Gallipoli

Rating:
Summary: Will senseless carnage ever end?
Review: Among the abundance of research material I have accumulated over the years, here is a brief commentary which is relevant to this film. I would be grateful to anyone who can identify the source. "The generals thought they could do the job in three days. Land on the Gallipoli peninsula, clear it of Turks and disable the seaward defences. With a bit of luck it could all be accomplished in 72 hours. They failed too, and at a much greater cost in lives than the naval assault. For 259 days, from April 1915 to January 1916, the allied forces hung on to their toeholds on Gallipoli. A total of about 500,000 men were landed there over the course of the campaign and almost 300,000 of them became casualties. For the Turks it was a great victory and marked the time they successfully stood against the greatest empire the world had ever seen. It threw up Mustapha Kemal, an obscure divisional commander, and propelled him on the road that would lead him to become the 'Father of the Nation.' For the Australians it would provide the sacrifice that tempered their newly-forged nation in blood. For the British it was just another fiasco in a war full of them." I also want to acknowledge Ernest Raymond's novel Tell England, (subtitled A Study In A Generation), published in Great Britain in 1922 and now out-of-print. Anthony Asquith directed an earlier film version (1931) of Raymond's novel, Battle of Gallipoli.

Directed by Peter Weir and co-starring Mel Gibson (Frank Dunne) and Mark Lee (Archy), this film first focuses on Frank and Archy's childhood and youth, then shifts its attention to Gallipoli where so many of their eager and courageous comrades perished during combat with Turkish forces. So many lost their lives, to a significant extent because they were poorly-prepared for and then poorly-led in combat. To Weir's credit, he allows the narrative to unfold without (or so it seems to me) imposing his own political opinions. Some have referred to this film as being "anti-war." They may be correct but I prefer to view Gallipoli as an indictment of morally corrupt and incompetent leaders who betray the trust of youth, waste their lives to achieve unrealistic objectives, and then wash their filthy hands in the blood of those whom they have sent to their death.

The acting is consistently outstanding but even more impressive to me is the cinematography. Credit Russell Boyd with capturing a series of images which have an impact I lack the eloquence to describe. They simply must be seen. One is of naked young soldiers swimming beneath the surface of a harbor under attack and as they struggle to escape death, the water becomes pink. (I wonder if Spielberg had that scene in mind when he planned the water-level photography during the first action sequence in Saving Private Ryan.) Weir co-authored the spare but literate screenplay with David Williamson. Well-done indeed. Those who share my high regard for this film are urged to check out All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Attack! (1956), Paths of Glory (1957), and The Big Red One and Breaker Morant (both released in 1980). The next time political and military leaders are seriously thinking about placing young men and women in harm's way, they should first be required to sit down and watch all of these films one after another...and then after taking a brief break, see them again.

Rating:
Summary: Turks
Review: I read a comment that said this was Australia's baptism of fire because the country is so young...you wanna talk about baptism of fire...Turkey didn't even exist yet, and still the Turks fought for their nation. That's true heroism.

Rating:
Summary: A Human Drama, Before A War Drama
Review: There is a subtlety and a grace to this film that is often dismissed by viewers as being "dull", now that we have witnessed the gore-and-explosion-packed MegaMovies that seem to exemplify the American war experience. This is regrettable. Because this is not an American story - it is an Australian (and New Zealander!) one. When war broke out in Europe, Australia was still a very young, very small, and quite rural country. It is by necessity, then, that this movie is actually more a human drama set against a backdrop of war. The movie introduces us to two characters - very different, but with their characteristic Australian "she'll be right" attitudes, both innately likable - and lets us watch as they move from predictable life in Australia into a world turned upside down. Through their eyes we see the situation the ANZAC troops are in go from bad, to worse, to catastrophic, until the staggering final scene hits us like a punch in the gut.

'Gallipoli' is unusual because it makes the tragedy of war immediate to the viewer. It isn't the story of thousands of nameless dead. It's the death of people you know, which makes it all the more heartbreaking.

Rating:
Summary: Great war movie
Review: Mel Gibson gives an outstanding performance. What more can I say which hasn't already been said. Awesome film about WWI. It's worth buying!

Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly cast! Long overdue on DVD
Review: Gallipoli is one of Australia's shining moments in film-making. Starring a very young Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, the film explores true mateship and the ridiculous requirements of war.

Gallipoli was filmed in 1981, and an interesting soundtrack from Jean Michael Jarre was included which really gives it an atmosphere that has made it hard to forget.

DVD Comment:
Why do classics like Gallipoli take so long to make it to DVD? Released this year on DVD in Region 1, but we are still waiting for its DVD release in Australia. Something odd with Aussie films. We are always the last to get our movies on DVD (still waiting for Picnic at Hanging Rock, yet it has been available on DVD in Region 1 for some time).

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, heartbreaking drama of British failure
Review: World War I may be far removed from many who fancy themselves devotees of films on war. Further from their thoughts still may be the battle fought at Gallipoli by the Australians and New Zealanders against the "Fuzzies" - the Turks.

As part of the British Empire, the Aussies and the Kiwis were expected to fight for honor and country, but the "Empire" was merely using them as fodder and for diversion. It was a battle that the Empire knew could not be won, but one they wanted fought all the same.

Gallipoli the film, demonstrates the ridiculousness of the British system of awarding officership to those from well-bred stock simply by virtue of their birth and not based on ability or skill. It becomes painfully obvious to even the most pedestrian of viewers that those in charge hadn't a clue how to win this battle, but were more interested in maintaining proper British custom and etiquette.

Mel Gibson (in an early role) and Mark Lee play friends/mates who learn friendship as a result of their love of running (track). Lee's character has the skill and ability to excel, but he is too young to enlist. His love of country is so strong, he forges his documents and is accepted into the army equestrian corp. Gibson joins as well, more out of loyalty to his "mate" than to country and obligation.

This drama shows the lengths to which two young men will go to defend honor, country, and friendship. While it shows one of the most realistic battle scenes shown with regard to this war, it is not a war picture.

The final scene of this film is so riveting and heartbreaking that it is impossible to view it without shedding more than a few tears. It is further impossible to view it without finding a palpable anger deep inside for those who would put in charge those who lack the fundamental skills to strategize in favor of those with station in society.

I highly recommend this film. You'll not find many films nearly as well produced, directed, portrayed, and crafted.

Rating:
Summary: One of the great Australian films
Review: Gallipoli is a significant historical event in Australia's national conscious; it is that place on the timeline that is celebrated as an experience that shaped the nation's identity. Australia came of age during the Great War, where young men were sent to a foreign land to fight an enemy they didn't know. These were the times not to question why. "There's the enemy, here's your gun, now kill them." War was something romantic in those days, but the massive carnage from this war changed this view significantly. The world was not the same after WW1. However, this was the crowning event that symbolically moved our awareness as a nation from a fledgling English colony to a country with all its unique aspects of culture. Every year Australian's travel to the shores of Gallipoli to reflect and remember our ancestors who fought so bravely and lost their lives. Despite losing these battles in such sad and devastating circumstances, this was a defining moment in our past, because these men who lost their lives became our national heroes. These men are Australia's representatives of everything this country holds dear -mateship, individuality, the anti-authoritarian attitude and courage. This extraordinary film captures the history and legend of Gallipoli and truly reflects the Australian character at the turn of the century, and some aspects of this national character remain even today.

This is one of Peter Weir's early films before he travelled to Hollywood and made his mark as a director of world renown. This is also one of Mel Gibson's early films and his performance begins to reveal hints of his future international stardom. The story is well crafted and the cinematography along with the heart-wrenching soundtrack comes together in a near perfect film.

From my recent experience, it has been a rare occasion to come away from a film feeling sad, joyful, moved and proud all at the same time. It doesn't matter how many times I see this film, these feelings continue to rise to the surface, reminding me of our follies as human beings, but also our capacity to be a do great things.

~Gallipoli~ is an outstanding film in every way.

Rating:
Summary: More accurate than you think
Review: Much has been made of an anti-British slant in this movie (see some of the reviews below).

Yes, there are anti-British sentiments in the film. But check your history. The technical adviser to the film is historian Bill Gammage. His book "The Broken Years" has the original letter used as the model for Archie's last hurried goodbye note. Gammage worked closely with script-writer David Williamson and the film is packed with actual incidents. The story IS fictional but the situations HAPPENED.

The facts are these:
* as in the film, Australian soldiers did NOT salute British officers.
* "Robinson", the officer who orders the assault to proceed - is Australian, look at his uniform!
* many accounts confirm that the British stopped to brew tea after landing unopposed at Suvla Bay.
* there is no mention of the immense British army and Royal Navy, French army and colonial Indian army casualties in the Gallipoli campaign because it's a fictional story about Frank and Archie - if the British want to make their own Gallipoli movie, they can.
* the New Zealanders also have numerous anti-British sentiments about Gallipoli. Read about the Battle of Chunuk Bair.

What this film does very well is portray, lovingly, the birth of Australia's Gallipoli myth/legend. It is replete with the stuff that Australians like to think about themselves: anti-authoritarian, mateship, take hardship without complaint, and above all else: maintain a sense of humour.

The movie was financed by Rupert Murdoch. His father, Sir Keith, was sent by the Australian Government to investigate the Gallipoli disaster. It was Keith Murdoch, as a first-hand eye witness, who complained most about the appalling generalship of the British (again, read the histories) and encouraged that the troops be withdrawn before more lives were lost.

Finally, I too am an Australian, of Australian parents, and Australian grandparents. My grandfather fought at Gallipoli.

Rating:
Summary: Not historically accurate
Review: For some years there has been a movement to make Australia a Republic and they have made it their ambition to discredit Britain with a series of movies whose historical accuracy is often questionable.
This fictional version of the WW1 battle at Gallipoli is a perfect example in it's determination to portray the British in a negative manner. British officers are openly ridiculed in the movie and portrayed as incompetent.
The film's fictional ending falsely shows a British officer being contacted about Australian troops being ordered into a suicidal rush at the enemy. Despite what another reviewer claims,this was not true and was made up by the film's writers. British officers did not have any role in ordering Australian troops.In fact it was an Australian officer that made the fateful decision.
The producers knew this but made the script change anyway.
But what is most offensive is that the film also completely ignored the huge losses that Britain suffered at Gallipolli,more than twice the number of casualties of Australian and New Zealand put together. Instead we get the statement in the film that "the British troops are just sitting on the beach having a cup of tea". Hardly relevent as Aussies also drink tea. The other poster says "that Australian troops did not salute British officers". A silly statement as no nation's troops saluted officers from another nation's army. Rarely has a film openly slandered another nation's troops the way this film does.
I am an Australian born of Australian parents so my opinion is impartial. I just don't like films that distort history.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful war movie with an anti-war message
Review: I first saw this movie as a teenager in 1981, and its images and messages have stayed with me ever since. I particularly liked it because it showed how the First World War was viewed by many young people at the time--as something of a grand adventure in which they felt fortunate to be participants, then unflinchingly showed the horrors of war, the often unnecessary deaths of the men, the waste of lives trying to breach the Turkish lines, the ineptitude of the commanders. Some people have complained about the pace of the movie, but I felt that the pace was one of its many strengths. It tells the stories of two young Australians who both happen to be excellent sprinters as they meet, become friends ("mates") and join the Australian army, albeit for entirely different reasons. The movie takes its time developing their friendship, forged on a successful Burke and Wills walk across the Outback, and eventually through training together in Egypt. The actual war does not come in until the end of the movie, but rather than seeing this as a detraction, I feel that it makes the movie all the more powerful because viewers have had a chance to see the characters develop and to come to care about them and what happens to them. By delaying the war until the end, Peter Weir is able to maximize its effect upon soldiers and viewers alike--to go from the ordinariness of life to training to the horrors that awaited them at Gallipoli. Nothing was really able to prepare them for Gallipoli, and they quickly found out that they were to be sacrificed in order to help the British troops establish a beachhead even though the British were under no duress (they were sitting on the beach drinking tea, as one officer put it). I particularly thought that the movie's graphic illustration of the realities of trench warfare was exceptionally good. It showed just how bogged down the opposing sides were,and how lives were wasted for a few feet of no-man's land. I also liked that Weir was not afraid to show that not all of the men were courageous heroes--the fear on the soldiers' faces as they realized that they were perhaps moments from death captures the essense of any war and every soldier very well, from the final letters to wives and parents, to the leaving of wedding rings, watches, and other mementos, knowing that it is unlikely that the owner will not return alive and is leaving something for the survivors to send to his family.
The leads are well portrayed by Mark Lee and a pre-Hollywood Mel Gibson. The settings, costumes, characters, and overall tone of the movie accurately represents the period in which it takes place. Peter Weir takes an honest look at Australia's (and New Zealand's) greatest contribution to the First World War, paid for with the blood and lives of thousands of young men at Gallipoli. His conclusion will leave you disturbed and thinking about war. Highly recommended.