The Lighthorsemen (1987)

Palestine, 1917. The British advance has been stopped by the Turkish line running from Gaza to Beersheba. The latest attack on Gaza has failed. The attacking forces included a regiment of ... See full summary »

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writer:

Ian Jones

Stars:

Peter Phelps, Nick Waters, John Larking

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Palestine, 1917. The British advance has been stopped by the Turkish line running from Gaza to Beersheba. The latest attack on Gaza has failed. The attacking forces included a regiment of Australian mounted infantry, the Light Horse... Lighthorseman Frank is wounded in a skirmish with Bedouin. He is replaced by a young soldier, Dave, who proves to be a crack shot, but reluctant to fire at the enemy. Dave proves himself during a German biplane attack. Recuperating in hospital, he meets a sympathetic nurse, Anne... The regiment is called upon for a bold flanking attack on Beersheba. But how do you convince the Turks the main attack will come at Gaza? And how do you attack across a desert without water?

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Plot Keywords:

gaza | beersheba | regiment | palestine | lighthorseman | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

War | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Batalha do Deserto

Filming Locations:

Corryong, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 10,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Commission, The, FGH, Film Victoria

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of actor Jon Blake.

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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.

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Connections

Edited into The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Daredevils of the Desert (1999)

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Soundtracks

"AUSTRALIA WILL BE THERE"
Music and lyrics by W.W. 'Skipper' Francis
By Arrangement with Allans Music (Australia) Pty. Limited

User Reviews

Excellent portrayal of Australian soldiers in WWI

Following the bloody debacle at Galipoli, an Aussie lighthorse brigade was given another "Mission Impossible;" they were to move across the waterless desert and attack a heavily armed Turkish post at Beersheba. These were infantry mounted on horseback and getting water was dependent on their success. Their adoption of cavalry tactics was an unexpected stroke. The final attack on Beersheba is worth the time spent watching the whole thing.