Cinematic Techniques In Gallipoli

In filmography, the setting is a key literary device which, if used effectively, can be the basis on which we, as an audience, can understand of the key ideas in a film. The Kimberley Gift Fair and the Gallipoli Peninsula are two important settings in the 1981 motion picture, ‘Gallipoli,’ which enable us to gain an understanding of the key ideas of the film; which are, the destructive puissance of war propaganda and the brutality of war. Throughout the film, a plethora of cinematic techniques are employed by the director Peter Weir, in these settings, in order to not only expose the key ideas of the film but, more importantly, to impart messages of great relevance and significance for people in society today.

Contextually speaking, Gallipoli …show more content…
This, consequently, builds up a series of negative emotions within them as they come to the realisation that they have been deceived. In the film, this is exactly what occurs and is evident the immediate moment the film switches to the setting of the Gallipoli peninsula. At first sight of this setting, we notice that it is far from being pleasant as it was told to be at the Kimberley Gift Fair. The lighting used in the setting is quite dim and ghastly and, in conjunction with the employment of Albanoni’s Adagio in G minor (music score) - a piece with very bitter undertones - a mood of despair, anguish and fear is created which hints at the idea of the brutality of war (which is to come). Upon landing on the site, we immediately see how war is brutal as we hear the sound effect of bombs exploding and soldiers wailing in pain. The fact that bombs are just autonomously detonated into either side shows the brutality of war as these men have been brainwashed into thinking that their sole purpose is to annihilate and destroy the opposition regardless of whether they are innocent or not. No mercy is spared to the incoming troops - who are, quite frankly, left to fend for themselves. In this setting, the idea of the brutality of war is continually developed as we see a close up of the food which the men consume. To our shock, it is covered with flies and other various …show more content…
Through the idea of the potency of war propaganda, Weir seems to open our eyes to the reality of the existence of war propaganda and that it still inheres in society today. Moreover, Weir seems to stress that because propaganda is so potent, it causes us to act in ways which may go against our natural will. And, so, it compels us, thus, to firstly realise the existence of propaganda but more importantly, hold true to our moral values and what we believe is right so that we do not face unforeseen consequences such as the death which many individuals faced (who were deceived by propaganda when going to war). Additionally, through the idea of the brutality of war, Weir reminds us of the wars plaguing our own society today such as the war against ISIL and, the wars in Syria and Ukraine. And, because it is brutal, the film compels us to really put an end to all wars as it is a very traumatising and horrific occurrence wherein so many lives are wasted and are maltreated to the point where as aforementioned, there becomes a blatant disregard for the human dignity and person.

Thus, through a corroborative analysis of the settings of the Kimberley Gift Fair and the Gallipoli peninsula, we can gain an understanding of the ideas of the potency of war propaganda and the brutality of war. The 1981 motion picture, ‘Gallipoli,’ is quite special, historically, considering that