The Lighthorsemen

In 1917, British forces in Palestine are stalled before Gaza, unable to break through the Turkish and German defensive line. The plan that emerges is a surprise flank attack on Beersheba, a strategic town two days' ride across desert from the nearest water. The Australian Light Horse regiment is given the task: the horses cannot survive longer without water, so if the town is not taken, there is no way back. Among the troopers are Frank, Scotty, Tas and Chiller; when Frank is wounded, a young replacement named Dave Mitchell joins them. A skilled marksman, Dave is troubled by doubt about firing on other men, and has to prove himself to his comrades during a German air attack. He is also drawn to Anna, a nurse he meets while recovering.

Simon Wincer directed the film, his fourth of thirteen features, following D.A.R.Y.L. in 1985 and preceding Quigley Down Under in 1990, from a screenplay by Ian Jones. Peter Phelps heads a credited cast of 67 as Dave Mitchell, with Shane Briant as the German officer Reichert.

The Australian production had a budget of about 11 million dollars. It holds a rating of 6.8 out of 10 on IMDb from roughly 2,200 votes, and 6.1 out of 10 on TMDB from about 40 votes, while the critics' score stands at 6.5 out of 10 from seven reviews. Audience and critical responses therefore sit in similar territory, with the larger IMDb sample indicating a moderately positive reception.