Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

Went to the first public screening at the Sydney Film Festival tonight with members of my family and sat in the front row in a packed cinema. Director Kriv Stenders has taken a big undertaking in telling this highly recognised Australian and New Zealand battle of the Vietnam War that has however been long overdue in getting a major screen treatment. He has succeeded brilliantly. The film's relentless action and attention to detail are mixed in with moving scenes of young conscripts and volunteer soldiers grappling to stay alive in order to return to their loved ones at home. Much like Peter Weir's Gallipoli the mateship ethos shines in this movie. However, unlike that film, most of Danger Close concentrates on the battle itself, and what a technically amazing film it is in presenting and creating a visceral and tense atmosphere for the audience.The performances are excellent all round but particular mention must go to Daniel Webber as Private Paul Large, his moving portrayal of a young conscript struggling and battling courageously to help his mates and himself survive, while looking forward to returning home to his fiance and family is brilliant. As noted earlier the action in this film is relentless, from start to finish, however it never ignores the humanity and futility of war through the loss of life of many young soldiers. The roll call of ANZAC soldiers who died in the battle, noted at the end of the film with their ages, makes that abundantly clear. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

The movie took a little while to get to the action, making the beginning a little boring; they also didn't add in any background story to the main characters in the film, which down graded it a little more. But Once the movie picked up and you got to the battle scenes it turned into a good war film. It was very intriguing to know that this was based off of a true event that happened. Knowing that it was true made it worth while to watch. The filming was great and the actors were extremely believable. The war scenes were greatly filmed and action packed as the explosions and gun fire looked extremely real. It's defiantly worth a watch if you like war movies.

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.

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.