Last week, Prime Video released its newest Australian Original in the form of The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
When the journey begins, we are transported to World War Two and the Australian soldiers of the 7th Regiment, led by Dorrigo Evans (Jacob Elordi), and consisting of First Nations man Frank (Thomas Weatherall), Tiny (David Howell), Rabbit (William Lodder), and joker Jack Rainbow (Christian Byers).
The crew are forced to work on the Burma railway, a tough task made even more gruelling thanks to violent Colonel Masaki Kota (Taki Abe) and Major Tenji Nakamura (Shô Kasamatsu), the latter of whom develops a sort of friendship with Dorrigo.
The story follows Dorrigo before, during and after the war. Before the war, Dorrigo meets Ella (Olivia DeJonge) from a well-to-do family. The two quickly become engaged when his path also crossed with the alluring Amy (Odessa Young), the wife of his uncle Keith (Simon Baker). It’s this fleeting affair that sustains Dorrigo during the war.
Post-war Dorrigo (now played by Ciarán Hinds) has married Ella (Heather Mitchell) but is also having an affair with Lynette (Essie Davis), the wife of his colleague Rick (Dan Wyllie). Bu the scars of war loom large.
In the hands of Shaun Grant, Narrow Road to the Deep North offers a complete story in just five episodes. There’s the atrocities or war, a complex protagonist, and a touch of light relief when things get dark.
Elordi is at his best here as Dorrigo traverses life and it all has in store, with Hinds continuing the compelling viewing as Dorrigo ages on the other side of the war. Young is also captivating, as are all the key cast.
Harsh and brutal, The Narrow Road to the Deep North is one of the best series of the year, with a timely release near Anzac Day to make it an even more poignant watch.
5 Stars
Narrow Road to the Deep North is now streaming on Prime Video.
