipoli.

Do you and Sid argue?

Not really.

Well perhaps we haven'tbeen together long enough.

He went back to Gallipoli today too.

Gallipoli-- what a stupid name.

A stupid name for a stupidplace in the middle of nowhere

that no one ever heard of three months ago.

What shift are you on?

Alice?

Yeah?

We should get some sleep.

[music playing]

MATRON GOULD: Your qualities as army nurses

must include the following--

gentleness, cleanliness, observation, order,

truthfulness, obedience,courage, coolness, and tact,

wherever the army may send us.

Wartime nursing is not like civilian nursing.

You will be tested by your service,

perhaps to your very limits.

But with these core principles in our hearts

and our patient's welfareuppermost in our minds,

we shall prevail.

It's all very well, but I do believe we're

in for a splendid adventure.

[laughing]

Where is the hospital?

Colonel, there is nothing here.

I never asked for nurses in my unit.

And if it were up to me, we would not have

women in a forward zone at all.

There's been a battle at Gallipoli,

at a place they're calling Lone Pine.

We do make a rather good team, don't we?

[groaning]

At this rate, the sick willsoon outnumber the wounded.

Half of your nurses willdie before this war is won.

[crying]

[music playing]