CANAKKALE 1915 (Gallipoli) – 2012
This one is about the Gallipoli Campaign as seen from the Turkish point of view. It is based on a popular Turkish historical novel of the same name.
The film covers the Battle of Gallipoli from the start of the Allied Naval attack, to the withdrawal of the Allies. It follows several Turkish soldiers and officers as they fight through said battle. The movie works in several famous Turkish heroes from the actual battle into the narrative.
The film has some good points, like the well done battle scenes etc. The Turks, lacking any real artillery support, had to resort to human wave attacks to stop the Allies. The hot climate, the stench of rotting corpses, the flies, lack of food and clean water are all shown. There is some pretty good attention to period detail, weapons etc. The CGI effects are decent, particularly when showing the Naval actions. A plus, is that quite a few actual locations were used for the production. It looks like they combed through all the museums to dig up period artillery and the like.
There are also some bad points to the production. First is the music, it is a bit over the top, and makes one think you are watching a Turkish version of "Braveheart". Then, there is the endless patriotic speeches given by various Turkish officers and men. Every time there is a break in the battle, everyone gathers and talks about how great it is to fight and die for their country. It was like watching a Soviet era war film. Fight for the motherland and the like.
If the writing had been tightened up, the flag waving scenes less numerous, it would have been better.
Having said that, I still give the film an overall A for effort. I was entertained.
This one is about the Gallipoli Campaign as seen from the Turkish point of view. It is based on a popular Turkish historical novel of the same name.
The film covers the Battle of Gallipoli from the start of the Allied Naval attack, to the withdrawal of the Allies. It follows several Turkish soldiers and officers as they fight through said battle. The movie works in several famous Turkish heroes from the actual battle into the narrative.
The film has some good points, like the well done battle scenes etc. The Turks, lacking any real artillery support, had to resort to human wave attacks to stop the Allies. The hot climate, the stench of rotting corpses, the flies, lack of food and clean water are all shown. There is some pretty good attention to period detail, weapons etc. The CGI effects are decent, particularly when showing the Naval actions. A plus, is that quite a few actual locations were used for the production. It looks like they combed through all the museums to dig up period artillery and the like.
There are also some bad points to the production. First is the music, it is a bit over the top, and makes one think you are watching a Turkish version of "Braveheart". Then, there is the endless patriotic speeches given by various Turkish officers and men. Every time there is a break in the battle, everyone gathers and talks about how great it is to fight and die for their country. It was like watching a Soviet era war film. Fight for the motherland and the like.
If the writing had been tightened up, the flag waving scenes less numerous, it would have been better.
Having said that, I still give the film an overall A for effort. I was entertained.