Forty Thousand Horsemen

Forty Thousand Horsemen (aka 40,000 Horsemen) is a 1940 Australian war film directed by Charles Chauvel. The film tells the story of the Australian Light Horse (mounted rifleman as distinct from cavalry) which operated in the desert at the Sinai and Palestine campaign during World War I. It follows the adventures of three rowdy heroes in fighting and romance. The film culminates at the Battle of Beersheba which is reputedly "the last successful cavalry charge in history". The film was clearly a propaganda weapon, to aid in recruitment and lift the pride of Australians at home during World War II. It was one of the most successful Australian movies of its day. It was later remade in 1987 as The Lighthorsemen. From the Prologue to the movie When Germany stretched greedy hands towards the Middle East in the war of 1914–1918, a great cavalry force came into being. They were the men from Australia and New Zealand – The ANZACS – the "Mad Bushmen" – the men from "Downunder". Call them what you will – their glories can never grow dim.