Gallipoli [PG]

Young Archy Hamilton is the fastest runner in Western Australia. But rather than be the next Lasalles, he’d prefer to fight in the Great War and do his part for his country. When he finally gets his chance to join, a snide co-worker of his tells the recruiting officer that Archy is only 18, not old enough to join. Archy then gets a second chance when he meets Frank Dunne, a runner from Perth, and the two form a friendship that takes them across the outback, over the Pyramids, and right into the trenches of Gallipoli. 

Peter Weir’s remarkable war epic may not have the wow-factor or even the darker humour that infuses a blockbuster war epic like Apocalypse Now, but Gallipoli still to this day holds its own and it’s more than just a period war movie: it’s a remarkable tale of comradeship, courage, and a film that beautifully depicts the folly and the waste of war. Depicting a terribly bungled campaign in 1915 that resulted in the slaughter of many Anzac soldiers, the canonicity of Gallipoli is palpable through Weir’s beautiful depiction of Australian culture, a tragic story of mateship, and the bravery of the Anzacs: a crucial chapter in our country’s history. For all the Aussie ocker characters, our grittier movies that make up our cinema’s repertoire, and the world’s fleeting fascination with Aussie culture, we can all come back to Gallipoli and appreciation for our country is sparked anew. This movie is as timeless as it is beautiful. 

Young Archy Hamilton is the fastest runner in Western Australia. But rather than be the next Lasalles, he’d prefer to fight in the Great War and do his part for his country. When he finally gets his chance to join, a snide co-worker of his tells the recruiting officer that Archy is only 18, not old enough to join. Archy then gets a second chance when he meets Frank Dunne, a runner from Perth, and the two form a friendship that takes them across the outback, over the Pyramids, and right into the trenches of Gallipoli. 

There are many layers in this movie that bulk it up into the beautiful shape that it retains through the ages. Firstly, I want to draw attention to the soundtrack. A lot of the movie’s emotional and depth comes from this brilliant score that features both melancholy classical tracks and staccato-laser-bullet-sounding electronica. The synthesised tracks that accompany our heroes’ most important runs, including Mel Gibson’s climactic final one, are just brilliant. More so, I think, because they bring a hard-hitting modern element to a period war piece and it’s an unlikely match made in heaven. We of course then get more of the impending sense of doom and gloom from the melancholy classical tracks that accompany the boat ride over, life in the trenches, and of course the climactic long wait. 

Mark Lee stars as Archy Hamilton: wide-eyed, idealistic, sensitive, and naively charming. He delivers a moving performance as a sort of tragic hero and his final shot is both horrifying and heartbreaking: Weir’s homage to a famous photo taken by Robert Capa during the Spanish Civil War. 

Mel Gibson delivers an electrifying performance as Frank Dunne: rougher and not as naïve and sensitive as Archy. He moves through this film with a certain cynical charm, but then pulls out the big guns during the final climactic scene! Gallipoli turned Hollywood’s heads towards Mel, proving that he wasn’t just an action renegade as Mad Max; he had the makings of a romantic leading man. 

Starring Bill Hunter, Bill Kerr, Harold Hopkins, Ron Graham, Charles Lathalu Yunipingli, Heath Harris, Gerda Nicholson, Robert Grubb, Tim McKenzie, David Argue, Brian Anderson, Reg Evans, Jack Giddy, and Diane Peterson, Gallipoli is a gem in Australia’s cinematic repertoire filled with action, war footage, courage, drama, comedy, and mateship. It depicts the heart of a sun-hardened country as well as reignites interest and remembrance of an important chapter in our history. This film is beautiful, iconic, and classic!