Gallipoli Essay

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In any film, the opening sequences are very significant as they help to establish the direction the film is going to take. The opening sequence in the 1981 film, Gallipoli, directed by Peter Weir, is of great significance as it shows the audience what the film is going to be about; a runner, Archy, who has his sights set on the Gallipoli War. Through a close analysis of visual and verbal techniques used in this opening sequence, the theme of the film, the wastefulness of war, is also established. To begin with, the director uses dialogue to help set up what the film is going to be about. In this opening sequence the first lines of dialogue we hear are: "..What are your legs? Steel Springs… How fast can you run? As fast as a leopard. How fast are you going to run? As fast as a leopard…" This excerpt of dialogue is said between Archy, the…show more content…
A day after Archy finishes sprint training, he injures himself as a result of a dangerous dare, which he agreed to his brother. Later that night, we see Archy sifting through recent newspapers and articles. The over-the-shoulder-shot and extreme close up shot are used in conjunction to focus the audiences' attention on the words, which headline the various articles. Imprinted boldly on some include, 'fighting gallantly' 'magnificent victory at Gallipoli'. The close up on these headlines do not only hint Archy's interest in the prospect of joining war but is demonstrative of the war propaganda prevalent at the time the film is set in. Hence, the use of the over-the-shoulders-shot and the extreme close up shot help to highlight Archy's interest in war, moreover the Gallipoli War, and overall, hint that the film will take on a military route - which the film does as we see Archy heading off to war, enlisted as a member of the Lighthorse
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