The Lighthorsemen is a 1987 Australian war film directed by Simon Wincer and starring Jon Blake, Peter Phelps, and Sigrid Thornton. The film is based on the true events of the Australian Light Horse regiment's involvement in the Battle of Beersheba during World War I.
The film begins with the Australian Light Horse regiment arriving in Palestine to join the British forces in their fight against the Ottoman Empire. Many of the soldiers are farmers and horsemen from rural Australia who have never seen combat before. The film follows the soldiers as they train and prepare for their first battle.
The first major battle depicted in the film is the unsuccessful attack on Gaza. During the battle, Frank, one of the Lighthorsemen, is wounded in a skirmish with Bedouin fighters. He is replaced by a young soldier, Dave, who is a crack shot but reluctant to fire at the enemy.
The Lighthorsemen are then called upon to participate in a bold flanking attack on Beersheba, a heavily fortified Turkish city. The plan is to attack the city from the side, where it is less heavily defended. However, the troops must first trick the Turkish army into believing that the main attack will come at Gaza, not at Beersheba.
The film's climactic scene depicts the Australian Light Horse charging across a vast desert towards the heavily fortified Turkish city. The soldiers are armed with nothing but their horses, their bayonets, and their courage. The charge is successful, and the city is taken with relatively light casualties.
The Lighthorsemen received critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its historical accuracy and realistic portrayal of warfare. The film is considered a classic of Australian cinema and is often cited as one of the best war films ever made.