Gallipoli
From a place you've never heard of, comes a story you'll never forget.
Mel Gibson delivers an electrifying performance in director Peter Weir's compelling story of friendship and adventure between two Australian soldiers in 1915. They cross continents and great oceans, climb the pyramids and walk through the ancient sands of Egypt to join their regiment at the fateful battle of Gallipoli. The echoes of history blend with the friends' compelling destiny as they become part of a legendary World War I confrontation between Australia and the German allied Turks - a battle that is to Australians what the Alamo is to Americans.
Member Reviews
Not Great For Me - Squish
The campaign in Gallipoli, Turkey began in April 1915 and lasted 10 months. The British, including the Australians, and the French planned to capture Istanbul and knock Turkey out of the war. History tells us that the campaign failed. Peter Weir's "Gallipoli", being the story of two Australian athletes who 'join up', is a tale of two lives at their peak of their potential, friendship during strife, and the rest of that bla bla bla.
Yes, kiddies, you can find Mel Gibson before the big time, before the Apolcalypto, before the Tom Cruise-grade madness, as an actor who doesn't have top billing, Mel Gibson before he completed 10 films and not one of them was an American production, you know, the early years! And yes, you'll find in our headliner, Mark Lee, and the rest of the cast to all be a bunch of right good actors. You'll find beautiful scenes shot in Australian deserts, wonderful Egyptian city streets and pyramids... but you'll also find a script you've heard a dozen times before. You'll see two men bonding a friendship, you'll find them going to war and War is Hell, and a futile waste of life and you'll tick off each completed formula as every predictable scene is delivered with just enough twist to keep it Australian. In short, "Gallipoli" is the kind of movie for people who love World War I movies that aren't actually about world War I. It's for fans of friendship films that don't involve coming of age while having the added bonus of being a period piece, being Foreign and being a quality production overall, and having a dramatic ending. And for this critic everything about it is fine... not recommended, but fine.Gallipoli - RogerDaniels
Peter Weir is a brilliant director. He consistently makes fascinating, thought-provoking and beautiful films with fully realized, human characters. "Gallipoli" is no exception to this, being the wonderful World War I film that introduced the world to the talent of Mel Gibson. Weir starts his story quietly in the Australian outback, taking his time to introduce us to the characters. By letting us become attached to the characters over the first two acts of film, the impact of the third act, the titular assault at Gallipoli, becomes all the more devastating. "Gallipoli" is a beautifully shot film, capturing the beauty of everything from the Australian outback to the Egyptian pyramids to the overhanging cliffs of Gallipoli. The acting is stellar, constantly endearing us to Archie Hamilton (Mark Lee) and Frank Dunne (Mel Gibson), and allowing us to experience their many facets. The final scene complete with the ending freeze frame is extremely powerful. "Gallipoli" is ultimately a mini-epic, for its stakes are high and its story overarching, but its running time is short and its focus is limited. In the era of pre-"Saving Private Ryan" war films, "Gallipoli" is one of the best.Excellent - somme1916
This is an excellent example of a movie that looks at the bonds of freindship between men in an era where expressing such bonds was taboo. The war was expanding in Europe and as was the case in many British colonies (including former colonies) the call to arms was met with such intensity many lied to go.
The war is actually a secondary aspect of the story, and if you are looking for a war movie full of action thsi is not it.
If you are looking for a story that includes self sacrifice for your freinds than this is the movie for you!
Member Reviews
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Not Great For Me - Squish
The campaign in Gallipoli, Turkey began in April 1915 and lasted 10 months. The British, including the Australians, and the French planned to capture Istanbul and knock Turkey out of the war. History tells us that the campaign failed. Peter Weir's "Gallipoli", ...Gallipoli - RogerDaniels
Peter Weir is a brilliant director. He consistently makes fascinating, thought-provoking and beautiful films with fully realized, human characters. "Gallipoli" is no exception to this, being the wonderful World War I film that introduced the world to the talent ...Excellent - somme1916
This is an excellent example of a movie that looks at the bonds of freindship between men in an era where expressing such bonds was taboo. The war was expanding in Europe and as was the case in many British colonies (including former colonies) the call to ...