Critics have previously claimed that screening the film to students borders on torture

In an act of unprecedented kindness by the Australian government, school children will no longer be forced to endure Peter Weir's 1981 war film Gallipoli as part of their secondary education studies.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations today announced the changes as part of the new national modern history curriculum, which has been welcomed strongly by academics and historians alike.

The film, starring a young Mel Gibson, focuses on the story of two Australian soldiers sent to Turkey during the First World War. While lacking in historical detail and accuracy, main criticisms of the film focus on poorly written dialogue and the fact that 'Mad' Max Rockatansky was suddenly enlisted in the Australian Army. A distinct lack of motorcyles and high performance vehicles have also been cited as reasons for the films removal from Australian classrooms, along with the fact that Mel Gibson features predominantly.

The decision comes too-little too-late for many past students however, forced to sit through the 110 minute ordeal as part of their studies. Experts in adolescent behaviour noted high levels of boredom and indifference in students exposed to the film, with no effect on their historical knowledge of the Gallipoli campaign or ANZAC history.

Gibson meanwhile has issued no official statement in regards to the changes, although sources reveal he is blaming on the move on a 'worldwide Jewish conspiracy'.

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