Gallipoli (1981)
TOMATOMETER
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AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Peter Weir's devastating anti-war film features a low-key but emotionally wrenching performance from Mel Gibson as a young soldier fighting in one of World War I's most deadly and horrifying battles.
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Cast
as Frank Dunne
as Wallace Hamilton
as Archy
as Maj. Barton
as Les McCann
as Jack
as Snowy
as Billy
as Sniper
as Col. Robinson
as Barney
as Dan Dunne
as Lieutenant Gray
as Official
as Railway Foreman
as Waitress
as Announcer
as N.C.O. at Ball
as Billy Snakeskin
as Rose Hamilton
as Gen. Gardner
as Egyptian Shopkeeper
as Sgt. Sayers
as Camel Driver
as Sgt. Major
as Stockman
as Col. White
as Zac
as Official
as Recruiting Officer
as Laura
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Critic Reviews for Gallipoli
All Critics (25) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (3) | DVD (7)
Well acted and, within its limited terms, well made, Gallipoli represents a failure of nerve as well as design.
The central section devoted to training in Egypt sags badly through its crass buddy antics and its crude caricatures of wogs and pommies.
Weir's work has a delicacy, gentleness, even wispiness that would seem not well suited to the subject. And yet his film has an uncommon beauty, warmth, and immediacy, and a touch of the mysterious, too.
Is not just a war film, it aims to be much more than a personal self-improvement story. [Full review in Spanish]
Set in 1915, Weir's excellent anti-war film centers on the disastrous battle of Gallipoli, featuring an excellent performance by Mel Gibson as a young fleet-footed soldier
... deflated the romantic notions of glory under fire to show the reality of Gallipoli and mourn the men who gave up their lives for a war they had no stake in.
Audience Reviews for Gallipoli
A strong, character-building exercise amongst the backdrop of WWI and the battle of Gallipoli in Turkey, and how two young men (Mark Lee, Mel Gibson), both sprinters, become good friends in their journey to help serve in the Australian army. A buddy film for most its entirety, when it makes the hard shift over to the difficult decisions and circumstances these two characters face, we care about them and if they will survive it all. Both Lee and Gibson are excellent in their respected roles, and the film's cinematography makes for quite a different setting for war to take place in. The last scene of the movie is utterly heart-wrenching, complete with a lasting image of anti-war imagery that will stick in your mind for a long time.
Super Reviewer
Gallipoli is a superbly crafted war drama from director Peter Weir. Weir assembles a fine cast of talented actors who all give stunning performances. Gallipoli shows the chaos of the war and tells a compelling and engaging story. This is quite a different war film, and in many ways it succeeds at delivering an experience that we've never seen in the genre. The film is very well done, but lacks in accuracy. I feel that they should have done research a bit more while they were writing the script, as the accuracy of this failed campaign would surely have made this one of the definitive WWI films. As it stands this is a brilliant piece of work that could have been improved upon, but is nonetheless a well structured picture that shows the price of war. Mel Gibson is great here and you can clearly see his craft as an actor developing further with Gallipoli. The film focuses more on the cost of war than on effective action, and it pulls it off very well. Although not the definitive classic of WWI, it is one of the few films that are actually worth seeing on the subject. The acting is wonderful, and the plot is engaging from beginning to end. What makes this film stand out is the fact that is fairly subtle, yet convincing in showing the costs and chaos of war. The film will surely delight history buffs and war film buffs alike. If you want a terrific drama war film, then give this one a shot. The accuracy like I said is questionable, but it may spark an interest in the subject, which I believe is always a good thing. This is a strong effort from director Peter Weir and it is a powerful picture despite its imperfections.
Super Reviewer
Fantastic Australian story of two champion runners who volunteer as soldiers in 1915 to see the worlds. The result is thrilling and amusing, thanks to the script from playwright David Williamson. Themes of mateship, sports and class warfare cleverly thread the glorious landscape shots. Really sad for losing one of soldiers through the shoot-out war at the ending.
Super Reviewer
Gallipoli Quotes
| Maj. Barton: | All right men... we're going. But I want you to remember who you are. You are the 10th Light Horse! Men from Western Australia. Don't forget it. Good luck. |