Analysis Of Gallipoli, By Peter Weir Essay, Research Paper
Gallipoli truly demonstrated the view points of Australians and the effects the war had on them. A deceiving perception of the war was emphasized, forgetting the warnings and traumas which were so evident by the end of the movie. Innocence was lost before young boys even had a chance to really live their lives. Misleading propaganda and nationalism encouraged the war effort. Much could have been
prevented, yet the naivete of the elders and youth alike kept the inexperienced going on for more. Military plans were constantly changed and those who were smart enough to protest were labeled as cowards.
The causes of World War I were unknown to Archie Hamilton and his friends. Neglecting the true facts and reasons of German intervention into the war, the Australians’ strong sense of nationalism blinded them to the many unforeseen realities. Such evidence for this can be found in the scene where Archie and Frankie encountered the men in the desert. It was their innocence and love for their country which brought them to say that it was the German’s fault. This also proves that there must have been lots of blatant propaganda for such young men to assume that the war had started all because of the Germans. One soldier even told a story to influence the Australians into hating the Germans. That soldier explained how German soldiers went through Belgium, killing all the kittens and marching through the town with the poor dead felines on their sticks. Numerous things were done to keep the war effort going. All the real horrors which government and military officials knew would scare the much needed potential soldiers away were hidden.
Nationalism and propaganda also influenced the impacts war had on the soldiers and civilians. Oblivious to the reality of it all, mothers were proud to send their sons of to war, having no doubt that they would be home within weeks. Girls and children cheered in the streets, unaware of the numerous avoidable deaths and injuries. The impression of war was for heroic soldiers to fight for their country and be home soon. Joining the war effort was the “cool” thing to do. The soldiers really had no idea what they were in store for until actual battle. Even at training camps, Peter Weir directed a bunch of fun and games. From playing football to having races, any onlooker would perceive war to be a vacation from all responsibilities. Even in the trenches, laughter could be heard while boys and men played cards on small makeshift tables. In a letter to Archie’s uncle Jack, he still believes that war is an adventure. It was not until actual battle that soldiers were exposed to the traumas of war. Innocent men were dying as na?ve generals kept commanding men to attack the enemy’s trenches. They would be shot down before they could even make it out of their own trench! Soldiers were hit with harsh reality as soon as they were put into battle. They no longer could go back to their
old mindset, wanting to play games and await their return home. They crossed a thin line which they would never have the opportunity to cross back. Those who survived would forever remember all those who had died. They are the only ones who will know the true
reasons of the death, not just glamorize ideas of nobly dying for one’s country. Those poor innocent soldiers were pushed into death.
Frankie was effected most from the war. For the rest of his life, he has to live with the fact that many men died because of him. Being a “runner”, he was in charge of racing back and forth between the two men in command of the battle for the Australian’s
side. Communications were shut down several minutes after the trench warfare had started so Frankie was responsible of relaying all messages from the command center to the trenches. On his way back from the command center one trip, he was supposed to tell
<the trench sergeant to stop attacking the enemy’s trenches, for it was no use. Too many men were dying for absolutely no good reason at all. Unfortunately, just as Frankie was approaching, the trench sergeant fired his rifle, sending ahead the next attack, which
Archie was a part of. All Frankie was thinking was how Archie was the faster runner and shouldn’t have been fighting on the battle field. Maybe then all those young boys could have been saved. Archie died with pride, fighting for his country, but last we see,
Frankie is still alive. Although it may have not been his fault that the attack was sent ahead, he will never forget how all those lives were wasted.
The only apparent effect of the Great War on civilians was the extreme disillusions which everyone possessed. Mothers practically sent their sons into death beds. The families were filled with pride. Everyone cheered and played games. Patriotism was at its extreme height. Banners were made by the civilians, addressing the soldiers as brothers and wishing them lots of good luck. No one expected the war to go on for so long, not to mention kill so many of their men. Even the general at the command station was not effected like the soldiers were. You had to be on the battle field to experience and understand the true traumas of war. That general kept sending
attack after attack out, refusing to believe that it was doing no good. His goal was to distract the Germans so that the British could safely sail ashore, yet he was failing. Soldiers who were so na?ve and inexperienced were nobly killed, simply for obeying their sergeants. Nothing about this war could be justified.
Trench warfare was a new technique of battle during World War I. The scene at the trenches tells us what war was really like through the eyes of a military sergeant. He grew so frustrated and desperate that his thoughts became irrational. So caught up in winning the war and trying to allow the British to safely land ashore, he kept sending
attack after useless attack out, oblivious to how ineffective his plans were. He would not let himself believe that the Australians were losing in this great war for power and not being any help to the respected British. Trench warfare was also an effortless attempt for the enemy to shoot down soldier’s very easily. Soldiers would get shot down before they
could even make it out of the trenches!
Although young men in All Quiet on the Western Front were eager to join the war effort, at first, the shocking reality was realized as soon as they had gotten to the training camps. Food shortages occurred every day. Almost all soldiers wish to return home. However, Gallipoli perceives training camps to be full of relaxation and patriotism. It was not until the actual encounter with battle that soldiers realized their mistake in enlisting. Another difference was robbery. Men would have things stolen from them while they were sleeping in All Quiet, but when the Australians at Gallipoli went off to fight, they would leave inherited watches and other heirlooms hanging from their daggers. There was a true sense of community at Gallipoli. Even when Kat offered a young recruit food, he was simply doing this to prove that he could be a good trader. Although he was just trying to make profits to survive, it was still a selfish act. All men stood up for each other at Gallipoli. This is evident when the store owner had charged one soldier a higher price for exactly the same souvenir as another. A whole group of men was assembled to go back and win their much deserved money.
The battle at Gallipoli changed many men. It was a clear demonstration of the tragedies which occurred during battle and the innocent young men which were drawn into it. Whether the soldiers died or continued living, innocence was lost, no matter
what. Pure hatred was magnified with every death.