|
Gallipoli centres on two young men Archie (Mark Lee) and
Frank (Mel Gibson). They are from different walks of like,
the former being a country boy the latter a street-wise city
dweller, but they share a love and talent for sprinting.
Despite their differences, which also include Archie's desire
to go to the Great War and Frank's disinterest, the pair strike
up a friendship that blossoms as they join the army - in different
units because Frank can't ride and so can't join the Light
Horse mounted infantry.
Eventually he does sign up with his old city mates played
superbly by Robert Grubb, David Argue, Tim McKenzie. With
them he sees the sights and delights of Egypt and through
them we see the real cost of war.
The new friends are reunited in Egypt and because they don't
need horses at Gallipoli, Frank is allowed to join the light
horse as a runner.
Gallipoli gives us a really good idea of what the troops
went through living in trenches and self-dug caves clinging
on to the side of the beach cliffs.
It is beautifully shot by Weir and while the DVD transfer
is not perfect it looks really, really good. Sound-wise your
system will have bullets whizzing around your ears. It is
also nice to have the classical music, Albanoni and Bizet's
The Pearl Fishers powered up and who can forget the brilliant
use of Jean Michel Jarre's Oxygene.
Gallipoli is one of my favourite war movies - and Australian
movies - and it deserves its place on every DVD shelf in the
country.
A wonderful newcomer to DVD.
Conclusion: Movie 90% Extras 90%
|
