Where's Darwin?

Not Charles, the author of 'Survival of the Fittest' genetic studies. This isn't about the "intelligent design" debate.

This is about Darwin, Northern Territories, Australia, focal historical point of the movie "Australia", just released on DVD. It is fictionally based on the February 19, 1942 Japanese bombing of that town, which in the hearts and minds of Aussies is their WW2 'Pearl Harbor'. Rent it and gain a generous insight into the psyche of an earlier Australian era.

It's an Aussie party: past and present screen stars contributed heartily to make this epoch the memorable effort it deserves to be. Jack Thompson isn't familiar to American audiences at large, but is rightfully given a minor, highly visible role. Bryan Brown, much more recognizable (and much grayer), is greatly cast in an elder role of prominence. And the "Now" generation of Aussie Hollywood stars, leads Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman are flawless and believable.
Forget Kidman and Tom Cruise; and X-Man Jackman. When in Hollywood, they do as directed. When in Oz, they act as if they aren't acting.

Having had the privilege to live and work in Australia for 2 years, I had access to how Australia views politics, their history, their heroes, their place in the world, their values, etc. In all, a common perception emerges: that of the 'Aussie Battler'. Forget about odds, battle on, give it your best go. This spirit requires courage, often bravery (just talk about Gallipoli to an Aussie), and refreshingly, humility. Success is not as important as having 'battled on'.

In 1942, our world was much smaller. News traveled much slower and imagination figured much more prominently in grasping 'the news'. The screenwriter for the movie 'Australia' incorporated the showing of the movie 'Wizard of Oz' to an awestruck Darwin audience in 1942. Oz is a faraway land somewhere over the rainbow in much the same way as Australia had been to the rest of the world. And for the oldest indigenous race on earth, the Aborigines, who pass down their 'stories' orally, the young character finds the "Rainbow Song" a particularly good story.

Today's world is often changing in ways that we don't understand, with integrity, compassion, and altruism lacking. For a breath of fresh look at how they keep pace 'Down Under'. I have often heard Aussies and non-Aussies refer to Australia as 'Oz'. Maybe it IS more abound the enchantment than the similarity in sound between 'Aussie' and 'Oz'. Having been there, I am guessing the former. Stan