Based on the story of the Anzac battlefield at Gallipoli during the First World War, the film Gallipoli, directed by Peter Weir, is a true representation of the viewpoints of Australians, and the effects that the war had on them. The film (and the battle’s) heartbreaking ending brought a sense of national identity to Australia. Australians were willing to fight for their country without even the slightest idea as to what they were fighting for. Gallipoli was such a significant event in Australia’s history that many people believed that it coincided with the start of Australia’s growth of nationalism (Freebury, 17). In light of this, it is evident that nationalism was certainly a key concept in this film.
Nationalism can be defined as allegiance and devotion to the interests of one’s own country (“nationalism”). Archy Hamilton, and later in the movie Frank Dunne, humanize nationalism in the film through their dedication and eagerness to fight for their country. From the beginning Archy knew that he wanted to take part in the war. He wanted to defend his country. While Archy and Frank were venturing through the desert they came across a stranger who asked them why they were going to war. Archy responded with the idea that he would stop the Turks before they entered into Australia (Gallipoli). I felt that neither Archy nor Frank knew the exact purpose of the campaign or why they were going to fight, but this did not stop them from putting their own lives on the line between Australia and her enemies. Their naivety to the truth, but willingness to go on and fight in the war, further emphasizes the idea of loyalty to their country.
As stated in Jane Freebury’s article, “Screening Australia: Gallipoli – a study of nationalism on film”, “Australian audiences responded to the film’s celebration of the national identity” (Freebury, 17). National identity is a significant part of nationalism. National identity is an image of a nation; who and what a nation is made up of. When Gallipoli was released the Australian audience felt a sense of pride and unity. It wasn’t just another movie; it was a chance to let fiction and history mix to relive the Gallipoli myth. Within the film there was a slice of history, Australian ideals (such as bravery, nationalism, and mateship), and the symbol of the outback (Rattigan, 19). All of these aspects worked together in the film to present a clear vision of Australia’s national identity.
The true bravery of the soldiers became apparent in the final scene of the movie. The Australian soldiers willingly put themselves in a situation of inevitable mass suicide by leaving the trenches and attacking the Turks. Even though the soldiers knew they had no chance of survival, they followed their orders because their pride for their country took over and propelled them forward. This final scene also captured the true meaning of mateship. From the beginning of the movie, Archy’s dedication to the war was clearly much stronger than Frank’s. Originally Archy was assigned the job of the runner, which would take him out of the battle in order to relay messages. Almost without thought, Archy passed the job of runner to Frank, and took Frank’s spot in the line of soldiers. Archy knew why he had enlisted in the war, which was to fight for his country. He loved his country and would do whatever it took to help keep it safe. And though Frank loved his country too, he felt stronger about the mateship he had developed with his fellow soldiers. He would do anything to protect them from what could only be described as an inevitable slaughter. In the beginning of the movie when the others are talking about joining the war, Frank states that he wouldn’t be joining because he had no interest in dying for his country, but by the end of the movie Frank would have died for his country in an effort to protect his mates. Nationalism and mateship are both part of the Australian national identity, and both shine proudly in this film.
The film Gallipoli helped to define the national identity of Australians to the rest of the world by focusing on nationalism, bravery, and mateship. The soldiers pride in who they were, and their love for their country exploded on the screen and left the viewer with a clear idea about what it meant to be Australian during the war. I can see why Australians were so proud of this film because I think that it portrayed them as a unified young nation determined to protect itself. Before the battle Archy tells his fellow soldiers to “make our country proud,” and clearly, they did. Gallipoli is truly a tribute to Australia’s undeniable sense of nationalism and national identity.
Sources:
Freebury, Jane. “Screening Australia: Gallipoli – A study of Nationalism of Film.” Media Information Australia
Gallipoli. Peter Weir. Film. 1981.
“nationalism.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 29 Mar. 2011. <Dictionary.com
Rattigan, Neil. “Gallipoli 1981”. Images of Australian 100 Films of The New Australian Cinema. 1991.
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