The Lighthorsemen (1987)

In 1917 when the British forces are bogged down in front of the Turkish and German lines in Palestine they rely on the Australian light horse regiment to break the deadlock.

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:

soldier | world war one | desert | epic | year 1917 | 

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Taglines:

The fall of an empire... The birth of a legend... A true epic of Triumph, Courage and Adventure

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

South Australian Film Corporation Umbrella Entertainment - Blu Ray

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jinetes de leyenda

Filming Locations:

Outback, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 10,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$23,645, 10 April 1988, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

FGH,Film Victoria,International Film Management

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was cut by seventeen minutes for release in overseas markets outside of Australia.

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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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Alternate Versions

This film was cut by seventeen minutes for release in various overseas markets outside of Australia.

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Connections

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

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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

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