form y separately published work icon Sisters of War single work   film/TV   historical fiction  
Issue Details: First known date: 2010... 2010 Sisters of War
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Sisters of War is a tale of strength, survival and forgiveness. It is inspired by the remarkable true story of two extraordinary Australian women, Lorna Whyte (Sarah Snook), an army nurse and Sister Berenice Twohill (Claire van der Boom), a Catholic nun from New South Wales. Although they were two very different women, their friendship would survive the incredible events of World War II.

'In January 1942, the Japanese war machine thundered across South East Asia. In its path lay a tiny Catholic mission station Vunapope, on the island of New Britain. Here a handful of Australian nurses, led by Matron Kay Parker (Susie Porter) took refuge along with a number of wounded Australian soldiers. Abandoned by their commanding officers, they were left to face the Japanese alone.

'When the Japanese arrived at Vunapope, the nurses and their patients were saved from massacre by the mission's leader, Polish-born Bishop Leo Scharmach (Gerald Lepkowski). This astonishing man bluffed the Japanese into believing that he was a personal friend of Hitler and that the mission was Hitler's property.

'In the dark days that followed, Sister Berenice and Lorna found themselves facing starvation, beatings and torture. Their beliefs were constantly tested, as was their friendship. Sister Berenice idolised Bishop Scharmach: Lorna was convinced he was a collaborator. The tiny mission became a setting for betrayal, heroism and death. And all the normal rules of war were broken.

'After six months, Lorna and Sister Berenice were separated. The Australian nurses were sent to Yokohama as part of a prisoner exchange. But the exchange program collapsed and the nurses found themselves trapped in war-time Japan, freezing and ravaged by disease. At the same time Sister Berenice, Bishop Scharmach and the nuns were taken to a dark, uninhabited jungle valley where they would be safe from air raids.

'Sisters of War is adapted from the wartime diaries and interviews with Lorna Johnston (nee Whyte), Sister Berenice and others who survived. The story of their captivity, their friendship, their will to survive and their extraordinary courage has never been told.'

Source: ABC1 website, http://www.abc.net.au/
Sighted: 09/11/2010

Notes

  • First screened on ABC1 on 14 November 2010.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Melbourne, Victoria,: Pericles Films ; ABC Television , 2010 .
      Extent: 95 minsp.
      Note/s:
      • Production credits: Written by John Misto. Produced by Andrew Wiseman. Directed by Brendan Maher. Line Producer: Yvonne Collins. ABC TV Head of Drama: Miranda Dear. Historical researcher: Rod Miller. DOP: Ben Nott A.C.S. Production designer: Eugene Intas. Composer: David Bridie. Editor: Uri Mizrahi.
      • Sisters of War is a Pericles Films Production in association with ABC TV. Produced in association with Screen Australia, Screen Queensland and Film Victoria.

Works about this Work

From Martyr to Robo-Nurse : The Portrayal of Australian Nurses on Screen Lisa Milner , Cathy Brigden , 2014 single work criticism
— Appears in: Studies in Australasian Cinema , vol. 8 no. 2/3 2014; (p. 110-122)
'Nurses have traditionally been seen as among the most trusted of workers, with cultural connections with caring and femininity long been associated with their profession. While the portrayal of nurses in overseas screenworks has had some attention, Australian productions have not. This study identifies four categories of screenworks: popular entertainment, training and recruitment films, wartime nursing, and nurses as workers and unionists. Although more recent mainstream media portrayals of nurses increasingly depict strong, assertive professionals, little research has been conducted into the fourth category, a significant number of which are made by nurses. When nurses take on the film-making task, different outcomes are produced. New types of film about nurses and by nurses offer an evolving representation of the profession and are helping to change the identity of nurses.' (Publication abstract)
From Martyr to Robo-Nurse : The Portrayal of Australian Nurses on Screen Lisa Milner , Cathy Brigden , 2014 single work criticism
— Appears in: Studies in Australasian Cinema , vol. 8 no. 2/3 2014; (p. 110-122)
'Nurses have traditionally been seen as among the most trusted of workers, with cultural connections with caring and femininity long been associated with their profession. While the portrayal of nurses in overseas screenworks has had some attention, Australian productions have not. This study identifies four categories of screenworks: popular entertainment, training and recruitment films, wartime nursing, and nurses as workers and unionists. Although more recent mainstream media portrayals of nurses increasingly depict strong, assertive professionals, little research has been conducted into the fourth category, a significant number of which are made by nurses. When nurses take on the film-making task, different outcomes are produced. New types of film about nurses and by nurses offer an evolving representation of the profession and are helping to change the identity of nurses.' (Publication abstract)
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Critic's View Debi Enker , 2010 single work review
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— Review of Sisters of War John Misto , 2010 single work film/TV
Untangling a Web of War Louise Schwartzkoff , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 11 November 2010; (p. 11)
Show of the Week Tim Elliott , 2010 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 8 November 2010; (p. 22)

— Review of Sisters of War John Misto , 2010 single work film/TV
Free to Air Christine Sams , 2010 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 14 November 2010; (p. 32)

— Review of Sisters of War John Misto , 2010 single work film/TV
Critic's View Debi Enker , 2010 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 11 November 2010; (p. 26)

— Review of Sisters of War John Misto , 2010 single work film/TV
Sisters in Arms Louise Schwartzkoff , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 8 November 2010; (p. 6)
Cryptic War Diary Yields Gritty Scripts about Captive Nurses Louise Schwartzkoff , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 13-14 November 2010; (p. 16)
In the Name of the Mission Scott Ellis , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Sun-Herald , 14 November 2010; (p. 3)
The Pursuit of Happiness Geoff Shearer , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 13 - 14 November 2010; (p. 4-5)
Nursing Inspired Role for Porter Geoff Shearer , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 13 - 14 November 2010; (p. 5)
Last amended 16 Jan 2012 11:35:44
Settings:
  • New Britain,
    c
    Papua New Guinea,
    c
    Pacific Region,
  • Yokohama, Honshu,
    c
    Japan,
    c
    East Asia, South and East Asia, Asia,
  • 1940s
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