I wish they had shown it on TV here in the U.S. I found it on YouTube and thought it was great. Not getting the credit it deserves on some reviews.People expect a Band of Brothers series on a fraction of the budget that it had.This was Excellent

With last year's 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, and moving towards the 100th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli next month, the past six months have seen some very good TV drama on a conflict which has previously seen little attention except for the odd documentary. "Gallipoli" has followed on the heels of "Anzac Girls", which gave us the till now unsung story of the nurses accompanying the ANZAC troops in the First World War, whose bravery and contribution has been largely ignored. "Anzac Girls" set an impressive standard; "Gallipoli" has certainly kept that up.This British-led campaign to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915 was largely written off by Britain and France as a succession of blunders, and an escapade best forgotten; in contrast, it is seen by Australians and New Zealanders as a national 'baptism of fire' that consolidated the process of forging two new, young nations into what they would become. The sufferings and huge per capita numbers of casualties became a source of pride, such that Anzac Day (the anniversary of the first landings on 25 April) has been observed since the end of that war as a national day of commemoration in both nations. We should also not forget how important it was for the Turks too, who saw it similarly as the catalyst for the birth of their modern Turkey under their Gallipoli hero, Kemal Ataturk.So how can you do a national legend justice in film and TV? Previous efforts have often been weighed down by an often awkward tweaking of history to create clear goodies and baddies (incompetent, mostly British generals filling this role). One reviewer on this webpage complains that not enough is seen of the New Zealanders, that even though New Zealand characters do come into the story there is not enough of their story told. Another mildly criticises the depiction of the Turks and similarly calls for more emphasis. But essentially this miniseries views the campaign not through a wide-angle lens, but through one with a fairly narrow focus. The story is experienced through the eyes of a small group of fictional Australians sharing a journey through an increasing hell, the likes of which none of them had ever anticipated. That's why the focus is reasonably narrow, and it's all the better for telling this story.That lens is also a zoom lens, however; and at times we zoom back out to follow the true experiences of the war correspondents covering the campaign, who want to tell the real story of the military disaster unfolding, but can't because of military censorship. And finally, the zoom pulls back to the last group of fleshed-out characters - the remotely located (and minded) General Staff officers, who have more understanding of the tactics, logistics and considerations of the classical Greek and Trojan heroes of their public school education than of the new modern warfare they are supposed to be managing.It is impressive that the overall excellent writing and direction constructs even these situationally incompetent officers as real, layered characters. So even when the completely out of his depth General Sir Ian Hamilton is relieved of his command and recalled to London in quiet disgrace, he still evokes sympathy - even though we have been wishing for this moment since the first episode. And the scripted criticism is for once even-handed: inflexible and initiative-lacking Australian officers who cause the useless deaths of many Aussies are depicted as equally culpable, in contrast to some earlier productions that diverted blame to the British.The script, written by Christopher Lee (and adapted from Les Carlyon's history of the campaign), is mostly very well-crafted and leaves just enough unsaid. Certainly, the subplot of the 'love triangle' between Tolly, Bevan and Celia seems a bit of an intrusion at first. But if you watch to the end this becomes a unifying theme, and the key to Tolly's actions. And it is resolved finally in the most low-key, unexpected, but satisfying way.Glendyn Ivin's direction is adventurous - including his direct-to-camera looks by lead actor Kodi Smit-McPhee at significant points in the narrative. Potentially dangerous cinematically, but so appropriate here. All is backed up by the excellent cinematography of Germain McMicking and the beautifully evocative score by Stephen Rae, which complement each other and the action just so fittingly.Acting was uniformly excellent. I can't think of anyone who could garner a negative comment, and particularly impressive were Kodi Smit-McPhee as Tolly and John Bach as General Sir Ian Hamilton.It is a testament to just how well this script has brought to life characters for whom we come to deeply care, that we are left wondering in the end what the writer's thoughts might have been as to whether our remaining fictional heroes would have survived the campaign on the Western Front they were soon to join. And whether they would finally have returned home to build the lives that were suggested they might have.Even the weaving of a bullet into this interesting tapestry and its literal resurfacing in the end create an entirely appropriate epilogue.

First of all, Gallipoli campaign was one of the most epic battle in WWI. As we all know the total casualties of both side almost 500.000 man including my grandfather's uncle. Considering these informations, the series look like pale in comparison to reality mostly because of the budget i suppose. if they could manage to increase the budget it would be much more satisfying, so we don't have to see maximum 15 dead body lying down in a battle like that.I also made a quick research about the casts, especially the Turkish actors. And I never heard of them before. I made this research because of their accent, I am Turkish but some of them did not even sound like Turk.There are lots of Turkish actors which can participate in a production like this and that would be much better. Also I think that the actor, who plays Mustafa Kemal is a bit inadequate and doesn't look like him as well.So in conclusion, while the main characters and the Australian & New Zellander characters are well placed and good in acting, Turkish characters are not. Musics are so so, could be better. And the story looks like progressing well for now.

Wow. This just got better and better. It must have been hard to have re-created such a difficult story of the Gallipoli battlefields. I have to say I was extremely impressed. The young actors were wonderful and very true to what I am sure a lot of these characters were like. I knew some of them as old men.You really felt like you were there. To see what these poor buggers went through really went right to the heart. The director and scriptwriter managed to tell the whole story as it truthfully happened and apparently it was approved by the Australian War Memorial for being factual. I did not fully understand till now just how it all unfolded, but to see this series made it all very simple to understand just what happened. I think this should be shown in all Australian High Schools. I had always heard about the Battle of Lone Pine but when I saw this portrayal I was so shocked. Also what happened to the New Zealanders should never have happened. I think the English people should see it also as it showed a loyal bunch of Australians and New Zealanders giving their lives and losing them so a stuck up English General could add another medal on his chest.I could not believe that this was being lied about to the Australian Prime Minister. And I was very surprised when the Aussie journalist Murdoch and his British counterpart decided to write and inform their leaders of the truth. Upon reading the letter which was circulated far and wide, the troops were finally withdrawn. Amazing story and very well told with this brilliant mini series.