Gallipoli is a 1981 movie directed by Peter Weir.
Gallipoli tells the story of two Australian sprinters who find themselves in the deadly trenches of World War I. Mark Lee is the wide-eyed, idealistic Archy – whose sense of patriotism leads him to join the war effort. Gibson plays the scheming, charismatic Frank – who initially resists becoming a soldier. Their relationship leading up to the climatic battle scene forms the majority of the movie. Weir reveals a youthful innocence and brotherhood between the two – along with sexually suggestive tones.
THE BEST – Races
Weir expertly frames his movie around Lee’s Archy training for a hundred yard dash. Bill Kerr’s Jack is excellent as Archy’s demanding trainer – he strives to shave fractions of seconds off Archy’s time. This detail returns as Archy has to motivate himself to enter the battlefield. Meanwhile, Gibson’s Frank serves as a “runner” during chaotic trench warfare. Every second counts as Frank desperately relays vital information to the commanding officers. It’s a tense, well-crafted scene.
THE WORST – Doppelgängers
It’s completely petty but Jack McBrayer is the spitting image of Mark Lee. While Lee’s Archy is endearing and captures the youthful innocence of a soldier about to be slaughtered by a deadly war, sometimes I could only see Kenneth the page.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4/5
Gallipoli is a patient, thoughtful war movie that focuses on the humanity behind soldiers. In a sense, we hardly think of either Lee or Gibson as soldiers – which adds a potency to the climactic final scenes.
