Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tragic '80s war epic with nudity, swearing, mature themes.
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Gallipoli
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
GALLIPOLI follows the story of two young Australian runners (Mel Gibson and Mark Lee) who face the horrific tragedies of war when they enlist and are sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey during World War I.
Is It Any Good?
Dated but still poignant, Gallipoli's messages pierce the soul with the tragic reminder of the crushing weight of war. A nod to the brilliance of Peter Weir's humanizing storytelling even back in the 1980s, the painfully slow character build into a shocking sudden ending leaves a sharp punch to the gut. Mel Gibson's (and an underrated Mark Lee's) portrayal of young innocence lost is tragically effective, with an epic performance launching Gibson's career to international acclaim. Gallipoli's unconventional, '80s synthesizer-infused, anti-war messages haunt you long after the film is over—where humanity is victorious over glory.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how war is presented in Gallipoli compared to other war movies that you've seen. What parts of the Gallipoli campaign are highlighted? What parts are left out? How does this film shape what you think about war?
Whose point of view does the film mostly follow? How are Archy and Frank's characters portrayed differently? Does the film want us to agree more with Archy's idealistic point of view on life or Frank's more skeptical perspective? How can you tell?
Why did the filmmakers choose a slow story build with a sudden ending? Why do you think the final scene is shot the way it is? What effect did it have on your overall viewing experience?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 28, 1981
- On DVD or streaming : January 21, 2010
- Cast : Mel Gibson , Mark Lee
- Director : Peter Weir
- Inclusion Information : Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , History ( War: WWI )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : May 1, 2026
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