671. Gallipoli

Gallipoli
1981
Directed by Peter Weir

An Australian war movie about two runners?  It truly sounds like an absolute nightmare for me, but I was actually able to enjoy it quite a bit.  Low expectations always manage to save the day.

Two sprinters, Archie and Frank, decide to enlist in Australian Imperial Force during World War II.  The two are separated, with Archie going with the Light Horses and Frank going with the Australian version of T-birds to train in Cairo.  Both men are eventually sent to Gallipoli and well, I suppose a knowledge of that battle is a spoiler in itself.

I am not sure I can adequately defend this one.  It is a pretty cut and dried story. The whole "loss of innocence" isn't exactly an original concept, and it played out fairly routine on screen. Still, I found myself quite riveted by this film.  Obviously, if you know about this battle, you know what is going to go down (even though there were quite a few historical inaccuracies in this).  However, in this movie there is no question of what will happen. Instead, we are left to wonder  how something like this could have happened.  Why did these two young, strapping men with great potential abandon all other dreams for the life of soldier?  Oh yes, and Mel Gibson is hot.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

In the movie, Archie is unable to enlist at first because he is not yet 21.  In 1915 Australia, the minimum age that you could enlist was 18.

At the time, was the most expensive Australian film ever made.

619. The Last Wave

The Last Wave
1977
Directed by Peter Weir

I managed to squeeze another movie in today.  My sister was watching a film for this List, as she has also undertaken this journey, and I got intimidated!  I ended up being slightly resentful that she got to watch The Incredible Shrinking Man and I was stuck with this.

I found this film to be somewhat confusing and once again, we don't get any satisfying explanation about what the hell is happening.  It's quite an annoying trend.  Basically, four Aborigines are accused of murder.  David Burton is procured for their defense and I guess the men's tribal ways break his brain.

So I like I said, this was a bit of a chore to sit through.  I have been very disappointed in the Australian films on the List.  They have all been rather dull and they always seem to end in a really confusing way.  I suppose it was interesting seeing Aboriginal culture, but I am not sure how accurate or flattering their portrayal in this film was.

Are we done with Peter Weir yet?

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The city of Adelaide was used instead of Sydney for the majority of the scenes.

599. Picnic at Hanging Rock

Picnic at Hanging Rock
1975
Directed by Peter Weir

I thought the premise of this film sounded absolutely amazing.  Then I realized about forty five minutes had gone by and really nothing had happened.  Another forty-five minutes passed and still nothing.  Surely, there has to be some kind of climax?  Nope.  And apparently that's why people like it so much, because it is open to interpretation.  What kind of lazy ass writing is that?

A group of girls and their teachers travel to Hanging Rock to have a picnic.  Several of the girls inexplicably disappear.  The only witness is an Englishman named Michael, who isn't quite sure what he saw.  That makes two of us.

Once again, I am forced to admit that although a film bored me, it was rather beautiful to look at.  Still, frequent readers will know that I throw a hissy fit if the plot isn't satisfactory.  Maybe we didn't need a concrete solution, but couldn't the entire two hour build up have some sort of pay off?  Apparently not.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

A bridal veil was placed over the camera lens to create the film's ethereal look.

Many of the girls' voices were dubbed.