Gallipoli is a 1981 Australian film directed by Peter Weir, starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee. It tells the story of two young men from rural western Australia who join the army to fight in World War I. Archy Hamilton (Lee) is a talented sprinter who dreams of representing Australia in the Olympics, while Frank Dunne (Gibson) is a less ambitious young man who joins the army to escape the monotony of his job.
The two friends are sent to Cairo for training before being sent to the front line in Gallipoli. There, they witness the horrors of war as they try to hold off the Turkish forces. Archy, in particular, is committed to the cause and determined to make a difference. However, as the conflict drags on, the two friends become disillusioned with the war effort and begin to question the meaning of their sacrifice.
In the final scene, Archy and Frank are ordered to participate in a suicidal attack on the Turkish trenches. With no hope of survival, they charge towards the enemy lines in a desperate attempt to make a difference. The film ends with the two friends lying next to each other, mortally wounded, as the Turkish army prepares to overrun their position.
Gallipoli is a haunting portrayal of the realities of war and the sacrifices made by everyday people in their fight for their country. It is widely regarded as one of the best Australian films of all time and helped to launch Mel Gibson's career on the global stage.