Gallipoli (1981)

 

 

Gallipoli

Also DVD Gallipoli

Rated:
Starring: Mark Lee, Mel Gibson, et al.
Director: Peter Weir

An outstanding drama, Gallipoli resonates with sadness long after you have seen it. Set during World War I, this brutally honest antiwar movie was cowritten by director Peter Weir. Mark Lee and a sinfully handsome Mel Gibson are young, idealistic best friends who put aside their hopes and dreams when they join the war effort. This character study follows them as they enlist and are sent to Gallipoli to fight the Turks. The first half of the film is devoted to their lives and their strong friendship. The second half details the doomed war efforts of the Aussies, who are no match for the powerful and aggressive Turkish army. Because the script pulls us into their lives and forces us to care for these young men, we are devastated by their fate. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Gallipoli (DVD)
Gallipoli (VHS), with Mel Gibson. A tragic story of three Australian friends who experience the 1915 Gallipoli invasion during World War One. Features some of the most convincing depictions of the terror of going "over the top" ever filmed, with its portrayal of the attack at "The Nek" on the heights above the landing zone. Viewers should keep in mind that this assault was really exceptional in its wastefulness. In many, many other cases, the Australian, British and New Zealand troops not only made it to the Turkish trenches, but often fought their way through several defense lines. Still, 50% casualties were common, and so the shocking reality stands true.

The Nek; The Tragic Charge of the Light Horse at Gallipoli

• See Learning Guide to All Quiet on the Western Front for a description of trench warfare and casualties in WW I. See Learning Guide to Paths of Glory for description of the causes of the First World War.
  
  
• Turkey was a German ally during the First World War. Winston Churchill, at that time First Lord of the British Admiralty, thought that if the British could send the Navy through the Dardanelles they could point their guns at Istanbul and force Turkey out of the War. But Turkish shore batteries on the Gallipoli Peninsula and mine fields in the Dardanelles frustrated the British plan. Churchill then decided to land troops at Gallipoli to take out the shore batteries.
  
  The invasion was unsuccessful. The defenders were commanded by Kemal Ataturk, a determined officer who later lead the Turkish revolution against the Ottomans. Ataturk was the father and first President of the modern state of Turkey. Eventually, after almost 300,000 casualties and no results except for the death of about 300,000 Turks, the British and ANZAC troops withdrew. Churchill was relieved of his position as First Lord of the Admiralty and ever after was taunted by the opposition with the cry: "What about the Dardanelles?"
  
  
• On the whole this film is historically accurate. The purpose of the attack was to divert Turkish attention from the real thrust of the Allied forces. The artillery barrage, designed to force the Turks out of their trenches, was scheduled to continue until 4:30 p.m. For some reason the artillery barrage stopped at 4:23 p.m. The ANZAC attack occurred on time at 4:30 p.m. In those seven minutes the Turks went back to their positions in the trenches and were able to repulse the ANZAC attack.
  
  
• Life in the trenches was probably worse than is shown in the film. The Australians, knowing they would die in the attack, left their watches, rings, and notes for their loved ones in the trenches.
  
  
• Australia sent 300,000 men to fight in World War I and suffered 60,000 deaths, a casualty rate of 20%.

1. [Standard Questions Suitable for Any Film].
2. Should the Australian officer have ordered his men over the top on the final charge?
3. How does the charge shown in this movie differ from the failed attack on the virtually impregnable Fort Wagner shown in the film Glory? [The soldiers of the Massachusetts 54th used the attack on Fort Wagner to prove that black soldiers could fight well in a modern war against hopeless odds; while the attack on Fort Wagner failed to dislodge the Confederate troops, it as a triumph for the Massachusetts 54th and black people in the U.S.]
4. On a map or a globe, show your child Istanbul, the Gallipoli peninsula and the Dardanelles on a map.
   
   
   Character Development
   Courage in War
5. Is it right to sacrifice your life for a lost cause?
   
   
6. [Quick Discussion Question:] In the First World War defensive technology (such as machine guns) gave defenders a great advantage. Can you explain why millions of soldiers went over the top of the trenches and faced the withering fire of the defenders's machine guns in a conflict that was begun by mistake?
   
   
   Ethical Emphasis
   (Teachwithmovies.org is associated with Character Counts and uses The Six Pillars of Character to organize ethical principals.)
   
   Discussion Questions Relating to Ethical Issues are designed to maximize the use of this film to teach ethical principles and critical viewing. One concept from The Six Pillars of Character that is raised in this film is Trustworthiness (Be honest; Don’t deceive, cheat or steal; Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do; Have the courage to do the right thing; Build a good reputation; Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country)
   
7. What does this film tell you about the importance soldiers doing what they say they will do?