NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Gallipoli (1981 film)

Gallipoli is a 1981 Australian film, directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson, about several young men from rural Western Australia who enlist in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War. They are sent to Turkey, where they take part in the Battle of Gallipoli. During the course of the movie, the young men slowly lose their innocence about the nature of war. The climax of the movie occurs on the Anzac battlefield at Gallipoli and depicts the ill-fated attack at the Nek on the morning of the 7 August 1915 by the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ISO 4217 Code AUD User(s) Australia, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Norfolk Island Inflation 3. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Film is a term that encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. ... Peter Lindsay Weir (born August 21, 1944) is an Australian film director. ... Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson AO (born January 3, 1956) is an American born Australian actor, director, and producer. ... Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 15 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05) - Product ($m) $100,900 (4th) - Product per capita $50,355/person (3rd) Population (December 2006) - Population 2,050,900 (4th) - Density 0. ... The First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from August 15, 1914, following Britains declaration of war on Germany. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Combatants British Empire Australia India Newfoundland New Zealand United Kingdom France Ottoman Empire German Empire Commanders Sir Ian Hamilton Otto von Sanders Mustafa Kemal AtatÃ¼rk Strength 5 divisions (initial) 14 divisions (final) [] 6 divisions [] Casualties 150,000 [] 250,000 [] The Battle of Gallipoli took place at Gallipoli from April... An ANZAC soldier gives water to a wounded Turk The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (popularly abbreviated as ANZAC) was originally an army corps of Australian and New Zealand troops who fought in World War I at Gallipoli, in the Middle East and on the Western Front. ... Gallipoli peninsula (Turkish: , Greek: ) is located in Turkish Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles straits to the east. ... Combatants Australia Ottoman Empire Commanders Col. ... August 7 is the 219th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (220th in leap years), with 146 days remaining. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The Australian Light Horse in Palestine during World War I The Australian Light Horse soldiers were mounted infantry who served during the Boer War and World War I. The Light Horse differed from cavalry in that they usually fought dismounted, using their horses as transport to the battlefield and as...

Gallipoli provides a faithful portrayal of life in rural Australia in the 1910s — reminiscent of Weir's 1975 film Picnic at Hanging Rock set in 1900 — and captures the ideals and character of the Australians who joined up to fight, and the conditions they endured on the battlefield. It does, however, modify events for dramatic purposes. // Caitlin wants nathans penis mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Picnic at Hanging Rock is the title of a 1967 novel by Australian author Joan Lindsay, and the 1975 film adaptation directed by Peter Weir. ... 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar, but a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. ... Battlefield may refer to: the location of a battle, the Battlefield televised documentary series, shown on the Discovery Channel, which explores battles of World War 2, the Battlefield Vietnam televised documentary series, shown on the Military Channel, which gives detail explanations of Vietnam War, (1945-1975), battles. ...

Gallipoli was mainly filmed in Australia with some location work done at the Pyramids of Giza near Cairo which is where the AIF trained. Locations include Lake Torrens, a dry salt lake; Yallunda Flat, a scenic country sporting venue; and the coastline near Port Lincoln, which is used for the scenes at Anzac Cove. The Giza pyramid field, viewed from the southwest. ... Nickname: Al Qahirah (The Triumphant City) Cairos location in Egypt Coordinates: Governor Dr. Abdul Azim Wazir Area - City 210 kmÂ² - Metro 1,492 kmÂ² Population (2005) - City 7,438,376 - Density 35,420/kmÂ² - Urban 10,834,495 - Metro 15,200,000 Time zone EET (UTC+2) - Summer (DST... Lake Torrens National Park in South Australia (Australia), is located 431 km north of Adelaide. ... A salt lake or saline lake is a landlocked body of water which has a concentration of salts (mostly sodium chloride) and other minerals significantly higher than most lakes (often defined as at least 3,000 milligrams of salt per liter). ... Port Lincoln (postcode 5606) is a small city of 15,000 people in the Australian state of South Australia. ... Anzac Cove looking towards Ari Burnu, 1915. ...

The screenplay is by David Williamson and original music was provided by Australian composer Brian May (who had also scored Mad Max). However the most striking feature of the soundtrack was the use of excerpts from Oxygene by French electronic music pioneer Jean Michel Jarre. Quiet or sombre moments at Gallipoli, and the closing credits, feature the Adagio in G minor by Tomaso Albinoni. Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... A composer is a person who writes music. ... Mad Max is an Australian apocalyptic science fiction action film from 1979 directed by George Miller and written by Miller and Byron Kennedy. ... Oxygene is an album of instrumental electronic music composed and produced by Jean Michel Jarre, and released in 1976 (see 1976 in music) on Disques Dreyfus, licensed to Polydor. ... Electronic music is a term for music created using electronic devices. ... Jean-Michel AndrÃ© Jarre (born August 24, 1948 in Lyon, France) is a French composer, performer and music producer. ... Adagio in G minor is a piece arranged by Remo Giazotto based on the fragments of a Sonata in G minor, composed by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni for strings and organ, which were found amongst the ruins of the old Saxon State Library, Dresden, which was firebombed by the Allies during... Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (June 8, 1671, Venice, Italy â€“ January 17, 1751, Venice) was an Italian baroque composer. ...

The film was produced by R&R Films, a production company owned by Robert Stigwood and media proprietor Rupert Murdoch whose father, Keith Murdoch, was a journalist during the First World War who had visited Gallipoli briefly in September 1915 and became an influential agitator against the conduct of the campaign by the British. A film producer creates the conditions for making movies. ... Robert Stigwood (born April 16, 1934 in Adelaide, Australia) is an Australian-born entertainment entrepreneur. ... A media proprietor is a person who controls, either through personal ownership or a dominant position in a public company, a significant part of the mass media. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Keith and Elisabeth Murdoch with Rupert Murdoch and one of his sisters in 1937, departing Melbourne by sea for Britain Sir Keith Arthur Murdoch (August 12, 1886 - October 4, 1952) was an Australian journalist and the father of Rupert Murdoch. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ...

Due to the popularity of the Gallipoli battlefields as a tourist destination, the film is shown each night in a number of hostels and hotels in Eceabat and Çanakkale on the Dardanelles. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Dariush Grand Hotel,Kish island, Iran The 4-star Manor House Hotel at Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England. ... Eceabat is a district of Ã‡anakkale Province, Turkey. ... Image:Canakkale Yat Liman. ... Map of the Dardanelles The Dardanelles (Turkish: Ã‡anakkale BoÄŸazÄ±, Greek: Î”Î±ÏÎ´Î±Î½ÎÎ»Î»Î¹Î±, Dardanellia), formerly known as the Hellespont (Greek: EÎ»Î»Î®ÏƒÏ€Î¿Î½Ï„Î¿Ï‚, Hellespontos), is a narrow strait in northwestern Turkey connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. ...

Plot and Overview

Gallipoli is roughly divided into three parts; the first third is set in Western Australia in May 1915 as the first news of the Gallipoli landings is published, the second third is set in Egypt and the final third at Gallipoli — battle only occupies the final minutes of the film. 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Generally, a battle is an instance of combat in warfare between two or more parties wherein each group will seek to defeat the others. ...

A sub-text of the film is of "war as a game" and the two main characters, Archie Hamilton (played by Mark Lee) and Frank Dunne (Mel Gibson), meet at an athletics carnival. Both are sprinters and the numerous running sequences in the film are set to Jarre's Oxygene. Archie Hamilton's athlete character was inspired by a line from C.E.W. Bean's Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918 describing Private Wilfred Harper of the 10th Light Horse during the attack at the Nek: This article needs to be wikified. ... Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson AO (born January 3, 1956) is an American born Australian actor, director, and producer. ... A womens 400 metre hurdles race on a typical outdoor red rubber track. ... Sprints are races in athletics. ... Oxygene is an album of instrumental electronic music composed and produced by Jean Michel Jarre, and released in 1976 (see 1976 in music) on Disques Dreyfus, licensed to Polydor. ... portrait by George Lambert, 1924. ... The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918 is a 12-volume series covering Australian involvement in the First World War. ... A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... The Australian 10th Light Horse Regiment is a regiment of the Australian Army. ...

Archie is an idealistic 18-year old stockman keen to join up even though he is under age. He is trained by his uncle Jack (played by Bill Kerr) and idolises Harry Lasalles, the world champion over 100 yards — when choosing a false name to enlist under, he calls himself "Archie Lasalles". Jack makes Archie recite a mantra before he runs: Bill Kerr (born 1922) is an Australian film and television actor. ... This article is about the unit of measure known as the yard. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ...

Frank is a railway labourer of Irish descent with no interest in fighting for the British. However bonds of "mateship" make him try for the light horse with Archie and, when he fails because he cannot ride, he joins the infantry with three of his mates, Billy, Barney and Snowy. Many of the motivations that compelled young men to join up appear; the propaganda associated with German atrocities in Belgium, the sense of adventure, the attraction of a smart uniform and the pressure from society to "do your bit". The Australian Light Horse in Palestine during World War I The Australian Light Horse soldiers were mounted infantry who served during the Second Boer War and World War I. The Light Horse differed from cavalry in that they usually fought dismounted, using their horses as transport to the battlefield and... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... An Australian anti-conscription propaganda poster from World War One U.S. propaganda poster, which warns against civilians sharing information on troop movements (National Archives) The much-imitated 1914 Lord Kitchener Wants You! poster Brochure of the Peoples Temple, portraying cult leader Jim Jones as the loving father of the...

In Egypt, Frank and his mates are encamped near the Pyramids and spend their free time in Cairo, drinking, being ripped off by merchants and visiting brothels. In a game of Australian Rules Football played beneath the Pyramids, screenwriter David Williamson appears in an uncredited cameo role as the Victorian "lofty bastard" who Frank tells Billy to target. During a shambolic training exercise, Frank and Archie meet once again and Frank is able to transfer to the light horse because they are now being sent to the Gallipoli peninsula as infantry. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Nickname: Al Qahirah (The Triumphant City) Cairos location in Egypt Coordinates: Governor Dr. Abdul Azim Wazir Area - City 210 kmÂ² - Metro 1,492 kmÂ² Population (2005) - City 7,438,376 - Density 35,420/kmÂ² - Urban 10,834,495 - Metro 15,200,000 Time zone EET (UTC+2) - Summer (DST... A brothel, also known as a bordello or whorehouse, is an establishment specifically dedicated to prostitution. ... The Big Men Fly - high marking is a key skill and spectator attribute of Aussie Rules Precise field and goal kicking using the oval shaped ball is the most important skill in Aussie Rules Footy Australian rules football, also known as Australian football, Aussie rules, or simply football or footy... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Since its first use in 1851, a cameo role or cameo appearance has been a brief appearance in a play (or later, a movie) that stands out against the general context for its éclat or dramatic punch. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th) - Land 227,416 km² - Water 10,213 km² (4. ...

Frank and Archie arrive at Anzac Cove and endure the hardships and boredom of the trench warfare that prevailed for much of the campaign. Frank's infantry mates fight in the Battle of Lone Pine on the evening of 6 August — the fighting is implied but not depicted. Billy seems shellshocked and tells Frank what happened to the others: Barney was shot and killed while running alongside Billy, and Snowy is in a hospital, but in such bad condition that he is not being given any food or drink. His last request to Frank is that his diary be sent to his parents. The following morning Archie and Frank take part in the charge at the Nek which is to act as a diversion in support of the British landing at Suvla. Frank is made a runner for the regiment commander, Major Barton (played by Bill Hunter). Anzac Cove looking towards Ari Burnu, 1915. ... Trench warfare is a form of war in which both opposing armies have static lines of defense. ... Combatants Australia Ottoman Empire Commanders Harold Walker Unknown Strength 1 division Unknown Casualties 2,300 6,000 The Battle of Lone Pine, which took place during the Gallipoli campaign, was the only successful Australian attack against the Turkish trenches within the original perimeter of the ANZAC battlefield, and yet it... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... The landing at Suvla Bay was an amphibious landing made at Suvla on the Aegean coast of Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey as part of the August Offensive, the final British attempt to break the deadlock of the Battle of Gallipoli. ... Bill Hunter (born February 27, 1940) is one of Australias acting legends, having worked with almost every notable Australian director and actor of the last thirty years - evidence of his genuine popularity amongst the public and acting fraternity alike. ...

The 8th and 10th Light Horse attack in three waves across a narrow stretch of exposed ground defended by machine guns. The first wave is timed to go at the end of an artillery bombardment; however failure to synchronise watches means the bombardment ends seven minutes early. Nevertheless, the brigade's commander, Colonel Robinson, insists the attack proceed; the first wave goes over the top and is cut down. Right before the second wave goes over, Archie sees that an old rival of his, Les, is about to go over (in a scene early in the movie Archie agreed to a bet by Zac, an Aborigine friend, and raced barefoot against Les riding a horse without a saddle. Archie won because Les fell, but his feet were injured.) with the second wave. Archie calls his name, but Les does not respond. He is obviously despondent and hopeless. The second wave goes over, and Les is one of the first shot. Major Barton wants to halt the attack. Lieutenant Gray (Peter Ford) claims to have heard someone state that they saw marker flags. Robinson, remote in his dugout gets a garbled message that marker flags, used to signal to friendly artillery, have been seen in the Turkish trenches, before shellfire cuts the phone lines. Barton gives Frank a message to carry to brigade HQ but when he arrives, Robinson insists the attack continue. A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... Artillery with Gabion fortification Cannons on display at Fort Point Continental Artillery crew from the American Revolution Firing of an 18-pound gun, Louis-Philippe Crepin, (1772 â€“ 1851) A forge-welded Iron Cannon in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. ... In military science a brigade is a military unit that is part of a division and includes regiments (where that level exists), or (in modern armies) is composed of several battalions (typically two to four) and directly attached supporting units. ... Look up aborigine in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Frank returns to Barton and suggests he go over Robinson's head to the division commander, General Gardiner, an Australian. Frank runs to the beach and Gardiner's headquarters. The general, hearing that at Suvla "the officers are sitting on the beach drinking cups of tea", gives Frank the message that he is "reconsidering the whole situation", effectively cancelling the attack. As Frank sprints back, the phone lines are fixed and Robinson tells Barton to push on. Before going over the top, Archie repeats his mantra. Archie and the rest of the third wave go over the top. Frank arrives only seconds before the men are sent over. The final frame freezes on Archie being gunned down in an image that evokes Robert Capa's famous photograph, Death of a Loyalist Soldier, Spain, 1936. Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... Robert Capa (Budapest, October 22, 1913 â€“ May 25, 1954) was a famous war photographer during the 20th century. ...

Criticism

Gallipoli is a fairly faithful depiction of conditions and events. The notable deviation of the film from reality, and the one for which it has been criticised, is its portrayal of the chain of command at the Nek. Although he is seen wearing an AIF uniform, Colonel Robinson is often mistaken for an Englishman due to his accent. Colonel Robinson's character equates to the brigade-major of the 3rd Brigade, Colonel J.M. Antill, an Australian Boer War veteran. So it was in fact an Australian, not a Englishman, who gave the order to persist with the attack. Nor was there a benevolent Australian general to call off the attack; it ended when all the waves had gone. Other critics have pointed out that the Australian attack at the Nek was a diversion for the New Zealanders' attack on Sari Bair, not the British landing at Suvla. The British were therefore not 'drinking tea on the beach' while Australians died for them. Moreover a British regiment in fact suffered very heavy losses trying to support the Australian attack at Nek once it was realised that the offensive was in trouble. The inherent Anglophobia of the film is also seen during a scene in Egypt in which British officers are represented as haughty and disparaging of the Australians. No evidence for any such disdain on the part of British commanders for their Australian troops actually exists. ^[1] John MacQuarie Antill, CB, CMG (26 January 1866 â€“ 1 March 1937) was an Australian Army Major General in World War I. Antill is best known for rejection a request for an end to the attack at The Nek during the Gallipoli Campaign. ... Combatants United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Canada Cape Colony Orange Free State South African Republic Commanders Redvers Buller Frederick Roberts Herbert Kitchener Paul Kruger Martinus Steyn Louis Botha Christiaan de Wet Casualties 22,000 6,500 Civilians killed [mainly Boers]: 24,000+ The Second Boer War, commonly referred to as...

References

Contents

Plot and Overview

Criticism

References

See also

External links