Beneath Hill 60

Year Eleven English 2B

Write an essay discussing the representation of any one of the following in an Australian film you have studied this term, cultural identity. “Beneath hill 60”

Sacrifice, larrikinism and mate ship are traits possessed by Australians, which have helped shape who we are as a nation. The movie “Beneath Hill 60”, explores the notion of cultural identities through the use of media conventions, which prompts the viewer to respond with agreement and respect. Positions the viewer to realize the importance of cultural identity and what it is to be stereotyped towards a certain country.

The variations between cultural identities shown through filmic techniques represent sacrifice through the way in which each country (Australia/British, Germany) operates as a team when fighting in the war. This is clearly evident when Captain Oliver Woodward, the main protagonist sacrifices his fellow soldier and mates life, Frank Tiffin for the greater good of his country during the final phase of the movie before it ends. Woodward had to decide whether or not he was going to detonate the TNT, which had to be done in a sequence. The fact that he decided to sacrifice his friend for his country challenges his Australian cultural values, as this is not mate ship. This is because throughout the movie the characters would stop and put themselves in life or death situations to save their friend. Although when it came to this decision, their was clearly more importance for the country than one life. The director showed this to the viewers by using a fixed close up on officer Woodward’s face for a long period of time.

During the first combat scenes in the film the main protagonist Oliver Woodward is being introduced to the officers in their dug out, especially the Australian officer William McBride who jokes around in the film with his fellow officer Woodward. “Explosive man aren’t you woody,” said McBride.
“Could blow up at any time.” At this point the director has used dialogue through the interaction of these two Australian characters to convey a sense of larrikinism that was inherent in Australian culture. William McBride has asked a question to Oliver who has confirmed it to be correct not by saying yes, but simply the fact that he didn’t disagree to the question and then made a joke about it. Here the director has represented the characters as a stereotypical Australian friends ship including what they are well know for, like jokes, making fun of others and mocking each other. Some mockery is shown also during this same scene in the officers dug out after the British officer leaves after telling office Woodward he shouldn’t be here at war. This was due to the fact that the director constructed the British to be very disciplined and focused on the job, whilst the Australians while also doing what they are suppose to joked around and laughed and made fun of people and things. Throughout the movie this is shown through their happy facial expressions and body language oppose to the British who where always stern. “Spot of tea old man,” said Woodward to McBride attempting to pull off a British ascent. “Ah bravo,” replied McBride with the same attempt. The author has positions the viewer to realize the importance of the distinction between cultural identities and what it is to be stereotyped as an Australian.

The Australians are larrikinism, strong sense of justice. Seen as the underdog coming into the war. No form of respect, they didn’t care about ranking e.g. captains and privates, they felt everyone was the same.

Sacrifice for the greater good of a country