Directed by J. E. Mathews Release date 24 April 1916 Country Australia Director J. E. Mathews | Starring Martyn Keith Running time 4,000 feet Initial release 1916 Cast Martyn Keith | |
Language Silent film
English intertitles Production company Fraser Film Release and Photographic Company People also search for The Rebel, The Unknown, Remorse, a Story of the Red Plague | ||
Murphy of Anzac is a 1916 Australian silent film directed by J. E. Mathews. It tells the story of John Simpson Kirkpatrick during the Gallipoli Campaign in World War I. It is considered a lost film.
Contents
Plot
John Simpson Kirkpatrick, aka "Murphy", an English emigrant to Queensland, enlists in the army in World War I and is attached to the ambulance corps. On the voyage over he discovers a traitor (Martyn Keith) giving information to the enemy by wireless and overcomes him. The Australian troops land at Gallipoli and Murphy brings the wounded back from the trenches on his donkey. He is killed by a Turkish shell while rescuing his 104th man.
A highlight of the film was the German spy being thrown off a cliff 50 foot into the water.
Production
The cast was largely returned servicemen. The technical adviser was Gallipoli veteran, Corporal Robson, who had known Simpson, and also appeared in the film.
Reception
The film ran for six weeks in Sydney and nine weeks in Melbourne.
Historical Accuracy
The film was criticised at the time by Gallipoli veterans for a number of historical errors including showing: