In 1942 Wellington, Daisy Edwards, 16 and pregnant, relies totally on her just-wed husband, Ed, who is little older than she. Ed is suddenly drafted into the army and is to be sent overseas to battle while Daisy is sent to her father in Auckland. When Ed's leave is cancelled at the last minute he takes the dangerous decision to go absent without leave to be with Daisy on her journey home. As a deserter, Ed is hunted, captured and imprisoned. Life inside is bad enought without the worry of what is going on outside. The film is based upon a true story.
Unfortunately the movie Absent Without Leave is not yet available on HBO Max.
| Directing | John Laing | Director |
| Writing | James Edwards | Screenplay |
| Writing | Graeme Tetley | Screenplay |
| Camera | Allen Guilford | Director of Photography |
| Sound | Don McGlashan | Original Music Composer |
| Art | Rick Kofoed | Production Design |
| Editing | Paul Sutorius | Editor |
| Art | Danny Black | Art Direction |
| Costume & Make-Up | Glenis Foster | Costume Design |
| Production | Jan Haynes | Production Manager |
| Production | Robin Laing | Producer |
