Danger Close (2019)

As a young veteran I can say that this movie is as close as any film you will see in terms of its accurate portrayal of real tactics and action scenes. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole way and it goes to show that Australians can make outstanding war films. It is not a glorification of war nor an exaggeration of the Australian heroics but instead shows that they hung in there and barely survived the whole ordeal. This film holds its own against any war movie ever made.

Fmovies: 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.

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.

Danger Close fmovies. 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.

Utterly captivating! A display of Australian cinematic brilliance with ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) pride, resolve and storytelling at its heart.

Considering the story follows fact not fiction, the cast and crew have paid their respect to history by delivering a stellar performance.

The score is a masterclass in atmosphere and suspense whilst the special effects and sets/costume design are as authentic and genuine as expected in this day and age. These aspects rival any Hollywood blockbuster yet do not distract from the content and character development throughout this story.

You stay engaged and enthralled through the entirety of the film and without giving anything away, I'll finish with a strong recommendation to watch this soon to be popular film about an unpopular war.

I left the cinema with such pride and belief in what it means to be Australian. This film deserves its place amongst the greats of the genre.

Australia has its own Steven Soderberg and Michael Winterbottom in Kriv Stenders. A director always on the go, taking on any genre from low to high budget and from art house to commercial hits. In Danger Close, (the battle of Long Tan during the Vietnam War), he creates a war film that plays on many levels, and this is my short twisted take on it, (with possibly some minor spoilers).

I felt like I was one of the soldiers in this battle because from the word go you are thrown into the chaos that is relentless, feeling the intensity that the soldiers had to endure. Yeah, I know I was in the comfort of the cinema, but the movie took over my senses with the haunting battle sounds, confronting images of impeding death and performances that drew you into the characters heart of darkness moment.

There were no laborious introduction scenes to characters outside the battle. The scriptwriters were clever enough to develop the characters during the lead up and the battle itself. Along the way they added small character revelations that made them humane and fragile. The most important factor was TRUST. Without it you would not follow your commander into battle. For Major Harry Smith it was trust that he had to gain from his young troops who at certain times had their doubts. Even trust of the artillery in the backline, firing heavy rounds that sometimes got to "danger close". But what I admired the most was the stance that some of the officers took in defying orders from above. Part of the larrikin Aussie attitude that saved many a life in the battle of Long Tan. (If only today we took that same ballsy attitude against certain politicians and their dumb ideas then this could be a better world.)

Hearing Travis Fimmel with an Aussie accent was a treat. Cast perfectly as Major Harry Smith, the unassuming hero of this brutal battle. And whenever Daniel Webber (Private Paul Large) came up on screen, I couldn't help but think of Sam Bottoms who played Lance in Apocalypse Now. Same demeanour (without being stoned!) and they almost came off as twins.

A top Australian production on all levels that is worth seeing on a decent large screen with big sound.