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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
****DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS****
"Gallipoli" made in 1981 is an Australian film directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, all natives of that country. The film is set during the First World War and the title refers to the peninsula of the same name located on the Aegean coast of The Dardenelles in Turkey. It was in this area that between the 25th April 1915 when it was captured, to the 19th December 1915 when it was evacuated, that many ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) soldiers fought and died. The climax to this film is at the brutal battle of "The Nek", which was a terrible killing field for the ANZACs.
The film concerns two young men from rural Western Australia who become close friends whilst competing against each other in a sprint at an athletics meeting. Mel Gibson, looking strangely youthful plays the cynical Frank Dunne whilst Mark Lee portrays the innocent and idealistic Archy Hamilton. Swayed by propaganda which was rife at the time they enlist to fight for their Countrys cause, although many recruits had never heard of the places involved in the conflict. Archy is considerably more enthusiastic about the idea than Frank.
They are then shipped out for training in Egypt where the soldiers indulge in a bit of good natured "Pommy bashing". Well it is an Australian film, so that is "Fair Dinkum". Thrashing us at cricket with monotonous regularity does not seem to appease their appetite for this genial sport! In all too short a time they are transported to the harsh realities of trench warfare in Gallipoli. Having trained with the Light Horse this bloody stalemate is not what they expected and they see the senseless slaughter first hand as their ranks are decimated. At the films ending we see the company go over the top into the face of the Turkish guns. Archie sprints ahead of the others using his great speed. He has no weapon and the camera freezes as he is struck by a hail of machine gun bullets. Frank who has been used as a runner just fails to get back in time with the order to stop the attack.
The film has many impressive scenes. I particularly liked the scene where Major Barton played by Bill Hunter plays his favourite opera piece the night before before the attack. The final scenes are particularly poignant. I was reminded of the scene from perhaps the greatest anti war film of all time "Paths of Glory"(57) where Kirk Douglas is about to lead his men over the top in a doomed attack. All so indescribably sad.
It is vital for us all to remember that 46,000 allied soldiers died and there were 265,000 casualties in the campaign, and it is very likely the Turkish losses were greater. This film is a fitting tribute to all those brave young men who gave their lives in the hell that was Gallipoli. Highly recommended viewing.
"Gallipoli" made in 1981 is an Australian film directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, all natives of that country. The film is set during the First World War and the title refers to the peninsula of the same name located on the Aegean coast of The Dardenelles in Turkey. It was in this area that between the 25th April 1915 when it was captured, to the 19th December 1915 when it was evacuated, that many ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) soldiers fought and died. The climax to this film is at the brutal battle of "The Nek", which was a terrible killing field for the ANZACs.
The film concerns two young men from rural Western Australia who become close friends whilst competing against each other in a sprint at an athletics meeting. Mel Gibson, looking strangely youthful plays the cynical Frank Dunne whilst Mark Lee portrays the innocent and idealistic Archy Hamilton. Swayed by propaganda which was rife at the time they enlist to fight for their Countrys cause, although many recruits had never heard of the places involved in the conflict. Archy is considerably more enthusiastic about the idea than Frank.
They are then shipped out for training in Egypt where the soldiers indulge in a bit of good natured "Pommy bashing". Well it is an Australian film, so that is "Fair Dinkum". Thrashing us at cricket with monotonous regularity does not seem to appease their appetite for this genial sport! In all too short a time they are transported to the harsh realities of trench warfare in Gallipoli. Having trained with the Light Horse this bloody stalemate is not what they expected and they see the senseless slaughter first hand as their ranks are decimated. At the films ending we see the company go over the top into the face of the Turkish guns. Archie sprints ahead of the others using his great speed. He has no weapon and the camera freezes as he is struck by a hail of machine gun bullets. Frank who has been used as a runner just fails to get back in time with the order to stop the attack.
The film has many impressive scenes. I particularly liked the scene where Major Barton played by Bill Hunter plays his favourite opera piece the night before before the attack. The final scenes are particularly poignant. I was reminded of the scene from perhaps the greatest anti war film of all time "Paths of Glory"(57) where Kirk Douglas is about to lead his men over the top in a doomed attack. All so indescribably sad.
It is vital for us all to remember that 46,000 allied soldiers died and there were 265,000 casualties in the campaign, and it is very likely the Turkish losses were greater. This film is a fitting tribute to all those brave young men who gave their lives in the hell that was Gallipoli. Highly recommended viewing.
Format:DVD
I bought this on a friends recommendation and like one of the other reviewers, cannot stop watching it! The ending is so poignant, it gives me a lump in my throat everytime. Watching the friendship between Gibson and Lee develop amidst beautiful photography is a joy. One thing I would add. The film was made in 1981 and so I was unsure how well the quality would look on dvd. In fact it is crystal clear, certainly as good a quality as any modernday film might look. The film is well acted and I do wonder why Mark Lee isn't a bigger star than he is.
For the very low price I paid for this film, well worth buying and a very worthy addition to anyones collection.
For the very low price I paid for this film, well worth buying and a very worthy addition to anyones collection.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
WW1 homework
Having watched this myself a number of years ago, thought it my provide a little more background for some school homework about WW1. Read more
Published 4 months ago by gtucker66
collection and cheaper
It's a classical film which affect a generaion and a story about early 20 centries in World War I. English empire has been weak and many young Austriallian dead in Turky's war. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. L. Zhou
great!
one of australias greatest films.all war movies should be anti-war,and this is one of the best.a personal,sad,movie that highlights mateship,and shows how the young can be... Read more
Published 5 months ago by wayne mca
Anti War
One of the best Anti War films of the 20th century, it shows the futility of war and how Australia and New Zealand lost a whole generation of young men due to the stupidity of... Read more
Published 6 months ago by JFUT. Galipoli
Gripping Gallipoli
I first saw this film when it originally came out and thought it was very well done. I recently bought it for my husband as we missed it on TV and he'd said he'd like to see it... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Susan
Watch this film
I first saw this film 15 years ago and thought that I had glorified it in my mind..... not so. It is a wonderful but tragic tale of coming of age during World War 1 and being... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Moley
The tragedy of war.
Peter Wier's Gallipoli (1981) is visually stunning and deeply moving. A simple story of 'modern' warfare that was as brutal and wasteful of young lives as any medieval battle. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Chris Mougne
sadTh
This film is sad, makes you think though about the waste and loss of life, and how stupid "some people" could be. It is so worth seeing again and again.
Published 18 months ago by Ann
Unconvincing
Having recently visited the Gallipoli peninsular I was looking forward to filling out my understanding of the doomed invasion. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. H. D. Perry
Great Movie
A great movie which showed the stupidity of some of those in charge in WW1.
Published on 24 April 2010 by John Macdonald
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