Watch The Day of the Roses

The Day of the Roses is a compelling dramatization of the real-life 1978 Granville Train Disaster that shook Sydney, Australia. Directed by Peter Andrikidis, the movie stars Rebecca Gibney as journalist Kate Mallory, Paul Mercurio as train driver Bob Duffield, and Stephen Curry as young passenger Jim Mitchell. The film explores the events leading up to the disaster and its aftermath, as well as the impact it had on the survivors and those directly involved.

The movie begins with the everyday lives of Bob, Kate, and Jim, as they go about their routine activities. Bob, a seasoned train driver, is preparing for his next shift, while Kate, an ambitious journalist, is eager to break a big story. Jim, a young apprentice, is running late for work and catches the fateful train by chance. As the train sets off, we get a glimpse of the diverse group of passengers on board, from the elderly to the young, from the working class to the wealthy.

Just as the train approaches Granville station, disaster strikes. A section of the overhead bridge collapses onto the train, causing the carriages to derail and crush each other. The movie captures the chaos and horror of the accident, as passengers are trapped and injured, and emergency services scramble to rescue them. Bob, who is trapped in the driver's cabin, tries to radio for help, but is unable to due to the damage caused by the collapse. Meanwhile, Kate, who had been at the station interviewing commuters, rushes to the site of the disaster and starts reporting on it.

The Day of the Roses then delves into the aftermath of the disaster, as the survivors and their families struggle to come to terms with what happened. Bob, who is hailed as a hero for sticking to his post and trying to save lives, is haunted by the trauma of the incident and copes with it by drinking heavily. Kate, on the other hand, is determined to get to the bottom of what caused the collapse, and uncovers evidence of negligence and corruption on the part of the railway authorities.

As the investigation moves forward, Jim, who was injured in the crash, becomes a key witness, revealing the details of what he saw and heard before the collapse. The movie shows the emotional toll the disaster takes on Jim, as he struggles to deal with the guilt of surviving and the trauma of losing his friend and mentor. The Day of the Roses also highlights the resilience and solidarity of the affected community, as they come together to support each other and demand justice.

Overall, The Day of the Roses is a powerful and moving portrayal of a tragic event that had a profound impact on the people of Sydney. The movie's strong performances, particularly by Gibney, Mercurio, and Curry, bring to life the human stories behind the disaster, and its realistic portrayal of the accident and its aftermath make it a must-watch for anyone interested in Australian history and true crime.