Gallipoli (1981)

In the wake of 1915, amid the turmoil of World War I, we meet Archy Hamilton (Mark Lee), a promising star in the world of sprinting. His dreams of glory on the racing track are eclipsed by a sense of duty to his country as he enlists in the Australian Light Horse Division. A chance encounter reunites him with fellow sprinter, Frank Dunne (Mel Gibson), whose competitive spirit Archy persuades to join the war effort. Frank's journey diverges from Archy's as his lack of equestrian skills lands him in the grittier lines of the Infantry, mingling with familiar faces from his past. As the harsh realities of training mold them into soldiers, fate intertwines their paths once again. A special transfer enables Frank to join Archy in the elite ranks of the Light Horse Division. They embark together on the perilous journey to the Gallipoli Peninsula, leaving behind their varied Australian backgrounds. Yet, their naive visions of war are shattered as they face the steadfast Turkish army. Their experiences in the trenches challenge their perceptions, transforming their understanding of courage and conflict. As the massacre unfolds, both men must confront the grim realities of war. Will their speed, honed on the racing track, be enough to help them survive the battlefield? Gallipoli (1981) is a poignant tale of youthful dreams overshadowed by the harsh realities of war, where survival is the ultimate finish line.

Gallipoli is a drama movie featuring Mel Gibson and directed by Peter Weir.

Gallipoli is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy Gallipoli on AMC on Demand, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube or rent it on Amazon Video.