We've talked a good bit about the camaraderie of war and the resemblance between war and sports without mentioning a film that hits deeply at these themes: Peter Weir's Gallipoli. I believe it's from the early '80's. It stars Mel Gibson in what I think is arguably his best role and powerfully depicts the terrors of trench warfare. It also addresses an episode of the war that Rod referred to way back at the beginning: the Australian participation on a front overshadowed by the image of the Western Front and the Aussies' manipulation by the British leadership. I had a private email earlier from a reader who was very much insistent that the Australians not be lumped together with the British forces. Anyone seen Gallipoli?
Gallipoli is a wonderful, beautiful film. The young men are great friends, it isnt' the hardshop of war that bonds them as much as the adventure of travel to exotic places. One scene places them on camels at the Pyramids. One of the most beautiful moments in any movie is when the troop ships approach Gallipoli, there are bursting shells,while Albinoni's Andagio plays, simply beautiful, but deadly.
the p.o.v. of the film is that the Austrailians were sacrificed because of British strategic blunders.
Another fine film on WWI is
Joyeux Noel about the Christmas Truce.
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Posted by billh @ 10:22 AM Wed, Jun 20, 2007
Gallipoli is a wonderful, beautiful film. The young men are great friends, it isnt' the hardshop of war that bonds them as much as the adventure of travel to exotic places. One scene places them on camels at the Pyramids. One of the most beautiful moments in any movie is when the troop ships approach Gallipoli, there are bursting shells,while Albinoni's Andagio plays, simply beautiful, but deadly.
the p.o.v. of the film is that the Austrailians were sacrificed because of British strategic blunders.
Another fine film on WWI is
Joyeux Noel about the Christmas Truce.