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:

Peter Weir

Writers:

Peter Weir (story), David Williamson (screenplay),

Stars:

Mark Lee, Bill Kerr, Harold Hopkins

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 11 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Lee	...	Archy Hamilton
Bill Kerr	...	Jack
Harold Hopkins	...	Les McCann
Charles Lathalu Yunipingu	...	Zac (as Charles Yunupingu)
Heath Harris	...	Stockman
Ron Graham	...	Wallace Hamilton
Gerda Nicolson	...	Rose Hamilton
Mel Gibson	...	Frank Dunne
Robert Grubb	...	Billy
Tim McKenzie	...	Barney
David Argue	...	Snowy
Brian Anderson	...	Railway Foreman
Reg Evans	...	Athletics Official 1
Jack Giddy	...	Athletics Official 2
Dane Peterson	...	Announcer

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 might of the Turkish army.

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Plot Keywords:

horse | gallipoli | peninsula | australia | army | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Galipolje

Filming Locations:

Adelaide Railway Station, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 2,600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Commission, The, R & R Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Due to the popularity of the Gallipoli battlefields as a tourist destination, this film is shown nightly in a number of hostels and hotels in several towns on the peninsula.

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Goofs

In the pub scene when they are about to leave for Gallipoli there are flags on the wall of the Allies - France, Britain, and Australia. There is also a flag of the United States. The battle of Gallipoli occurred in 1915, but the United States did not enter the war until April 6, 1917. It was neutral in 1915, and traded with both the Allied and Central Powers.

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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

Featured in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005)

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Soundtracks

"OXYGENE"
Written by Jean-Michel Jarre
Polygram Records

User Reviews

Why "War on Terror" is an impossible contradiction

A lesson still sadly unlearned by today's great "Empire" - this film builds perfectly to show that war IS terror. In 1915, as today, it is not the ruling elites that ultimately face that terror, but everyday people full of precious dreams and yet-to-be-fulfilled promise. "Gallipoli" follows the adventure of two Australian mates fighting for the British Empire in a badly-managed attack in Turkey during WW1. The deckchairs have been somewhat rearranged these days, but the message is as relevant, as chilling and as powerful as ever. A true classic.