Ken G. Hall impressed upon cameraman Damien Parer to make an opening address to this film after a meeting where Parer had advised Hall of the seriousness of the Kokoda campaign. Parer was reluctant to appear in the film at first but Hall convinced him.
This film was one of four films that won the 1942 Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Documentary. The other films were Why We Fight (1942), Moscow Strikes Back (1942) and The Battle of Midway (1942).
The first Australian film to win an Academy Award.
The 35mm film stock that cameraman 'Damien Parer (II)' used, was like short ends, and only ran for about one minute at a time.
The film frame compositions and camera angles seen in the later movie Kokoda: 39th Battalion (2006) were inspired by this film.