Gallipoli
While at first glace the story of Gallipoli staring Mark Lee (Archie Hamilton) with Mel Gibson (Frank Dunn) and directed by Peter Weir may seem to explore this theme the same way as The Charge of the Light Brigade simply because both texts are both based around war. I can assure you this is most definitely incorrect.
When looking at Archie Hamilton we realize that his loyalty should have questioned from the very begging as we are told its not Australia’s war, this is illustrated in the following quote stranger gives in the desert “still, cant see what its gotta do with us” (35:45). Despite being told this Archie ignores this piece of advice and joins the ‘Light Horse’ none the less. As the movie progresses Archie moves closer to ‘going over the edge’ where he ultimately sacrifice’s his life for no reason (1:41:52).
Not only does Gallipoli clearly illustrate that loyalty leads to sacrifice but also provides the audience with a clear comparison that shows us what would have happened if the Archie Hamilton hadn’t committed the same amount of loyalty. This is done through Frank; from the beginning Frank is not committed or nearly as loyal as his faster friend towards the country and is hesitant about joining the war. Frank’s realistic approach leads him to opt out of joining the siege as we see at (1:30:27) Frank decides to take up the messenger job Archie declined at 1:28:46. If Archie had not been so loyal he would of taken the job and therefore survive.
While some viewers may have the impression that what Archie Hamilton did was very noble, I would argue that it was more stupid, the sacrifice would have been easily avoided if he had questioned his loyalty at any point during the movie.
When looking at Archie Hamilton we realize that his loyalty should have questioned from the very begging as we are told its not Australia’s war, this is illustrated in the following quote stranger gives in the desert “still, cant see what its gotta do with us” (35:45). Despite being told this Archie ignores this piece of advice and joins the ‘Light Horse’ none the less. As the movie progresses Archie moves closer to ‘going over the edge’ where he ultimately sacrifice’s his life for no reason (1:41:52).
Not only does Gallipoli clearly illustrate that loyalty leads to sacrifice but also provides the audience with a clear comparison that shows us what would have happened if the Archie Hamilton hadn’t committed the same amount of loyalty. This is done through Frank; from the beginning Frank is not committed or nearly as loyal as his faster friend towards the country and is hesitant about joining the war. Frank’s realistic approach leads him to opt out of joining the siege as we see at (1:30:27) Frank decides to take up the messenger job Archie declined at 1:28:46. If Archie had not been so loyal he would of taken the job and therefore survive.
While some viewers may have the impression that what Archie Hamilton did was very noble, I would argue that it was more stupid, the sacrifice would have been easily avoided if he had questioned his loyalty at any point during the movie.