“GALLIPOLI”

Due to its historical importance The Gallipoli Campaign has been the focus of many successful documentary films from many different countries in the past. Most of these films have focused on a particular side of the campaign and told the story through the perspective of one or two countries.  But, in order to truly capture the spirit of the campaign and the experience of the soldiers, the filmmakers behind “Gallipoli” decided to tell the story simultaneously from the perspective of all sides and tried to capture the human dimension within the general structure of the campaign.

The war itself is the only enemy in this film. The Gallipoli Campaign is told through the diaries and letters of 2 British, 3 New Zealand, 3 Australian and 2 Turkish soldiers.   The documentary aims to portray the historical importance of Gallipoli based on facts and from the perspectives of these soldiers who are representative for the thousands of soldiers from both sides. It is their common experience and it is their story.

Written and directed by Tolga Örnek, the film is produced by an experienced international team. The producer of the film is Hamdi Döker who has previously produced several successful international films in Europe and around the world; research coordinator is Dr. Feza Toker, director of photography is Volker Tittel, production designer is Oliver Munch. The film’s voice over talent includes international stars such as Jeremy Irons and Sam Neill, as well as many talented American, Australian, and British actors. Turkish narration was provided by the prominent Turkish stage and film actor Zafer Ergin.

Special Effects have been designed by Karl-Heinz Boching, and the film’s original music has been composed by Demir Demirkan. The consultants for the film include the top experts in their field such as:  Les Carlyon, Kenan Çelik, Ashley Ekins, Peter Stanley, Peter Hart, Norman Itzkowitz, Robin Prior, Christopher Pugsley, and Nigel Steel.  Australian military historian Brad Manera, an expert on costumes and weapons traveled to Turkey during the main shoot to check the historical accuracy of every item and scene that was being filmed as part of the production.

Premiers and Special Shows

Gallipoli” has been premiered in Istanbul, Turkey on March 15th and in Gallipoli on March 17th. It has been theatrically released in Turkey on March 18th for the 90th anniversary of the Campaign. This was followed by several special screenings around the world: on April 13th at the Imperial War Museum in London; on April 18th at Te Papa-The National Museum of New Zealand-in Wellington; on April 21st, 22nd, and 24th at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra; on June 6th in Washington, DC. The film was also released theatrically in Germany, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, London, and France as well as in Australia and New Zeland. It has been broadcast on History Channel (Australia and New Zealand), Maori TV. It’s Turkish broadcast on October 29, 2006 yielded the day’s second highest ratings.