Gallipoli (1981)

 Director Peter Weir’s tale of war and friendship in 1915 – one of his very finest films – reaches a devastating finale in the clash between Australians and Turks on the shore of the Dardanelles. Mel Gibson’s race through the trenches with a crucial message – ignore the last order! – is more pulse-quickening than a dozen Bravehearts. You pray for him to beat that whistle every time. Harold Hopkins also stars.