The Lighthorsemen (1987)

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writer:

Ian Jones (writer)

Release Date:

8 April 1988 (USA)

Genre:

War | Drama

Tagline:

They did what they were told...They didn't know it was impossible

Plot:

Palestine, 1917. The British advance has been stopped by the Turkish line running from Gaza to Beersheba...

Plot Keywords:

Gaza | Regiment | Beersheba | Hospital | Bedouin

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Peter Phelps	...	Dave Mitchell
Nick Waters	...	Lighthorse Sergeant
John Larking	...	Station Master
John Heywood	...	Dave's Dad
Di O'Connor	...	Dave's Mum
Shane Briant	...	Reichert
Ralph Cotterill	...	Gen. Friedrich von Kressenstein
Bill Kerr	...	Gen. Sir Harry Chauvel
Grant Piro	...	Charlie
Tony Bonner	...	Col. Murray Bourchier
Serge Lazareff	...	Rankin
Gary Sweet	...	Frank
John Walton	...	Tas
Tim McKenzie	...	Chiller
Jon Blake	...	Scotty

Also Known As:

The Light Horse Men (International: English title) (alternative spelling)
The Light Horsemen (International: English title) (alternative spelling)
The Lighthorse Men (International: English title) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

131 min | Canada:115 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Belgium:16 (video rating) | Australia:PG | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Corryong, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Commission, The

Trivia:

Lead Actor Jon Blake was injured in a car accident near Nectar Brook, South Australia after shooting had wrapped on the last day of filming, 1 December 1986.

Quotes:

Dave: Hey, Scotty, you're not Scotch, are you?
Scotty: No.
Dave: Then, why do they call you Scotty?
[Scotty thinks]
Scotty: Cause I'm Irish.

Movie Connections:

Edited into "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles: Palestine, October 1917 (#2.21)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

AUSTRALIA WILL BE THERE

Worth every cent just to see the final battle.

I have watched this movie at least five times. Initially, I was a little disappointed by the tedium of the first half of the movie. I began to realize, however, that the first half of the movie is a pretty good reflection of military life prior to the second half of the 20th century: long periods of boredom and routine punctuated by major confrontations.

I've noticed that a few reviewers have remarked on the final "cavalry charge," which suggests to me that they really weren't paying much attention to the movie. The final charge on the Turkish positions is so much more awe-inspiring given the usual tactics of the Lighthorsemen. One of the most thrilling moments is when the Aussies prepare to meet the enemy on horseback and, instead of pulling out the classic cavalrymen's sabers, draw their bayonets for the charge. You almost want to laugh at the sight of 16" knives against the well-emplaced Turks.

This is one of the few war movies based on actual events that is fairly accurate, too. Take a look at some of the sites dedicated to the 4th Light Horse Briagde and you will see what I mean. A letter from one of the actual participants to his brother is an almost perfect description of the events as shown in the movie.

**** out of ***** if only for the charge