When We Go to War is a 2015 television drama miniseries from New Zealand directed by Peter Burger. The series uses fictional characters to depict the impact of the First World War on New Zealanders at home as well as in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the Gallipoli Campaign and in Egypt. The series premiered in 2015, the centenary year of the Gallipoli campaign, with its first two episodes aired together during the ANZAC day holiday weekend.[1]

When We Go to War
Genre
Created by
Written byGavin Strawhan
Briar Grace-Smith
Rachel Lang
Directed byPeter Burger
Starring
ComposerTom McLeod
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes6
Production
Producers
  • Robin Scholes
  • Gavin Strawhan
CinematographyDJ Stipsen
EditorEric de Beus
Production companyJump Film & TV
Original release
Network
Release26 April (2015-April-26) –
24 May 2015 (2015-May-24)

Production

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The six one-hour episodes were commissioned and broadcast by TVNZ. Each episode is framed around a letter written by one of six young men and women, who, in 1914 on the eve of World War I, are full of plans and dreams.[2][3][4] Studio filming was undertaken at Studio West in West Auckland.[5]

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateN.Z. viewers
(millions) [6]
1"Bea's Letter"Peter BurgerGavin Strawhan26 April 2015 (2015-04-26)314,820
2"Manaaki's Letter"Peter BurgerBriar Grace-Smith, Rachel Lang and Gavin Strawhan26 April 2015 (2015-04-26)314,820
3"Harry's Letter"Peter BurgerGavin Strawhan, Briar Grace-Smith and Rachel Lang3 May 2015 (2015-05-03)305,820
4"Awa's Letter"Peter BurgerRachel Lang10 May 2015 (2015-05-10)273,310
5"Charles' Letter"Peter BurgerGavin Strawhan17 May 2015 (2015-05-17)267,450
6"Cissy's Letter"Peter BurgerRachel Lang24 May 2015 (2015-05-24)284,840

References

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  1. ^ Baillie, Russell. "TV review: When We Go To War's debut episode". NZ Herald. NZME. Publishing Limited. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Illuminate - When We Go To War". Auckland War Memorial Museum. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  3. ^ Roberts, Sarah. "Gallipoli drama to screen". Manukau Courier. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  4. ^ Drinnan, John. "Media freedom under fire". New Zealand Herald. NZME. Publishing Limited. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  5. ^ "Our Story". Studio West. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Ratings archives". Throng. Throng Ltd. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
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