Director
Kriv Stenders
(RED DOG, RED DOG: TRUE BLUE, AUSTRALIA DAY)

Stars
Travis Fimmel, Anthony Hayes, Richard Roxburgh, Daniel Webber, Nicholas Hamilton, Luke Bracey, Matt Doran and Stephen Peacocke

Inspired by a true story, this Australian war film chronicles a fight for survival against all odds. It is August 18, 1966 in the South of Vietnam where 2,000 experienced soldiers from North Vietnam descend upon a rubber plantation called Long Tan. Standing in their way are 108 young and mostly inexperienced Australian and New Zealand soldiers, who have been sent there by Major Harry Smith (VIKING’s star, Travis Fimmel).

If there is just one attribute that DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN is reliant on, it’s the building of momentum. During its opening act where momentum is yet to be formed, this Aussie war movie can be a little distancing. As the sound of enemy attack nears, but hasn’t yet targeted the young soldiers, the script brings out the rebelliousness and cheek of these young men more so than it lets us in on their innocence and fear. Though I’ve got little doubt that the behaviour we do witness is derived from being (understandably) afraid in such hostile and foreign territory, being able to perceive this mental fragility would have generated momentum much sooner. Furthermore, overseas audiences may struggle with some of the language used and accents spoken, particularly during scenes where combat can be heard in the foreground and background. Fortunately, DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN’s saving grace throughout earlier stretches is its stand-out cinematography and use of locations, which really are something to behold and always remain a prominent part of this film. As does the gloriously rendered and utterly powerful score too.

Once the soldiers and their enemies clash at Long Tan, DANGER CLOSE becomes an intermittently tense and action-packed drama. Though sometimes visually repetitious, the film’s momentum continues to grow as the shot-callers and major players of vital proceedings garner more screen time. A small handful of combat sequences during the final act are superbly executed by Kriv Stenders that manage to distinguish themselves from all others too. By the end of this overall very good film, if the fate of some of these young men doesn’t touch you, then please ensure you remain seated for some important last words to appear on-screen that will leave a very sombre feeling indeed.

3 ½ stars

Viewer Discretion
MA15+ (Strong war themes and violence)

Trailer
DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN

Moviedoc thanks Transmission Films for the invite to the screening of this film.

DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN is released in cinemas throughout Australia from August 8th, 2019.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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