7.5/10
32,156
130 user 51 critic

Gallipoli (1981)

Two Australian sprinters face the brutal realities of war when they are sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey during World War I.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (story)
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4,376 ( 1,053)

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Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 11 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Harold Hopkins ...
Les McCann
Charles Lathalu Yunipingu ...
Zac (as Charles Yunupingu)
...
Stockman
Ron Graham ...
Wallace Hamilton
Gerda Nicolson ...
Rose Hamilton
...
...
Tim McKenzie ...
...
Brian Anderson ...
Railway Foreman
Reg Evans ...
Athletics Official 1
Jack Giddy ...
Athletics Official 2
Dane Peterson ...
Announcer
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Storyline

The story of a group of young Australian men who leave their various backgrounds behind and sign up to join the ANZACs in World War I. They are sent to Gallipoli, where they encounter the resolute Turkish army. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

From a place you never heard of...a story you'll never forget. See more »


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

28 August 1981 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Gallipoli  »

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Box Office

Budget:

AUD 2,600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$59,757, 30 August 1981, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$5,732,587
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider. See more »

Goofs

When the young Australians ride the donkeys past the two British officers under the archway, in the first shot, looking behind the officers, there are three of them. In the next shot, looking to the front of the officers as they ride past, there are suddenly four on donkeys. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Jack: What are your legs?
Archy Hamilton: Springs. Steel springs.
Jack: What are they going to do?
Archy Hamilton: Hurl me down the track.
Jack: How fast can you run?
Archy Hamilton: As fast as a leopard.
Jack: How fast are you going to run?
Archy Hamilton: As fast as a leopard!
Jack: Then let's see you do it!
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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: Brawl in the Family (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

ROSES FROM THE SOUTH
Music by Johann Strauss
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
A devastating portrayal of individuals lost as many.
29 April 2005 | by See all my reviews

All of our characters spend the entire first half of this movie developing their personalities, and letting the audience get to know them. The cast signs up for war, considering it to be just the sport that it had been in past days. Instead, all of them, with their individual phrases, look, and persona, join a cannon-fodder army which could indeed be compared to hell itself.

One of the particular themes that shows in this movie is the replacement of conventional weapons. No longer are the glory days when a man could be shot, shake hands with his foe, and call it a day. Instead, we watch many of our innocent, sporty youths run up to "fight the turks," and barely take one step before the loud rattling of a machine gun renders him mutilated beyond all recognition. Indeed, the heroes barely comprehend the concept of death, as one of the most harrowing lines states: "Barney. He's dead. He was standin' right beside me, and I- and I though' he jus' tripped and fell. Y'know, B-barney's like that. He's- He...Was always clumsy."

Another is the use of your allies and soldiers as cannon fodder. To supposedly "let the British advance into the peninsula," the Australian troops, including our youths, are forced to run directly into the no-mans' land, being shredded into kindling while their superiors question their ability as soldiers. "Why aren't we advancing?" "But sir, all of our men, they barely get out of the holes and they die!" "I don't care. We won't win until we advance. The fight must go on."

A movie that easily sheds tears (well, I cried), Gallipoli is not necessarily a film to enjoy, but instead to reveal the dark side of the "modernized" Western World.


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