A Love StoryInspired
by Real Lives
Set against the turmoil of World War II and the years that followed, Because of the War tells the story of Claire Goddard and Peter Thomas, two young Australians whose promise of everlasting love is tested by distance, duty and the unpredictable turns of fate. As Peter leaves Queensland to fight in North Africa and New Guinea, Claire's world changes dramatically. Taking up a role driving for the American Army in wartime Brisbane, she finds herself caught between loyalty to the man she loves and an unexpected friendship with a grieving American officer, Colonel Graham Falker. Across battlefields, military hospitals, cattle stations and continents, lives become intertwined and hearts are tested by choices no one could have foreseen. Spanning more than a decade, Because of the War is an epic romance about devotion, sacrifice and the enduring power of love in a world transformed by conflict. Inspired by true events and the experiences of the filmmaker's own parents, the story captures a generation whose courage, resilience and commitment shaped the lives of those who followed.
Meet Sally Elliot
It was back in the 1970s when Sally Elliot's determination to build a career in the film industry first took hold. But where to begin? Arriving at the Burbank studio lot in California, Sally approached the gate of what would later become Warner Bros. and asked if there were any jobs available. The answer was no. Undeterred, she was told that Columbia Pictures had openings, so she headed there instead and immediately secured a position as secretary to one of the Vice Presidents in charge of production. Her career soon progressed when she became Production Secretary to George Swink at Irwin Allen Productions. Under Swink's mentorship, Sally learned every aspect of filmmaking and production management, gaining the practical knowledge that would shape her future career. Years later, Sally established her own company, Fandango Productions, where she began writing, producing and directing her own projects. Today, she remains deeply involved in every stage of production, sourcing locations, coordinating cast and crew, overseeing costumes, and managing the countless details required to bring a film to life. After decades in the industry, Sally set out to fulfil a lifelong dream: creating her own feature film. When traditional funding avenues repeatedly rejected her projects, she refused to let the dream die. Instead, she made her first film with virtually no budget, relying on the passion and generosity of cast and crew who believed in the project. For Because of the War, Sally has once again taken the independent path, spending more than two years filming on weekends, working around the availability of volunteers and a small paid crew, while building an ambitious wartime romance on a fraction of the budget most productions would require. Because of the War is a story about love, loyalty and sacrifice during wartime. But behind the camera, it is also the story of one woman's determination to never give up on a dream she first pursued more than fifty years ago. As Sally reflects: "I never stopped asking questions in those early days. I wanted to know everything, and I was so lucky to have the opportunity to learn. In the end though, if it wasn't for the lady at the Warner Bros gate, or Mr George Swink, I doubt I would be where I am today."
Filming Across Queensland
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Why This Story Matters
Growing up in Queensland, Sally listened to stories told by her parents about wartime Australia — stories of separation, uncertainty, sacrifice and enduring love. Those memories remained with her for decades and eventually became the inspiration for the screenplay.
Many of the characters and events portrayed in the film are drawn from real experiences, creating a story that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
In an era of instant communication, Because of the War reminds us what it meant to wait months for a letter, to live with uncertainty, and to keep faith in promises made before war changed everything.
