Perigo Iminente

Up front I love history and know this story quite well. So for me I felt I was flicking in and out of a documentary verses a movie. Normally this is ideal for me but while still impressed I felt it stopped short of all time great.

I will be watching again mainly to figure out what was missing but still a great film for anyone who loves reasonably accurate and terrifying historical situations. The battle scenes were incredible and the linking of the NZ artillery was exceptional.

I don't view historical films as a statement on the rights and wrongs of the time so it felt real to me from the perspective from which it was told.

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.

It was very interesting and I feIt to be directly on the battle field. I bought the dvd cause i have read many good reviews about this true Vietnam war movie. The special effects were really well done and the soldiers delivered a top performance. The cinematography is very good too. The story shows how the very young Australian army planned the combat against the Vietcongs. Don't miss this if you are interested in this genre of films. Check the other one with Mel Gibson We Were Soldiers. 7/10.

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.

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.