Czech poster for Gallipoli

It might be just a piece of paper, but the role of a poster in film distribution terms is powerful. Film posters are used as a key promotional tool for the theatrical release of a film – and they can be designed to target a specific country's audience. For that reason, a film might have two completely different posters for its release in two different countries. This Czech poster for Peter Weir's classic feature Gallipoli is of interest because it shows how the film was marketed to a Czech audience in 1981. In the poster, enormous cracks in the earth and a giant arrow point to Gallipoli, which gives 'no man's land' an otherworldly feel and hints at the film's dramatic tone. The film was a hit upon its 1981 release in Australia and also drew international acclaim. It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and showcased Mel Gibson’s acting talents before Mad Max 2 (AKA The Road Warrior) made him a global star.