Press release from AAP
Beneath Hill 60 starring Brendan Cowell, directed by actor/director Jeremy Sims, written by David Roach and produced by Bill Leimbach – will commence production in far north Queensland today for seven weeks.
This never-before told Australian story is set in 1916, when Queensland miner Oliver Woodward, under-trained and having never faced hostile fire before, finds himself on the Western Front, the bloodiest battlefield in history.
Beneath Hill 60 will be filmed entirely on location, where replica trenches have been created to bring this battle story to life. Along side Brendan Cowell (Noise, Love My Way) in the lead role of Captain Oliver Woodward are other stars of our screens, including actors Gyton Grantley (Underbelly), Harrison Gilbertson (Accidents Happen), Steve Le Marquand (Kokoda), Bella Heathcote (Acolytes, Neighbours), Anthony Hayes (The Square, Suburban Mayhem), Aden Young (Black Robe, Mao’s Last Dancer), Leon Ford (Katoomba, The Aftermath), John Stanton (Mission: Impossible, Through My
Eyes), Bob Franklin (Macbeth, The Extra), Warwick Young (Wolverine, The Battle of Long Tan).
The film is based on the writings of Captain Oliver Woodward the Queensland tunneller whose heroic efforts contributed to the drama and the success of the campaign and won him the Military Cross. It will shed light on this untold story of the Australian miners with a finely tuned dramatic script and some of Australia’s best actors, working in underground sets built in association with the mining community of North Queensland.
Mike Selwyn, Managing Director, Paramount Pictures Australia said: "We are delighted to be working with Jeremy, Bill and the team and our partners at Transmission to release this amazing true story of courage and triumph."
Beneath Hill 60 is due for theatrical release April 2010.