Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

There's not much wrong with this film, but don't get taken in by the hyperbole in a lot of the reviews here. It certainly isn't a 10/10, and it isn't the greatest war film ever made - it's not even close to that. It's a solid, watchable film, about a real event that means a lot to Australian and Kiwi forces.

There's some decent action sequences, although I'd credit the Vietcong with slightly better tactics than simply running blindly towards automatic weapons, which seems to be the default for most of the film. You can also have fun ticking off the war film cliches - likeable character talking about what he's going to do when all this is over - check, man in desperate situation calling in fire support on his own position - check.

If you want an independent film that might actually be one of the greatest war films ever made, I'd strongly recommend Kajaki - this really isn't in the same league, good though it is.

This film shows how brutal the battle is. The terrifying waste of lives is very sad. I can't stop the tears, even after the film finished. I think this is a must see film for everyone.

Close calls and other things that indicate that danger is ... well close by. As the title already tells you, this is about the Battle of Long Tan. I was not really aware of that battle or what went down and who won (no pun intended). And I did not just pick this from my Prime to watch because one very well known Vikings actor is in it. It was fun to see him in something else than in a Vikings setting though.

And he is front and center again in this one. He has to make decisions that have impact on not just him and his crew, but many others. Now war movies are tough to watch - but if they are as well made as this one, they are also quite beautiful (and yes I'm aware of the irony, especially in this very vivid effort, that shows us the repercussions)! For some this may feel a bit over the top at places, but overall it does stay grounded. And has us in the middle of it all ... not for the faint of hearted for sure

As movies about real battles go, this one holds its own.

If I have a criticism it would be what director Kriv Stenders himself was worried about when he showed the film to the real Harry Smith and veterans of the battle. Stenders was concerned "... that a cinematic interpretation of the film, overdramatizing some moments and fictionalizing others, would be an issue with veterans of the battle".

Although Harry Smith told Stenders he thought the film was great, I feel those scenes, especially the exchanges between Major Smith (Travis Fimmel) and Private Large (Daniel Webber), the stereotypical "Hollywood" stuff, do sound a false note. However, the film is a technical triumph with a superb score and, for the most part, seems honest to events.

The film is similar to Mel Gibson's "We Were Soldiers": the unexpected enemy force; the cut-off platoon; helicopter pilots defying orders to provide aid and impressive firepower that doesn't overshadow the discipline and guts of the troops on the ground. Both were straightforward battles without civilians caught in the crossfire.

As an Australian, I'm not sure how non-Australian audiences will view "Danger Close". The accents could be challenging and the look of the Australians and New Zealanders is noticeably different to the helmeted U.S. Army and Marines familiar from documentaries and newsreels. Ever since the war, the respective tactics of the allies have been dissected in books and back-and-forth sessions on military history blogs. The Diggers of that era actually looked like the U.S. Army LRRPs or even the VC; styled for jungle warfare.

Another thought, a great victory is only in proportion to the toughness of the enemy. All accounts I've read also acknowledge the bravery of the Vietnamese. You do see it in the film, but it could have been stated.

Despite the rights and wrongs of Australia's involvement, Long Tan has emerged as one of our most iconic battles. Maybe it's partly guilt over the way Vietnam veterans were neglected for so long. Maybe it's also because not much was expected of the "Baby Boomers", but they stood up nonetheless.

Like Peter Weir's "Gallipoli", "Danger Close" will probably be how future generations will know this battle. With that in mind, the filmmakers and the stars, despite the odd flaw, have left us with a powerful and affecting experience.

I volunteered on 28 Oct 66 and did not make Vietnam until 1967-68. I only saw a hand full of Diggers.

During the battle of Long Tran, 108 Australian and New Zealand soldiers held off a North Vietnamese force of over 2000. 18 Australians and an estimated 245 Vietnamese lost their lives.

The terrain and the artillery pieces looked quite different as they are shown in the movie. Filming Locations: Village Roadshow Studios, Oxenford, Queensland, Australia. The SLR rifles looked real, but the M16s were not E-1s or E-2s; actually, the 16 rifles were not introduced to the Australian Army until 1967. You could use the flash suppressor of the E1 to break the bands on "c-ration" cases. I still have an AR15.

However, this is a movie, and it does not have to be factual. It is the people integration that makes or breaks this movie for the viewer. Oh, yes and there is a lot of action for those that like a lot of action.

Talking about action, we get an APC charge that looks like Tarzan and the elephants at the last minute. The only problem with that is that no one would be caught in an APC. We always rode on top (usually including the driver) as one good RPG shot would burn a good two-inch hole in the aluminum hull on its way through. I had to clean up body parts from an RPG that went through the driver and into the engine compartment taking a lot of drivers with it.

The U. S. military was not as professional at the time, but they were disciplined and not arrogant as the soldiers in this movie are portrayed.

You get to hear "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" Artist: Nancy Sinatra Release year: 1966

"He's my Blond-Headed, Stompie-Wompie, Real Gone Surfer Boy" (1964) Emmy Dougall played the singer Little Pattie

Also, you get to hear "I was only 19 (a Walk in the Light Green)" by John Schumann.

In memory of those members of D COY and 3TP IACP Sqn who gave their lives during the Battle of Long Tan on 18th August 1966.

To make the movie entertaining they added fictional characters and incidents.

Be sure to watch the credits.