Tomorrow When The War Began review

Tomorrow When The War Began originally started off as a book but was then made into a movie. It is the first book in the series Tomorrow by John Marsden.

Published Date: 1993 (Aus)
Publisher: Quercus (UK)
Pages: 284
Series: Tomorrow (Book 1)
Recommended to: Young adult/teenagers
Genres: Action/adventure

Basically the book is written first person, from the point of view of Ellie. Ellie and group of teenagers decide to go on a camping trip out of town and hidden away in the bush. Although food becomes scarce and a couple of secret crushes everything goes to plan. It is only when they return home that they find their homes have been abandoned with no sign of their families. Before long they realise that their whole country has be invaded and the entire town has been captured including their families and friends. Ellie, her friends and a couple of survivors then face a tough decision; escape back to the mountains where they are assured safety, surrender or they can fight back.

Release date: 2010 (initial release)

Director: Stuart Beattie

Genre: Adventure

Rating: 6.2/10

Based on: Tomorrow When The War Began book by John Marsden

Starring: Caitlin Stasey, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Lincoln Lewis, Deniz Akdeniz, Phoebe Tonkin, Chris Pang, Ashleigh Cummings, Andy Ryan, Colin Friels

The movie was only recently released, compared to when the book was released. The movie is pretty much the same as the book except a couple mistakes like when Ellie and her friends go back to town they use push bikes to travel so it doesn’t make as much noise but in the movie they use motor bikes.

Personally I like the book better because it expressed more detail and depth especially in Ellie, Marsden did a good job with her as a character. The way he captures her fear, courage and confusion. The book takes its time developing the characters and the complications that come with teenage relationship, whereas the film focuses mainly on the action.