Two young Aussie runners (Mark Lee and Mel Gibson) befriend each other at a race, enlist in Her Majesty's Army as the Great War rages, and carouse in Cairo before being sent to the deadly eponymous Turkish battle where so many of their countrymen needlessly lost their lives due to arrogance and shortsightedness. It is surprising how little of Peter Weir's Gallipoli is dedicated to battle and just how non urgent it feels for a war movie and is closer to a slice of life picture with wonderful period detail and made with the director's sure hand and his usual muted color palette. The final shot is enduring and an excellent touch.
*** 1/2 out of ****
