Peter Weir’s Gallipoli is Australia’s quintessential war movie, which works as both a stirring tribute to the Anzacs and as a condemnation of the travesty which is war.
The film is set in Western Australia, 1915, where two rival athletes (Mark Lee and Mel Gibson) form a strong bond whilst travelling to Perth in order to join the Australian Army in the battle against Turkish forces in Gallipoli.
Weir and company placed great strains into creating Australia circa 1915, with impeccable costume and production designs. The film was mainly shot in rural South Australia, with cinematographer Russell Boyd capturing the outback in all of its banal yet majestic glory.
The most interesting scenes, however, are the ones set and filmed in Cairo, Egypt, where the Anzacs were trained to fight against “the enemy”, while craving to the temptations of the flesh in the cities various brothels and the con of numerous antique merchants. Watching the game of Aussie rules played against the backdrop of the great pyramids is an almost delirious sight.
The main theme of the film is about the mateship between its two lead characters, and indeed the mateship between all of the Anzacs.
Gibson and Lee both play their roles convincingly. Gibson in particular is especially good, his naturality and expressive features lending credence to his character, as he transforms into the fine actor which we know today. Bill Kerr and the legendary Bill Hunter provide memorable supporting roles.
Weir and screenwriter David Williamson have done a commendable job developing these characters. It is a move which pays off during the films final tragic moments that takes on a whole new level of emotion.