Both sides of the story
Gallipoli
Documentary

Rating: 3/5

Released in limited cinemas earlier this year to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, this Turkish-made documentary by award-winning director Tolga Ornek is an original look at the battle, which is described in the film as “an epic tale of courage, self sacrifice and stubborn endurance” for all concerned.

The film follows six Anzac, British and Turkish soldiers. As the leaders from both sides of the campaign and their strategies are introduced, it explores the impact this has on the soldiers’ lives.

Seeing a film that displays the Turkish perspective, and how they planned for and coped with the allied offensive, is just as interesting as seeing how they remember and view this attack on their nation.

The film also portrays how those countries involved as enemies during the battle, but who displayed mutual respect to each other, became friends afterwards, claiming “no battle has forged such strong comradeship and everlasting peace in its aftermath”.

It’s well researched, by teams in Turkey, Australia, UK, New Zealand, Germany, France and Russia, but, as a criticism, I found the trenches a little too tidy and the uniforms a little too clean and well maintained, which detracted from otherwise well- choreographed battle scenes and depictions of enduring life in the trenches.

But perhaps the most interesting aspect for many viewers will be the insight into how Turkey views Gallipoli’s effects on world history and the effect the campaign had on Turkey becoming a republic from the ruins of an empire.



– Corporal Damian Shovell

Over Christmas
It’s peak hour at the cinema again. Private John Wellfare takes a look at some of the big hits on the big screen this summer.

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – December 26

TAKING the premier Boxing Day spot this year, Narnia looks set to equal the Lord of the Rings trilogy in fantasy-epic grandness. Previews for this film, directed by Andrew Adamson (Shrek and Shrek 2), have been running since July.

For those not familiar with CS Lewis’ classic tale, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows the Pevensie siblings – Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter – who enter Narnia through a magical wardrobe.

The children help the good creatures of Narnia overcome the curse of the White Witch, Jadis.

This looks set to be an epic feast for the senses and a great way to finish up the cinematic year.

Although it would be unfair to CS Lewis to describe this as a Lord of the Rings/Harry Potter hybrid, fans of both, or either, movies should fall in love with Narnia.

Underworld: Evolution – January 19

DESPITE a string of bad reviews, Underworld was popular among viewers for its originality when released in 2003.

Shot in Budapest, Underworld shunned the horror blood-fest approach to vampire movies from which the rest of Hollywood had forged the genre, instead focusing on the action. It fell short in the eyes of many reviewers because movies like The Matrix and Blade had established a more over-the-top precedent for this style of action flick.

In Underworld: Evolution, the war between vampires and werewolves continues.

Vampire heroine Selena (Kate Beckinsale) and vampire-werewolf hybrid Michael (Scott Speedman) try to uncover the origins of their bloodlines and the ancient feud between races.

This movie has the potential to be an intriguing gothic action flick like the original, but, as happens with many action sequels, may fall into the trap of going over the top in an effort to be bigger and better than before.

Jarhead – February 9

THIS may prove to be one of the more insightful war movies of recent years.

It aims to be an exploration of modern warfare from a soldier’s perspective rather than a violent glorification of combat.

Based on Anthony Swofford’s book on his experiences in the first Gulf War, Jarhead follows Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his fellow marines on their deployment to the Middle East in preparation for Desert Storm.

Many marines come close to insanity during the long wait for battle.

Regardless of your position on war, this movie will be well worth a look, as it focuses on a psychological by-product of military service rarely explored.