True events? more like Contrived

Rating: 8/10 (3 April 2015)

The main problem with this movie is it opens with the premise based on true events and that is where the credulity of the audience is truly tested because the only true events is the battle of Gallipoli itself from then on in events take on an unbelievable journey. – The Director and writers must have thought how do I sell this better as its just another war film? I know say its based on true events – its how the Coens got away with making Fargo claiming it was based on a true story which it was later revealed was nonsense. However, like Fargo, the Water Diviner is a well made and well acted piece and worthy of praise for at least having a story albeit contrived. First we have a Father who travels to the Dardanelles to find his three sons presumed killed in action and he his thwarted in his efforts to go officially so unofficially turns up and as the ANZACs go to send him away a Turkish Major whom he later befriends changes their minds. The story then becomes even more contrived from then on in and I feel disappointed that it isn't true because there is nothing more than I would like for it to be so, as it is beautiful shot, there is a degree of realism in the barbaric nature of war. The battle scenes are gritty and a testament to many young men who thought and died for their Country. This film should be remembered for the fact that many men died for many Countries in the First World War and many families never had peace of mind to know whether their sons or Fathers survived as they were lost presumed dead and it is a fact that one such Father did try to establish where his son was killed at Gallipoli.