The long awaited mini TV series, 'The Pacific' was screened for the first time on Australian television last night when Part One of ten parts was broadcast on Channel 7.  And boy, what a 2 hour cracker of a start !  

It's reckoned that Australian tourism is set to benefit from HBO’s production as dramatic coastlines, vast expanses of beach, dense rainforest and arid outback provide a rich and romantic cinematic landscape for this epic 10-part mini-series.   Executive produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, The Pacific is a multi-million dollar production filmed on location in the tropical north mainly at Rocky Point just north of Port Douglas.

Managing Director of Australian Muster Experience and Five Star Venues and owner of the land where the mini-series was filmed, Gordon Pringle said he was honoured to make his slice of paradise available to film crews and cast members for the duration of the eight month shoot.

“Not only does this production effectively showcase the beauty of the region to millions of viewers, worldwide, it also highlights the diversity of the area to future production companies looking for spectacular locations.  On a personal level, I am confident The Pacific will greatly enhance our efforts in marketing the destination.”

In an excerpt from correspondence with Pringle following the wrap up of production for The Pacific, co-Executive Producer/Writer, Bruce C. McKenna exclaimed “What a surprise! I was just talking about your property to a reporter the other day.  We chose it because it had everything we needed – especially the expanse of beach.  It was close enough to town to get crews in and out, but far enough away that we weren’t going to keep the entire ‘coast’ up at night.“

The series tracks the intertwined real-life stories of three US Marines – Robert Leckie, John Basilone, and Eugene Sledge – across the vast canvas of the Pacific rim during World War 11.  It follows these men and their fellow marines from the first battle with the Japanese on Guadalcanal, through the rainforests of Cape Gloucester and the strongholds of Peleliu, across the bloody sands of Iwo Jima and through the horror of Okinawa, and finally to their triumphant but uneasy return home after V-Day.

The Pacific is based in part on the books “Helmet for My Pillow” by Robert Leckie and “With the Old Breed” by Eugene B. Sledge, with additional material from “Red Blood, Black Sand” by Chuck Tatum and “China Marine” by Eugene B. Sledge, as well as the original interviews by the filmmakers.

The Pacific has already started airing in the US to great acclaim, achieving in the vicinity of 9 million views for its first four episodes. 

Mr Pringle said his land has since received further attention with Mount Mulligan currently being considered by a new international production company planning to film the history of far north Queensland’s gold rush.

Editors Comments: I'm sure our local tourism bodies have picked up on this and will start interstate and international campaigns to promote our region as the home of 'The Pacific' just like the New Zealand  'Lord of The Rings' production lot was promoted where the blockbuster trilogy was filmed.  I believe the 'Lord of the Rings' site is still a great destination magnet to holidaymakers even after 10 years since the original release of the movie.