TD60 Posted 11 November , 2005 Share Posted 11 November , 2005 Hello In fact my today's activities were mostly turned towards WW1. Quite normal we are the 11/11 ! This morning commemoration at the local memorial in my village. This afternoon ceremony in Rethondes (were the armistice was signed). I have not seen any british there but there were some young military americans (full of medals: I suppose they did 6 or 7 wars !). Our Defense Ministry was there and many soldiers, some generals, old soldiers and ... many children of local schools. A pretty good ceremony indeed. I may post some pics later. Tonight I have seen GALLIPOLI of Tolga Ornek . It was the first day the fim was showed in France and the film maker was there to discuss with us before and after the film. This film is not really taking care of military maps tactic or strategy but speaks about some ordinary men + in fact a certain Mustapha Kemal. In fact the film is mainly based on diaries or letters of soldiers, turkish anzac or british. Their feelings at each stage of the battle are well transmitted by this approach. I wonder why soldiers do not say "stop ! we go back to house" or "no more arttacks" when I hear the terrific conditions of this battle. So many good boys for a so little result.... Any comments on that film ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john w. Posted 11 November , 2005 Share Posted 11 November , 2005 Am waiting to see the film in the uk John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzie Posted 12 November , 2005 Share Posted 12 November , 2005 It's been showing in Oz for about a week, and all I've heard are good to great reports. Can't wait to see it. Cheers Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicolas G. Posted 13 November , 2005 Share Posted 13 November , 2005 Hello ! Bonjour ! I was also at that preview and I highly recommend that documentary. The film is based on diaries but there is enough strategic information to understand the main background. So it was very informative. But the main interest is the tragic human experience… Everything is told in that documentary. I did also appreciate the way they mixed old films and photos with today views and reconstitutions. That was very well arranged. I mean that in some documentaries there are reconstitutions with actors or stunt playing what happen. It often seems too me a bit ridiculous. Here they choose to film in different ways. For example, about the landing, you don’t see soldiers shot falling in the water but just guns and packs sinking with bullet. The same way you see empty trenches with webbings. At the end of the film, there were not a lot of questions. Personally, I have nothing to ask. A very patriotic spectator asked why there was no French testimony and if he used the French archives. At first, I thought the question was a bit aggressive and silly as I believe that most of the French were in Turkey were not in Gallipoli (?). Tolga Ornek, not at ease with the question, explained he used some photos and that he didn’t find any diaries. But know I wonder if there is not in a slight proportion what historians name a source effect: many archives or diaries in English (because it was the language of Australians, New-Zealanders and British) so why digging in French archives not translated in English... Consequently, another remark, the documentary is also the result of a common work between Australians, British and Turks, no French associated and no money from them to pay the film… I am not bitter at all like the spectator who asked the question. The film was of such a quality that I don’t mind, I marked it 5/5 at the end. My reasonable thought, far from any controversy, is that IF French part is really under-estimated, it is one more time because of the “language barrier”. I am sure that many historians or in that case documentaries directors, highly qualified in their language, never tried to cross that barrier for many reasons. And so the spectators or readers may have a deformed sight of the reality. That reminds me of a certain battle of which many believed the French didn’t have a big role! Regards, Nicolas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicolas G. Posted 13 November , 2005 Share Posted 13 November , 2005 The trailers : 56 k http://cine.search.ch/tool/trailer.fr.php?...&movieformat=qt BB http://cine.search.ch/tool/trailer.fr.php?...&movieformat=qt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD60 Posted 13 November , 2005 Author Share Posted 13 November , 2005 Hello Nicolas So we were in the same room two days ago ! Your words about the film and the discussion after are very right and precise. About the participation of French I have several remarks (without being a specialist of Dardanelles Campagnes). a) The question about this participation was normal. There was very few words about their role on land. Some photos but you need to be careful to identify them. You are right this is probably because of the language barreer . Apparently level in French of the film maker does not give him the possibility to find, obtain and select french diaries or letters. Did he really ask support from french authorities ? not sure. The Gallipoli campaign is not a "myth" for frenchmen, generally speaking. It is for young nations as Australia and New Zealand a key event: one of those who creates a nation spirit. Like Verdun for us, but it was a victory then. For British army a major defeat given by a country not considered as a "leading" nation... Poor Turkish army repulsing British forces, the powerful army and navy of the coutry who leads the world ... I noticed also there were many soldiers coming from yeomanry units. Many young boys who before the war spent a part of their time for their country as volunteer. They lost many men in those battles. c) I think you are right the french soldiers were not only in Gallipoli but also on the other side of the Daradanelles. d) I wonder is the fights intensity was at ther same level for french soldiers than for brithish and ANZAC. When I heard the numbers of deads to try to take a place as large as a tennis court I measured how each meter was disputed between armies. Was this the same on the French Turkish lines ? Not sure. The bloodiest battles were on the British lines I think. Nevertheless I will try to documente myself a little more about the french role in the campagn on turkish land. Avec mes cordiales salutations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Plummed Goose Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Dear Pals, Tolga's film has now been released on DVD in Turkey to coincidence with the "18 mart", "the naval" victory. I am sure it will be available in other countries soon. eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Eric, Does the Turkish version have english subtitles? Trust your weather has improved!?? All the best, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzie Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Thanks, Eric. I didn't get too see it at a cinema so can't wait for the DVD. Cheers Kim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Plummed Goose Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Jonathan, It's a rather sophisticated piece of work because before you start playing it allows you to choose : English or Turkish. eric PS : Spring is very slow this year but yes ... the snow has cleared !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Plummed Goose Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Kim, I heard from Peter (bluedog) that it is due out on 6th April "down-under". Really a beautiful work of art ... eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 It's a rather sophisticated piece of work because before you start playing it allows you to choose : English or Turkish. It could be too sophisticated for me but i am willing to try. Do you know can i purchase this direct from Turkey online? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzie Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Should have thought April, with Anzac Day coming up. Silly me. Ta Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Plummed Goose Posted 19 March , 2006 Share Posted 19 March , 2006 Dear Jonathan, Not available on the net but I presume it will be shortly available in the UK too. eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 19 March , 2006 Share Posted 19 March , 2006 Dear Jonathan, Not available on the net but I presume it will be shortly available in the UK too. eric Thanks Eric ... gives me something to look forward to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 30 March , 2006 Share Posted 30 March , 2006 For those in Australia the Foxtel History channel is reportedly showing this show on April 25th. Cheers Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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