Gallipoli

 3.5/4

Starring: Mark Lee, Mel Gibson, Robert Grubb, Tim McKenzie, David Argue, Bill Hunter

Rated PG (probably for War Scenes, Nudity and Language)

From a place you've never heard of, comes a story you'll never forget

If that tagline conjures up romantic feelings of adventure and nostalgia in you, it's done its job.  Although it is deceiving, it feels correct.  This is a story of what happens when the hunt for thrills and adventure that boys thought of war comes into contact with cold hard reality.

"Gallipoli" is an ambitious film.  It seeks to merge the feel of classical British epics, the adventure of Indiana Jones, and the brutality of "Saving Private Ryan."  That it succeeds at combining these dichotomous genres and moods into a compelling whole is a testament to the storytelling prowess of Peter Weir, who rarely makes disappointing movies.

Archy Hamilton (Lee) is the fastest man in Australia.  He wants to fight in the war with all the other local boys, but his uncle Jack (Kerr) counsels him against this.  Besides, he is only 18, well under the age requirement of 21.  But he's determined to enlist, and with the help of his rival-turned-friend Frank Dunne (Gibson), he succeeds.  Soon he has joined the 10th Light Horse regiment and found the glory, pride and adventure he has been seeking so relentlessly.  Just beyond the bend, however, is the true face of war, and it is something for which he is woefully unprepared for.

Strictly speaking, "Gallipoli" isn't an action movie.  While it does contain some impressive visuals and a harrowing battle scene, those who are going in expecting a summer blockbuster, or even "Saving Private Ryan," will be a bit confused.  This is a character piece that both opposes and respects war.  It wears its heart on its sleeve and illustrates its philosophy by the trials and tribulations of its two central heroes.

The film is centered around Archy and Dunne, and lead actors Mark Lee and Mel Gibson do not disappoint.  They're consistently excellent in challenging roles.  Archy is unfailingly optimistic believes that war, while dangerous, is a good way to see the world and fulfill his patriotic duties.  He has fallen for the romanticism of war hook, line and sinker.  Duane is an aimless layabout without any real direction.  Being a soldier has given him something to work for and a way to gain self-respect.  The supporting cast members, which include the late great Bill Hunter, are just as good.

What's interesting about Weir's approach is that, until the exact moment he brings reality crashing down on Archy, Dunne and their fellows, he keeps the fantasy alive.  It is literally all fun and games until that one instant when they realize that war is nothing like they imagined.  Far from being an adventure, it is a grim reality too terrible to conceive of.

The final battle, which is almost as harrowing as the infamous D-Day sequence in "Saving Private Ryan," is as unsettling as one can imagine.  There aren't any body parts flying everywhere, but it's tough to sit through a sequence when young men are mowed down without mercy.  While the MPA's PG-13 rating didn't exist in 1981, I find it hard to understand why this movie didn't get an R rating.  It's not for the faint of heart and certainly not for children.

"Gallipoli" ends on a freeze frame that may startle some.  Others might be angry.  I initially felt this way too, but upon further reflection I respect Weir's choice.  He doesn't want the audience to have emotional release.  He wants the audience to keep feeling the terror and shock of what happens (no I won't spoil it).  Dealing with its aftermath would have cheapened this effect.

One of the great joys I have as a film critic is finding diamonds in the rough.  Movies that don't have the advertising to be hits or were overlooked and forgotten.  "Gallipoli" is one of those movies. It gets a very enthusiastic recommendation from me.