Gallipoli

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: I still remember the first time I saw this movie on HBO. I was a little kid. I will never forget this movie, especially the ending. Anyone interested in the First World War should watch this film. Without giving too much away, this movie is in three parts. Young Archie and Mel Gibson in Australia, the funtime that was the army in peacetime, and the third and final act: the horror of trench warfare. Forget reading All Quiet, this should be the standard for WWI. As a teacher I have shown this film every year I have taught. This is a must see.

Rating:
Summary: A good cinematic experience
Review: There's been a few things said about this movie, several reviewers mentioned that it was slow-moving, and another pointed out with exasperating pedantry the historical inaccuracies, but I'd like to say that I think 'Gallipoli' is a good movie. It was well shot and well acted, the characters were real and believeable, the score was magnificient, the story was inspiring, and although the script had less action than, say, 'Saving Private Ryan' it also wasn't wasteful - one wouldn't have cared about the people if one didn't know them.

Which is also the point. If 'Gallipoli' wasn't historically accurate, and it's tough to represent a yearlong epic in an hour and a half, one does get the point. Which, of course, is that wars, especially this one, and especially this battle, are stupid, self-serving and pointlessly destructive endeavors.

I'm dumbfounded by the reviewer who chose to lambaste the portrayal of the British officers in the campaign. I'm surprised an Aussie would say that, but then again there're plenty of Yanks who'll second guess Harry S Truman from now till the end of time, so who am I to judge. While I'm the first to admit that those words were probably not said, I have to believe that the blue blood of the capital officers taught them not to give a damn about the sweat and blood of some poor sons-of-criminals from a lost colony. I'm not alone, and I quote from John Merriman's History of Modern Europe, p1059, "Other [historians] agree with most contemporaries who believed that [Gallipoli] was a needless diversion dictated by British colonial interests in the Middle East and for which Australian and New Zealander troops paid a disproportionate price."

The aristocratic attitude of the officers in the Great War was the single thing that caused the casualty rates The well-bred officers didn't care that they were sending men with bolt-action rifles against entrenched machine guns because they were just peasants (or Australians) anyway. That is the historical truth, and I for one like how it came out in the training sequence as well as the battle sequences of this movie. It belongs in the collection of anybody who doesn't want to go to war.

Rating:
Summary: Rent It First
Review: This is a rather slow-paced movie - the characters' pre-war background life and military training take up the majority of the movie. Mel Gibson himself doesn't show up until about 15 or 20 minutes into the picture, so if you're watching for Mel, be patient. Probably those reviewers who went on and on (and on) about the historical accuracy, real or imagined slights to British honor, casualty rates, etc., should have remembered most people aren't watching this movie for a history lesson. I think, if you haven't seen this movie before, you would be better off renting it before you buy. Just because I found it boring (and I'm a WWI historical buff) doesn't mean you won't find it moving.

Rating:
Summary: Australia's coming of age
Review: This movie is superb. In response to the commentary below, England may have lost more men than the ANZACs, but it is also true that proportionally more Australians and New Zealanders per head of population were lost than any other country involved in the war. ANZAC day has more meaning to many Australians than Australia day. If you had ever been present at the dawn service @ Gallipoli itself or at any of the war memorials throughout the country or at the Cenotaph in Sydney, you would agree. I am Australian, of Australian parents and my great grandfather served @ Galipoli. To denigrate those who died there is to denigrate Australia and the point at which it is generally regarded Australia became a nation. This movie is not a celebration of war. It is a celebration of those who fought and serves to demonstrate that war is ultimately a foolish waste of life. Mel Gibson's acting is very strong and the soundtrack is in parts haunting. This movie is a must see for Australians in particular and others in general.

Rating:
Summary: Gallipoli-False History.
Review: The Australian movie Gallipoli has a false and slanderous ending.No British officer ever ordered Australian troops to commit a suicidal dash against the Turks.This is false history.The movie's statement that quote-"the British troops are relaxing on the beach"unquote while Australian troops were dying is particularly slanderous when you consider that Britain lost more than twice as many troops at Gallipoli as Australia and New Zealand combined.Gallipoli continued the chip-on-the-shoulder mentality of Australian filmakers against Britain.I am Australian born to Australian parents so my opinion is impartial.

Rating:
Summary: one of the great films of the last two decades
Review: Gallipoli is a film I have seen many times. As a youngster, its haunting images and soundtrack left a real impression on me. Now, as a teacher of history I often discuss the film with my pupils and it usually leaves a profound effect on each new class. It is quite simply an outstanding film in all respects. The character development is painstaking and makes the climactic battle scenes at the end all the more intense. Gibson, even at this early stage of his career, is brilliant displaying a wonderful sensitivity in the character of Frank. The cinematography, from the Australian and Egyptian deserts to the beaches at Gallipoli is breathtaking. It is both an entertaining and an important film that reminds us of a campaign that might otherwise have been long forgotten.

Rating:
Summary: Pity Most Americans don't Understand the History of Galipoli
Review: Being Australian and having learned the significance (futility) of the battles fought along the Gallipoli coast I realise more than most. What this movie explores is the relationship between australia and Britain (the Empire) and how Australians and New Zealanders were slaughtered to create a "diversion" for the English landings. It gives you a small understanding of how WW1 was fought and how remote the so caller "Leaders" were from reality. The concept of "MATES" is touched on through the friendship of the two main characters. This concept of self sacrifice for ones friend (mate) is something that sets Australians apart. Peter Weir (Australian) has captured this aspect well. Do not look for a war movie or an adventure. This movie is part of Australia's sole searching at the misdeeds and abuses inflicted upon us by our so called Empirial masters. As Americans have veterans day, Australians have ANZAC day (two days actually). This experience is more than a simple war for Australians, it is a coming of age.

Rating:
Summary: peter wiere's sophitiscated and greatest movie
Review: i'm a korean students who study the movie. and i'm very excited in australian movie. this movie has a very unique style which has none of other war movie. specialized choosed music which is composed by jan michel jarr progressive keyboardist is very unique and active . dramatic and houmorous and very young movie. if you're tired of hollywood explosive movie, i want to recommand this. very pure and young and impressive time you'will get.

Rating:
Summary: Great war movie: a whirlwind of emotions.
Review: Gallipoli is the story that follows Archie, an up and coming track star in Australia. He sees propaganda in the newspapers that convinces him, (in his eyes) to be a man and join the army. He meets another runner named Frank, and they form a great friendship. Archie convinces Frank to join up and they find each other in Egypt during basic training. They are sent to Gallipoli and made to fight a useless battle against the German-allied Turks. Archie was asked to be a runner, which would have spared his life, but he knew how scared Frank was and showed great generosity and unselfishness by giving that opportunity to Frank. The movie ends with Frank coming back with the command to stop fighting. He then hears the command from the front to go over the top. Archie goes over and is killed in the final scene, with Frank still running to tell the commander to stop sending the troops. I really liked this movie because of it's emotional impact. It is difficult to get choked up at the end.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful story!
Review: GALLIPOLI recreated the imfamous World War I battle between the ANZACS and the German-Allied Turks. It was interesting to see how Australia was involved in the war effort. The film follows the events that surround two attractive young soldiers. The film accurately portrays the horrors of this battle, when hundreds of Australian soldiers are ordered to go "over the top", only to be massacred by the Turks. Be sure to have a Kleenex ready for the ending of this incredible movie.