Gallipoli was the start of a national story, and an event in history that gave the world perception of the Australian narratives explored today. The stories that came from this event each had different purposes and connections which gave an identity to Australia, because of the people who fought for this.

The wartime event is represented in the 1981 Australian Film ‘Gallipoli’, exploring multiple national narratives that hold their context and meaning ‘till today. Peter Weir’s film has the elements and techniques that uncover these narratives, and the one that is analyzed here is the narrative of mateship. These are the bonds of loyalty, hardship, and determination that
our protagonist Archie and his friend Frank develop in the film.

Throughout the movie, many scenes prominently show the partnership between the two, however it does this especially in the second act, in Giza. In the leadup to this shot, the men are having a friendly race across the landscape of the city, and they climb up the pyramid, and proceed to have a rest. In the shot you can see they are sitting across from each other, and between them in the background, is another pyramid. This pyramid is in the centre of the shot, however it is not the main focus it, as that is the men’s positioning which distracts the audience from it. Supposed to be a grand structure that tests time, but that is not its purpose in the scene.

Forced perspective is used by the filmmaker to emphasise the presence of Archie and Frank in this ancient city and how they become more important to the story while changing the importance of everything besides them leaving it in the background, and this is in relation to the story of the ANZACS. The handshake that is seen below the pyramid which in this instance is used as a sign of mateship, is also used to create an illusion, as without it, it gives the true length of the pyramid, one that would greatly extend theirs. Another idea that can be gathered, is that although they compete against each other in the race and are probably exhausted, they are both cheerful, indicating the friendly nature and disregard of this competitive sport that they threw away in their previous lives. It shows the true personality of these two individuals, and the call to war that lets them explore this.

One of the scenes in the film that is a great example of the elements of mateship is the AFL game that is played in the camp in Cairo. Frank is the main focus of this scene, and although his best mate Archie is not part of this scene, it does not stop him from playing this game and doing what he enjoys. It Indicates the instincts of the soldiers to carry their countries identity, and the nature of how they play is a direct call to mateship and what it looks like in an environment where people are not familiar with each other. They will clash arms with the next person if it means they get to play their favourite sport while making a new friend.

Peter Weir’s setup of the first two acts of the film is used to create an illusion of calm and friendly albeit unfamiliar environments, until the third act, where the narrative of mateship is less emphasised, and the viewer is introduced to new motifs and a soundtrack that opposes previous ones. Archie and Frank’s friendship is tested as they round up for an attack that they were not prepared for. Frank’s prior opinions and disbeliefs about the war relate with the audiences while watching the film, and the helplessness that Frank has when trying to save Archie is in tune with the audience. The last cry that Frank has could be intended towards anyone, but it is obvious that it is Archie he is crying for. It was his naivety and his thirst for heroism that got him killed, and even though he there  for Frank, Frank was only there to be with him, which represents the selflessness that people will develop when they are around their best friends. This could be said for a lot of the ANZACS, which illustrates the tragedy of the event.

The Gallipoli story is  but it goes beyond this. Mateship that was formed on the battlefields in the minds of innocents being manipulated to war is a key contrast to the struggles people have today. They will go through hard times in life and challenge themselves, but it is the people around them, the new faces they encounter and memories they share with these people they that keep them going. That is the message behind mateship, and the Australian identity we hold today.