Acclaimed as one of Australia's finest cinematic achievements, Peter Weir's Gallipoli is an extraordinarily moving anti-war film that, while shot at an epic proportion, is a personal, endearing portrait of two young Australians. Archy (Mark Lee) and Frank (Mel Gibson) come from opposite ends of the social spectrum. Still, they, like 300,000 other Australians, find unity in their compulsion to seek out adventure and competition in a foreign land. Not essentially a "war film," it is a film about war. Weir has been careful to avoid dismissing the tragic tale of Australia's ill-fated attempt to gain control of the Dardanelles as a mere action film. Instead, he emphasises the journey (both physical and mental) of the two main characters.