Premise
An Australian family have lost a son in action and discuss whether it was worth it. The father (Joe Valli) is a World War One veteran. One family member (Peter Finch) has returned from war service in the Air Force. Another (Grant Taylor) is in the army.Cast
* Grant Taylor * Peter Finch *Reception
''The film's appeal from this angle is anything but forceful. In an amiable discussion that lacks strength and conviction because of its generalities and cliches, an average Australian family and some of their friends from the fighting forces review the situation in Australia today. They find much to be proud of in the country's war effort, despite certain elements of complacency in the community. In the general summing up, in a much too rambling and superficial argument, "squealers", "slackers", "lounge lizards", hoarders, blackmarket operator, and the rest of their kind are found to be very small fry when weighed in the balance against those who are earnestly doing their share in the struggle for victory... ather too conscious effort.The ''Mercury'' said "the film is well produced and presented." ''Smith's Weekly'' called it "another excellent documentary for the Dept of Information" in which "refreshing candor marks the dialogue in which lack of effort by all classes of people comes in for censure. Mr. Hall's fearlessness is, In fact, to be as highly commended as his management of the film, which should certainly make the lazy minded think. Of the actors Joe Valli is the easiest and perhaps the most true to life, but Peter Finch turns in an outstanding job." ''The Daily Telegraph'' called it "ingeniously drawn, well-acted (Joe Valli is superb)... although a trifle over-dialogued, the film is the most vivid, most characteristic, of Australia's wartime shorts."
References
Australian World War II propaganda films {{WWII-documentary-film-stub