Gallipoli
1981, Drama, 1h 50m
45 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics 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. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Archy (Mark Lee) and Frank (Mel Gibson) are two young Australian sprinters who want to join the army to fulfill their sense of duty. Turned down because they are too young, the pair hop a freight train to Perth, where they are allowed to join up. They board a troop ship headed to Cairo and, after training in the shadows of the Great Pyramids, the boys are finally sent to the front line, where their speed makes them candidates for messengers in one of the war's bloodiest battles.
Cast & Crew
Mark Lee
Archy Hamilton
Archy Hamilton
Mel Gibson
Frank Dunne
Frank Dunne
Bill Kerr
Jack
Jack
Ron Graham
Wallace Hamilton
Wallace Hamilton
Harold Hopkins
Les McCann
Les McCann
Critic Reviews for Gallipoli
Audience Reviews for Gallipoli
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Oct 22, 2016While purported to be about the tragic military engagement that backhandedly put Australian military on the world stage, buried within is a warts-and-all homage to the land Down Under that's loves home, even while admitting that there's not much to love, that warms the hardest of hearts.Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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May 30, 2016Really dumb...takes forever to get around to the actual battle of Gallipoli, and even then, doesn't really explore it too much. This film focuses too much on running rather than WWI, which was what I wanted to see. And the ending is one of the worst I've ever seen.Stephen S Super Reviewer
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Apr 15, 2013Gallipoli 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.Alex r Super Reviewer
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Aug 05, 2011memorable war film that gave us a glimpse at what happened to our fallen soldiers. the final shot is harrowing and the journey you take with this film pays offBrendan N Super Reviewer
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