The Lighthorsemen
by Simon Wincer
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Product details
Actor: Di O'Connor, John Heywood, John Larking, Nick Waters, Peter PhelpsDirector: Simon Wincer
Cinematographer: Dean Semler
Producer: Simon Wincer
Producer: Antony I. Ginnane
Producer: David Lee
Producer: Ian Jones
Writer: Ian Jones
Producer: Jan Bladier
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: NTSC
Running Time: 131 minutes
Release Date: 1994-07-07
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Studio: Warner Home Video
VHS Movie Reviews of The Lighthorsemen
Movie Review: Must see movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the most exciting war time epics I have ever seen. Visually stunning with a memorable score by Mario Millo. This is the true story of the last mounted charge in history. Australian Lighthorsemen attack the German-Turkish stronghold at Beersheba during World War One. Excellent in every way, and one of the most exciting charge sequences ever committed to film.Movie Review: Being there.
Summary: 3 Stars
While I love this movie, I don't think it is as good as the Aussie classic,`Gallipoli'. Having said that, it holds a very special place in my heart.
When `The Lighthorsemen' premiered in Australia in I think, 1988, I was in the process of interviewing a dozen or so local First World War veterans (they are all gone now). One, Douglas Ellibank-Murray, rode with the 12th Lighthorse Regiment during WW1 and participated in the charge at Beersheba. He told a fascinating tale of his time with the 12th after having enlisted as a young drover (cowboy), along with his horse.
While Doug` was happy to speak about his service and the assault on Beersheba in particular, he would not talk about what happened when the Aussies reached the Turkish trenches. This, despite my persistent if gentle probing. I suspect that things happened there that Doug` wanted left alone. There has been talk of Turkish soldiers having `surrendered' then firing on the Australians. It has been reported that some arbitary executions were carried out in response.
One of my life's greatest pleasure was to accompany Doug to the movie's local premier where he was, of course, guest of honour. While quite frail, he appreciated all the attention, especially from the young ladies present. He was still a charming and quite handsome man, not unlike the 19 year old, blue eyed and blonde haired drover who had enlisted back in 1915.
I watched Doug closely out of the corner of my eye throughout `The Lighthorsemen' and the only time he appeared to become animated was when the actual charge was underway; he was moving about quite a bit and I suspect, he was there again.
After the movie, Doug offered a number of technical comments including the fact that the Turkish trenches were inaccurately portrayed as relatively straight, when in fact they were of saw-tooth construction.
The fate of the `whalers' (the name given to the horses, most of who had come from the AUSTRALIAN State of New South Wales). Many were in fact `put down' rather than end up pulling a `gypoe's' (Egyptian) cart in downtown Cairo. Doug was in a bit of a state worrying about what would happen to his own beloved horse until approached by a Britsh officer who had admired the horse and wanted to take it to his next posting in India to be used as a polo pony.
After assessing the `Pommy' officer and his handling of the horse, Doug agreed. The officer wrote to Doug for many years telling him about the horse which was eventually retired and died of old age in India.
Doug Ellibank-Murray was a lovely man and then a living legend of that famous day in October 1917.
Movie Review: Uncut Dvd Please!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
This film has long been a favorite for me, even without the 15 minutes an earlier reviewer described. There is no excuse for a beautifully filmed movie such as this not to be available on dvd in its entirety.Movie Review: Please release it on DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
This film needs to be released on DVD with anamorphic widescreen treatment. I'm so tired of waiting for it.Movie Review: One of the greatest cavalry charges ever
Summary: 5 Stars
As many other reviewers have pointed out this is a fantastic film and one that should be seen by anyone interested in horses in wartime. The real issue is how to see it at it's best. If you want to see all of it the only choice is the American release on laser disc. This is in the full original widescreen of 2.35:1, but of course has analogue video and on the big screen it is quite grainy. The recent Australian release on DVD is a disgrace. It has good digital video but is cut to 1.78:1 and critical parts of the film are of course cut off. They have minimised this slightly by opening up the top and bottom a little so I suppose the actual cut may be nearer 1.85:1 but the grand vistas REQUIRE the full 2.35:1. The famous charge looks ridiculous at the cut back ratio. One can only hope that whoever has the rights to this film in the US will do the right thing and give us a deluxe full size release as soon as possible. I am sticking to my LD despite it's shortcomings. The Australian DVD will be better than tape but whoever decided to issue it in such a truncated version should be ashamed of himself.
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