Term 4 Week 2 Homework

Write an introductory paragraph in response to the question we have been working on in class. “Young men go to war because it provides them with the opportunity for adventure.” To what extent is this borne out by Peter Weir’s film, “Gallipoli”? In your response you must discuss the way the film positions viewers to understand its message. Post to your blog before Tuesday's lesson.

Peter Weir’s film, “Gallipoli”, portrays a sense of adventure that motivates several young men to go to war in a large extent. However, the audience are also positioned to understand that not all men perceive war as a resplendent journey but are instead influenced by other reasons. The way Weir positions the reader to convey the sense of adventure in the film is through the characterisation of a free spirited boy called Archie. Whilst Archie's role and the message he portrays is significant in the film, other characters such as Frank is also important as he brings out the contrast between him and Archie. Frank's idea of war differentiates from Archie's as he is more aware that war takes away countless precious lives from young men. In addition, the audience are led to acknowledge how war can cause a massive impact hence change a man's life through the last few scenes of the film.