CANAKKALE 1915 isn't a great film, to be honest; rather obvious CGI effects cannot obscure the fact that there are few actors and a minimum of props available. There are a few obvious anachronisms: the British commanders are played by Turks with American accents talking about "the get-go" rather than "the beginning" of the military campaign - a phrase certainly not in use in 1915. But these are minor quibbles in a film that not only celebrates the unity of the Turkish nation, with everyone - men, women and children - playing their part in the war-effort, but suggests that success in battle came from a shared sense of purpose: no one was going to colonize Anatolian territory. With God's help, and a considerable amount of military know-how from Mustafa Kemal - later to become Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic - the Turkish army succeeded in their campaign against apparently impossible odds. The film suggests that national unity is as important today as it was nearly a century ago, as a way of defending oneself against invaders. At times we understand just how important such values as patriotism, the family, and religion are to members of the Turkish nation - values that, in parts of the west at least, are often overlooked.
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gordonl5623 May 2015CANAKKALE 1915 (Gallipoli) – 2012
This one is about the Gallipoli Campaign as seen from the Turkish point of view. It is based on a popular Turkish historical novel of the same name.
The film covers the Battle of Gallipoli from the start of the Allied Naval attack, to the withdrawal of the Allies. It follows several Turkish soldiers and officers as they fight through said battle. The movie works in several famous Turkish heroes from the actual battle into the narrative.
The film has some good points, like the well done battle scenes etc. The Turks, lacking any real artillery support, had to resort to human wave attacks to stop the Allies. The hot climate, the stench of rotting corpses, the flies, lack of food and clean water are all shown. There is some pretty good attention to period detail, weapons etc. The CGI effects are decent, particularly when showing the Naval actions. A plus, is that quite a few actual locations were used for the production. It looks like they combed through all the museums to dig up period artillery and the like.
There are also some bad points to the production. First is the music, it is a bit over the top, and makes one think you are watching a Turkish version of "Braveheart". Then, there is the endless patriotic speeches given by various Turkish officers and men. Every time there is a break in the battle, everyone gathers and talks about how great it is to fight and die for their country. It was like watching a Soviet era war film. Fight for the motherland and the like.
If the writing had been tightened up, the flag waving scenes less numerous, it would have been better.
Having said that, I still give the film an overall A for effort. I was entertained. -
hcemsipsi31 May 2013I like to film.Because I am from turkey and film is a realistic.
This film is a moving and action.Film's story is a gripping.
Turkey soldiers won the war and they was a successful.But a lot of people died.
We saw Turkey soldiers helpful in the film.This film used special effects.
Everything very good.
I think everybody should watch this film.Because everybody should know Turkey history.I understood bad the war in the film.
I think this film is better than some history film. -
furkanov30 October 2012I had big expectations before i see this movie, if you can call it a movie because this is more likely a documentary.
Because of this movie was based on a book from a famous writer, with its big budget about 10 million Turkish Liras (it may not be an expensive film for a Hollywood making, but it is for Turkish movies) i was thinking that i was going to watch a good story.
After first 10 minutes, i understood that it was just an empty movie with its amateur dialogues, slipshod costumes and really annoying and poor musics. There was only 5 crowded scenes, and two of them were copy of each others.
Before i start reviewing this film, i thought the only good thing about this movie was good intentions for making it, but when i rethink all the pain and suffering i had while i was watching it, i now begin to think it was only another trap to pull the audience to cinema saloons. And if you want Turkish cinema to develop and improve, please don't make the mistake i made and don't go to movies like this one. Big disappointment! I give it a 2/10, and this score of 2 is not for the movie, only for its name. -
ccozkaraca18 February 2014The scenario is from the book "Canakkale 1915 Dirilis". So far it is the best movie ever made about the Gallipoli Campaing. Turgut Ozakman says "It took fifty years to write this book!" He has search every detail about what happened during this war. Not only from Turkish side, also he has searched from the Britisih, Anzac and French sides.
Personally i loved this movie. Of course there are some parts could be better. Especially CGI parts needs a lot of work. But still many many thanks to writer, producer, director, players and everyone who worked for the movie.
History will always remember you with our loving hero's! -
HI All,
I just created an account to write my first review. I felt the urge to do so after watching this movie.
I just about had it with the emotional milking of Turkish pride in such movies. If you can't bring the story that, millions within the nation cherish, and produce crap I can only think of one thing: "$ signs" by abusing history!!
The movie lacks everything: Plot/Script/Actors/Story/Suspense/Etc.
I hate it to be negative towards a movie that carries a Historical Title such as this one! As it is the start of Turkey as we know it today.
When watching the movie, you have the feeling that someone got hold of the remote and is skipping chapters (like pulling a prank). There is absolutely no story or building up tension in any of the scenes. Things just happen without a real story behind it. It feels like the message is; You now the story, fill the gaps! Why did you film this piece of mischief then?
No character building of any kind! If I cannot connect, I cannot get emotionally attached. For that to happen, you have to build up the character(s) and his/their stories.
I have to use two spoilers to be more specific:
1. the scene where they blow up a general and his staff right after the "Bayram Namazi"....what the?? How, who, why....I''m not stupid and capable and educated enough to answer those questions, but that is not the point here. Why did he not build up the tension of plotting and planning of the enemy! build up the tension as if someone is about to notice or the enemy will give away their position or plan by a mistake. Build the moment up! Drag me into it! Let me relive the moment!
2. The scene with the torpedo's. Same situation again....How did they do it. What did they feel. How did they prepare themselves. Build up the tension as if any minute anything can go wrong. Show how the enemy notices them and the actions and interactions between them form both perspectives etc. etc. etc.
Actually too many to list here....unfortunately. Like the scene where Onbasi Seyit carries the Shell on his own while the rest is watching how he does it?? This is absolutely not how I imagined the scene and it looked ridiculous. And the blood?? Why? Does that add more drama? Not in my opinion!
I really hope that one day someone will succeed to create a blockbuster movie of the rich history from the Turkish Nation (not intending to start a political discussion here!), But don't try to squeeze the complete story in a 90 minute movie! It should not be quantity over quality. If this movie would have told a fraction of the historical event, well executed and more focus on characters and evolving story by building up to a climax, it would excite people just enough so that they would start looking for answers and for the rest of the story. This approach, if executed well, could have created the urge among the viewers to start looking and demanding for the next part of the story!
UGI signing off........ -
tfun-5259112 September 2018Very succesfull Production...I like this movie soo much...It shows us the real facts of the ww1 Canakkale battle....!!!! CONGRADULATIONS MR.TURGUT OZAKMAN.....!!!
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asalxerath20 October 2019Greatest Canakkale movie I have ever watched. Full of historical motivation and sadness. The movie tells us how we won the war with help of small things aganist the 7 nations. I was nearly crying when watching the Seyit Onbasi' s scene. If you are interested in history movies, you must watch it.
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The nearest turkish movie to "Saving Private Ryan". What is sensational in this movie is the documented wars by day, time, month, names of commanders, constant siege enforced by the allies forces over the ottoman army, how truly the ottoman soldiers survived and fought until the last soul against the invading troops, despite of the weak reinforcements, and of course in the year 1915. A lot of scenes is as close as to realism like "Saving Private Ryan". But, I felt There is something strange in my body when the ottoman soldiers were screaming "Allah Akbar Allah Akbar", somewhat like a shudder and dapomaine realeased in my head. Really, Great. I recommend this movie. I swear I'm not from Turkey, but we have gotta be honest before the history. If you wanna know exactly what occured in Galipoli, this movie is yours.