Key Takeaways
- The Anzac legend emerged from the aftermath of World War I and played a significant role in shaping Australia’s national identity.
- The legend was fading by the 1960s and 1970s, but the 1981 film Gallipoli helped revive it and bring the story to a new generation.
- The film, directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson, tells the story of two young men who enlist in the war and find themselves in the midst of the Battle of the Nek.
- The movie had a significant impact on the way Australians think about the Anzac legend and their connection to it, with thousands making a pilgrimage to the site every year for the anniversary.
- The film’s success can be attributed to its ability to capture the emotional attachment to the values of mateship, sacrifice, and national pride that are at the heart of the Anzac legend.
Introduction to the Anzac Legend
The Anzac legend is a significant part of Australia’s national identity, and it is estimated that more than 15 million civilians and soldiers died in World War I. The legend is characterized by a sense of warrior mythology and the glory of the British Empire, which were embedded in the original version of the Anzac legend. Historian Carolyn Holbrook describes the Anzac legend as a "nation-making role" that has had a lasting impact on Australian society.
The Fading of the Anzac Legend
By the 1960s and 1970s, the Anzac legend was fading, and the number of surviving diggers was dwindling. The country was also experiencing a backlash against the Vietnam War, which made recognition of battles that took place more than 60 years prior a low priority. Dr. Holbrook notes that some of the old values associated with the Anzac legend had started to seem outdated, and crowds at dawn services and Anzac Day marches were declining.
The Revival of the Anzac Legend
The 1981 film Gallipoli, directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson, played a significant role in reviving the Anzac legend. The film tells the story of two young men, Archy Hamilton and Frank Dunne, who enlist in the war and find themselves in the midst of the Battle of the Nek. The movie was critically acclaimed worldwide and made a significant impact on the way Australians think about the Anzac legend. Dr. Holbrook notes that the film helped capture the emotional attachment to the values of mateship, sacrifice, and national pride that are at the heart of the Anzac legend.
The Making of Gallipoli
The film Gallipoli was not an obvious choice for playwright David Williamson, who had been heavily involved in the anti-Vietnam movement. However, when his friend Peter Weir approached him to write the script, Williamson "jumped at the chance." Weir had traveled to Türkiye in 1976 and was inspired by the silent power of the place, where he found water bottles, bullets, and bones. He gave a bullet he found in the sand to Williamson, and the two started work on the script. The film focuses on the infamous Battle of the Nek, a failed bayonet attack on the Ottoman trenches that took place on August 7, 1915.
The Impact of Gallipoli
The film Gallipoli had a significant impact on Australian society, and it helped to rebirth the Anzac legend. The movie sent out a ringing song of mateship and sacrifice, and it catapulted the Gallipoli campaign to prime position in the country’s national story. In 1985, the Turkish government officially recognized the name "Anzac Cove" for the site of the World War I landing of the Anzacs. In 1990, Bob Hawke became the first Australian prime minister to attend an Anzac Day ceremony at Gallipoli, on the 75th anniversary of the landing. Today, thousands make a pilgrimage to the site every year for the anniversary, with young Australians making up a large portion of the visitors.
The Legacy of Gallipoli
The film Gallipoli has had a lasting impact on Australian society, and its legacy continues to be felt today. The movie helped to capture the emotional attachment to the values of mateship, sacrifice, and national pride that are at the heart of the Anzac legend. Playwright David Williamson hopes that the original message about the futility and horror of war is not lost, and that the film will continue to leave a broader impression that Australians will never be involved in a senseless war again. Dr. Holbrook notes that the film’s success can be attributed to its ability to capture the emotional attachment to the values that are at the heart of the Anzac legend, and that it has helped to shape the way Australians think about their national identity.