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Gallipoli (2005 film)
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Wikipedia article
'Gallipoli' (Turkish title 'Gelibolu') is a 2005 film by Turkish filmmaker Tolga rnek. It is a documentary about the 1915 Gallipoli campaign, narrated by both sides, the Turks on one side and the British soldiers and Anzacs (soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) on the other side.
Synopsis
Through the use of surviving diaries, letters and photographs from both sides, the film shows the bravery and the suffering on both sides. The film also contains: interviews with international experts, location landscape, underwater and aerial photography, 3-D computer animations and re-enactments of trenches.
Reception
Critical response
When the film was released in France, 'Variety' magazine film critic, Lisa Nesselson, reviewed the film favorably, writing, "A thorough recounting of the carnage when Allied Forces attempted to take the Dardanelles Straits and the title peninsula in Turkey during WWI, 'Gallipoli' serves up the paradoxes and idiocy of battle as expressed in letters and journals written by the men (on both sides) who were there...Clear, informative and frequently moving narration by Jeremy Irons and Sam Neill ties together six years of research by vet documaker Tolga Ornek. Drawing heavily on surviving correspondence, and skillfully illustrated with a blend of still photos, period footage and re-enactments, film keeps talking heads to a minimum. It brings to life long-dead adversaries who did their duty despite massive casualties from artillery, mines and the ravages of dysentery...Tech credits are top notch."[https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117929106?refcatid=31 Nesselson, Lisa]. 'Variety', film review, December 13, 2005. Last accessed: February 19, 2011.Australian film critic Louise Keller wrote, "A potent and magnificent documentary, 'Gallipoli' impacts emotionally through its humanity and intensely personal stories. It has taken filmmaker Tolga rnek six long years to research, write, produce and direct this outstanding film that documents the thoughts of soldiers who fought on all sides of this futile fiasco of a war. Although rnek's script concisely recounts the circumstances and events that took place in the lead up to the nine month war, in which tens of thousands of soldiers lost their lives, it is not a story about who won or lost. Everyone lost in this shocking conflict, when young men not only fought against each other, but against extreme weather conditions, severe hardships like the ravages of disease, flies and lice."[http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=11064&s=Reviews Keller, Louise]. 'Urban Cinefile: The World of Film in Australia - on the Internet', film review, 2005. Last accessed: February 19, 2011.
Awards
For this film, Tolga rnek has been awarded an honorary medal in the general division of the Order of Australia.[http://www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au/downloads/winter06.pdf 'The Order']: 'The National Magazine of The Order of Australia Association,' "Turkish filmmaker honoured," No 19, Winter 2006, page 10. Last accessed: February 19, 2011. (PDF link)Home media
A DVD in Region 1 was released on February 5, 2008 by Cinema Epoch.Amazon, web site.
See also
* Battle of Gallipoli
* Gallipoli
* 'Gallipoli' (1981), film starring Mel Gibson and directed by Peter Weir
References
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