GALLIPOLI (1981)

[Nathan Dodge]

Remember this movie? It was released around the time as CHARIOTS OF FIRE and featured use of synthesized music (Jean Michel Jarre) It was directed by Peter Weir. It starred Mel Gibson and Mark Lee (whatever became of him???) and the film was about their friendship and their eventual fate at the battle of Gallipoli during WWI. This film haunted me as a child (it made the rounds on HBO with alarming frequency) and it's the movie that made me interested in World War I, as well. I liked the fact that the movie took time to show the friendship between the characters and the horror of that campaign. The score IIRC consisted mainly of classical music and was used effectively. Haven't seen Gallipoli in a few years, but my recent reading on WWI got me thinking about this one again. Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[David Conwill]

I remember it, but only vaguely. I think I saw it when I was 11 or 12. I remember it leaving me kind of depressed - but that's WWI for you.

-Dave

 

[BellyTank]

I went to Gallipoli- lovely place and a good Museum.
Film was OK.


B
T

 

[dr greg]

the NEK

The movie is really about the Battle of THE NEK as a metaphor for the whole campaign, and that was one of the most tragic/heroic incidents in any war anywhere, a shocking tale in fact. That's what was both moving and depressing about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Nek

 

[Mojito]

A grim day indeed. I had thought at one time that my great uncle Frank might have been there as he was with the Light Horse, but he was 1st Light Horse brigade and it was the 3rd Light Horse brigade, comprised of Victorians, South Australians and Western Australians at The Nek. My grandfather almost joined up with the light horse as well (he was a gifted rider). However, because his brother was with the light horse, he joined the infantry with the 6th Regiment 2nd Batallion 1st Division, later transferred to the 2nd Machine Gun.

His service records are interesting - they indicate he joined his regiment on 6 August 1915, the day of Lone Pine (family tradition has it that he fought at the battle of Lone Pine). This was the day before The Nek, and is referred to in the movie when Mel Gibson's finds out what happens to his mates. They had fought at Lone Pine, and had been almost all wiped out, if I recall the scene. My grandfather was wounded on 10 August, shot or caught by shrapnel in the face (it had been a fluke shot - they got him through a small aperture he was firing through. His mates had to finally drag him away because the blood was streaming down his face, but he was so enraged he wouldn't budge).

The movie always had a great emotional resonance for our family as it did for many Australians - my parents attended the New York premiere, and they were very moved, as was I when I finally saw it. I remember an incident with a movie club we formed in High School with my history teacher, in which movies were shown that depicted historical events that we discussed afterwards. When we watched Gallipoli the only sound to be heard in the room was stifled sobs, and a couple of students asking the teacher not to turn the lights back on until they'd had a chance to compose themselves - and this was at an American international school in Singapore, with only one or two Aussies in the club.

In more recent years I have rather ambivalent feelings about some aspects of it, particularly in its treatment of the British and other allied forces. The British soldiers were as much a victim of poor decision making at high levels as the Australian troops, and they suffered terribly as well. I'd have to watch it again, but - even given that this is told from the Australian perspective - one does rather get the impression that it was exclusively an Australian tragedy. I don't think even the New Zealanders got much of a look in, although I could be wrong on that. The specific climactic battle did indeed largely involve Australians (although two companies of Royal Welch Fusiliers and 8th Batallion Cheshires were sent in as well to support and suffered some losses).

 

[Nathan Dodge]

Mojito: Wow! I've read that the battle is a source of pride (and sorrow) for Australians and reading your family's connection to this is indeed fascinating.

While watching GALLIPOLI, I felt the same sense of helplessness as the troops and the film did an excellent job in conveying the tragedy of Victorian mindsets coupled with brutal modern technology and battle tactics. WWI gets none of the "Good Press" like WWII because the former cannot be glamourized.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we should get too fond of it."

Robert E. Lee

 

[ADHD librarian]

we can't have this thread without quoting Atatürk (commander of the Turkish 19th Infantry Division. Faced the ANZACs during the Gallipoli campaign and later first President of Turkey).

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours... You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

 

[David Conwill]

That brought a tear to my eye.

-Dave

 

[tuppence]

Great Grandfather

Yep my great grandfather was there.(Watson) and lived.
My daughter had to study the movie at school about six years ago.
The movie was o.k for 1981. I think Private Ryan put a new edge to war movies that make earlier movies seem very superficial.

 

[Godfrey]

The movie still gets to me. My great-grandfather served from 1914 and was wounded twice in France - eventually getting a 'blighty' and being invalided back to Australia after being gassed and machine gunned. He left an artistic young man and returned bitter and prematurely old. The movie reflects the echo of the war through Australian society to this day - I cant see it without shedding a tear. Its a bit dated - but after the first 20 mins I'm right back to when I first saw it.

I always think its interesting that Australians see Gallipoli as the beginning of our war 'record' when we were in the Sudan (arrived late) and Boer war (had more family there too). We even had a bit of a special guest appearance in the American civil war when there was a bit of an incident over the "Shenandoah" . Still like the idea of Confederate Marines marching up Collins St playing Dixie!

 

[Nathan Dodge]

Everything is "dated" in at least some aspect, as every work of art is a reflection of the time in which it was made. Saving Private Ryan is already dated with its late-1990s use of steady cam, muted film stock and color, adherence to the simplistic Brokaw "Greatest Generation" belief. Dated as heck, IMO.

 

[cookie]

A grim day indeed. I had thought at one time that my great uncle Frank might have been there as he was with the Light Horse, but he was 1st Light Horse brigade and it was the 3rd Light Horse brigade, comprised of Victorians, South Australians and Western Australians at The Nek. My grandfather almost joined up with the light horse as well (he was a gifted rider). However, because his brother was with the light horse, he joined the infantry with the 6th Regiment 2nd Batallion 1st Division, later transferred to the 2nd Machine Gun.

His service records are interesting - they indicate he joined his regiment on 6 August 1915, the day of Lone Pine (family tradition has it that he fought at the battle of Lone Pine). This was the day before The Nek, and is referred to in the movie when Mel Gibson's finds out what happens to his mates. They had fought at Lone Pine, and had been almost all wiped out, if I recall the scene. My grandfather was wounded on 10 August, shot or caught by shrapnel in the face (it had been a fluke shot - they got him through a small aperture he was firing through. His mates had to finally drag him away because the blood was streaming down his face, but he was so enraged he wouldn't budge).

The movie always had a great emotional resonance for our family as it did for many Australians - my parents attended the New York premiere, and they were very moved, as was I when I finally saw it. I remember an incident with a movie club we formed in High School with my history teacher, in which movies were shown that depicted historical events that we discussed afterwards. When we watched Gallipoli the only sound to be heard in the room was stifled sobs, and a couple of students asking the teacher not to turn the lights back on until they'd had a chance to compose themselves - and this was at an American international school in Singapore, with only one or two Aussies in the club.

In more recent years I have rather ambivalent feelings about some aspects of it, particularly in its treatment of the British and other allied forces. The British soldiers were as much a victim of poor decision making at high levels as the Australian troops, and they suffered terribly as well. I'd have to watch it again, but - even given that this is told from the Australian perspective - one does rather get the impression that it was exclusively an Australian tragedy. I don't think even the New Zealanders got much of a look in, although I could be wrong on that. The specific climactic battle did indeed largely involve Australians (although two companies of Royal Welch Fusiliers and 8th Batallion Cheshires were sent in as well to support and suffered some losses).

Mojito great anecdote ! My grandfather (maternal) Private James Henry Boots was wounded at Lone Pine and invalided out of the War. He was already 45 years old and faked his birth certificate to go. 44 was the top age for enlistment. He then was the first veteran from the War to get life membership of the St George Bowling Club and played first grade cricket into his 50s...died in 1957 when they finally took the leg off that had been wounded at Lone Pine. Then they fitted a prosthetic leg for him and he decided to walk from the Lady Davidson Homes at Turramurra to Bobbin Head and collapsed half way on the way back Needless to say he died not long after...they don't make them like that any more!

 

[Mojito]

Wonder if they ran into each other, Cookie? Your grandfather must have been a remarkable man - Perhaps being invalided out at that point actually saved his life. My grandfather went on to be wounded several more times, and I wonder if the fact he was out of action for longer periods meant he ultimately survived. I had a maternal g-grandfather who adjusted his age to go to the Boer War, then went another round in WWI.

Do you know if Boots was one of the "originals" or if he was, like my grandfather Ted and the men in the movie, a reinforcement?

Here they are in Egypt en route to Gallipoli - he's back row, second from left, with his hand on his knee. Apparently his expression is fairly typical - my father characterises it as "right, you b******ds, I'll take you..."

Don't know how many men in this photo survived the war. We've often thought about it.

 

[DutchIndo]

Great Movie ! I remember seeing the Ads in the paper trying to figure out the picture. It starred a young Mel Gibson before he hit the big time. I appreciate the final scene because if you have ever been that scared you can identify. To look at the guy next to you and him at you knowing he'll go because you will really comes across.

 

[tuppence]

Conditions

Everything is "dated" in at least some aspect, as every work of art is a reflection of the time in which it was made. Saving Private Ryan is already dated with its late-1990s use of steady cam, muted film stock and color, adherence to the simplistic Brokaw "Greatest Generation" belief. Dated as heck, IMO.

I'm really not talking about it being dated in that sense. I think Gallipoli was a little light on showing the conditions that these men had to fight under. I think it is because I am more interested in the nitty gritty such as these men not even having enough drinking water.

 

[Nathan Dodge]

I'm really not talking about it being dated in that sense. I think Gallipoli was a little light on showing the conditions that these men had to fight under. I think it is because I am more interested in the nitty gritty such as these men not even having enough drinking water.

You're right. For another example of "light on realism", take a look at those squeaky-clean trenches in Kubrick's PATHS OF GLORY. That film, like GALLIPOLI excell more in the character elements and inflexibility of the high command during war, but actually suffer (no pun intended) when it comes down to showing how bad war is. You'll read interviws with directors saying how they had to hold back on realism because no one would really believe how awful the conditions were/are.