War Stories Our Mothers Never Told Us

Seven elderly women from New Zealand recall World War II in a country where not a single shot was fired. Sound dull? Guess again! The stories they tell are vivid, humorous, earthy, heartrending and laced with the wisdom and perspective that only 50 years can bring. Tightly edited and neatly interspersed with wonderful period music and rare, beautifully matched archival footage, these are the stories of: Pamela, who still radiates the joy of her first love affair, which ended in death; Flo, who defied social pressure and married an American; Tui, whose post-war reunion was bittersweet; Jean, the Maori unofficial mother to American soldiers; Rita, married to a pacifist; Neva, who lost 2 fiancés and experienced a brutal rape, and Mabel, a Maori who joined the work force with an infant at her side. A surprisingly joyful exploration of ordinary lives transformed by a catastrophic, global event--vibrantly, lovingly, and flawlessly produced--this award-winning documentary offers a valuable, unique look at a landmark period of the century. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)