Gallipoli

The film that marked the most significant stylistic shift in Weir’s career—it is with Gallipoli that the Australian director begins his foray into epic cinema, both in scale and in its more classical, polished aesthetic. While all of his earlier features drew on horror and mystery, in Gallipoli history takes center stage (though a trace of mysticism remains).

Archy Hamilton (Mark Lee) is an exceptionally fast runner from the Australian outback—a golden-haired, blue-eyed idealist whose greatest dream is to fight for his country in World War I. His fate becomes intertwined with that of Frank Dunne (Mel Gibson), a rebellious young man of Irish descent who has little patience for pathos or patriotic fervor. These two very different friends first find themselves in uniform in Egypt, and then on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where one of the bloodiest—and most humiliating for the British Empire—campaigns in history will unfold…

For the first time, Russell Boyd composes his images for Weir on a widescreen canvas, giving the film a truly epic sweep. Meanwhile, Weir confirms his gift for blending electronic and classical music like few others—here bringing together, among others, the Baroque composer Tomaso Albinoni and the contemporary pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre.

Michał Oleszczyk

Peter Weir (b. 1944) – director, screenwriter, and producer, and one of the central figures of the Australian New Wave. In the 1970s, he played a crucial role in establishing Australian cinema on the international stage, creating films marked by an atmosphere of mystery, spirituality, and quiet unease. He later transitioned smoothly from auteur filmmaking to Hollywood while retaining his distinctive voice, consistently exploring outsiders, individuals in conflict with systems of power, and the metaphysical dimensions of reality. A six-time Academy Award nominee, Weir has received numerous major honours, including an Honorary Oscar (2022) and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement (2024). He is a master of intelligent yet accessible cinema – one who has reached global audiences without ever sacrificing artistic depth or sensitivity.

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