‘Inspired By Actual Events’ Movie Blending World War II History, Gargantuan Shark Looks Like Absolute Smash Hit

The HMAS Armidale corvette cast off from Australian North Territory capital city Darwin in 1942 for East Timor’s Betano Bay, being in charge of the evacuations of Australian and Dutch soldiers who were stranded. Portuguese civilians were also a part of the evacuations, and in the process, they had a replacement platoon to drop off.

The Armidale was attacked Dec. 1 by Japanese bombers, who sank the corvette and killed the majority of people onboard. Out of the 149 men who were on the ship, only 49 survived the attacks from Japan, the elements of the waters and the gargantuan sharks that swim in Timor Sea. (RELATED: Critically Endangered Shark Meat Sold In Stores Across United States, Study Says)

That’s what “Beast of War,” the new film from Australian writer-director Kiah Roache-Turner, is about as it blends World War II history and a classic Jaws x Open Water theme. The movie is a total of 87 minutes and is “inspired by actual events.”

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In the film, seven men cling themselves onto a makeshift raft for survival, with the star of the movie being Mark Coles Smith as he plays Private Leo. Some of the soldiers are Des (Sam Delich), Teddy (Lee Tiger Halley) and Will (Joel Nankervis).

While Japanese fighter planes fly above, a massive great white shark is swimming below, and the soldiers are instantly forced into a journey of survival when they’re put into the waters by the Axis power.

“Beast of War” features a 20-foot-long mechanical shark similar to Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” which was constructed by Formation Effects, an animatronic effects outfit based in Australia.

The movie was released Oct. 10 in the United States, and is available for purchase on multiple streaming services such as YouTube.