Keep up-to-date on your favourite artists and movies, track gig and release dates, and join in the conversation.
SEARCH RESULTS FOR
review, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, Danger, Close:, The, Battle, of, Long, Tan, film, movie, latest movies, new movie, movie ratings, current movie reviews, latest films, recent movies, current movies, movie critics, new movie reviews, latest movie reviews, latest movies out, the latest movies, review film, latest cinema releases, Australian reviews, home entertainment, DVD, Blu-ray film rating

DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN

CLOSE TO HOME

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW
LATEST REVIEWS
By Lily Meek
18th June 2019

Volunteering at the Sydney Film Festival brings an onslaught of energy, people, film buffs and, let's be honest, film snobs. After a jam-packed Saturday night, Sunday brought with it an even greater surge of people as popular hype, noise and whispers of anticipation lined the hallways of the Randwick Ritz. Literally, the queue was enormous.

No matter how busy things get, life tends to throw us subtle moments to smile about. On a crowded Sunday morning at the screening of 'Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan', such a moment occurred when the film's director Kriv Stenders ('Red Dog,' 'Australia Day') shook my hand and pointedly turned to the lady volunteering next to me and said, "I notice you." With two hours until the next half of our shift, it seemed suitable to support the man who showed the volunteers more courtesy than some of the attendees. The experience that followed was quite impactful.

'DANGER CLOSE: THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN' TRAILER

There have been many portrayals of the Vietnam War, but arguably none that focus on the ANZAC soldiers as exclusively as that of 'Danger Close.' Walking in and sitting down at the back of the cinema, choc top and popcorn in hand, it didn't occur to me how significant the film I was about to watch would be - emotionally and personally.

The greatest asset to this film is the amount of research poured into it. Being account-based, it relies on real, human and honest narratives to tell its story and connect with viewers. Martin Walsh's previous documentary 'The Battle of Long Tan' and all prior knowledge allowed for extensive and detailed portrayal of all men involved. Credit is also due to the writers: Stuart Beattie, Karel Segers, Jack Brislee, Paul Sullivan and James Nicholas for their factual portrayal, that whilst creating a dynamic story, paid homage to those deserving. As such, the film goes beyond being just another historical action film - it's a dedication to the men who fought, and to take it one step further, those who knew them. This is the power of 'Danger Close'. In its intricate display, immersion takes place - for the mothers, the fathers, the friends, the grandchildren. The end of the Vietnam War was less than fifty years ago and it is likely as an audience member that this film will offer you an empathetic avenue into understanding the hardships endured.

This film becomes more than entertaining gun sequences - it's effective in its weaponisation of empathetic values.

In discussion with people afterwards, it was enlightening to see how a film could extend the imagination of people watching - with mother's remarking, "all I could think about was - what if that were my son?" More personally, as a grandchild of a Vietnam War vet myself, it was emotionally grueling to witness on screen the weight of his past. It presented a forum of understanding for what he went through and how it created the man he is now. From Stenders' Q&A afterwards, a tentative nod to previous testimonies like this one would suggest the film is serving its purpose. This film becomes more than entertaining gun sequences - it's effective in its weaponisation of empathetic values. Educational in its portrayal of history, yet purposeful in how it conducts itself respectfully with the narrative of real people. Sure, it holds creative licence in moments where it seeks to entertain, but the filmmakers would be the first to admit this.

'Danger Close' is an epic recount of the Battle of Long Tan with no Hollywood exaggerations, no excuses for narrative cuts, and no colourful tie-ins. Stenders has created a film that explores inherent Australian values, history and entertainment - whilst encapsulating friendship, and a modernised respect to the ANZACs.

To celebrate the release of 'Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan' in cinemas, we're giving you the chance to win a double pass.

To win one of five double passes thanks to Transmission, just make sure you follow both steps:

1
Like our page on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
2
Complete your details below. Please note - if you provide incorrect or incomplete information, your entry will be invalid.
Please ensure the fields marked in red are completed.
How do you follow us?
Follow on Instagram
Competition opens at 5:00pm AEST on Sunday 28th July 2019 and closes at 11:59 pm AEST on Sunday 4th August 2019. Five winners will be chosen at random on Monday 5th August 2019. To successfully win, entrants must fulfil the above entry conditions before the time the competition closes. Current members/followers are eligible to enter the competition. Only one entry per person. Only one winner per household. To be a valid winner, the entrant must not have won a prize from SWITCH within the last 28 days. Each winner will receive one double pass to 'Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan'. By entering, you agree to receive occasional emails from SWITCH in the future. If you decide to unsubscribe from these updates, any further entries will not be applicable. Only Australian residents are eligible to enter.

FAST FACTS
RELEASE DATE: 08/08/2019
RUN TIME: 01h 58m
CAST: Travis Fimmel
Nicholas Hamilton
Richard Roxburgh
Luke Bracey
Daniel Webber
Myles Pollard
Anthony Hayes
Alexander England
Aaron Glenane
Lincoln Lewis
DIRECTOR: Kriv Stenders
WRITERS: Jack Brislee
James Nicholas
Karel Segers
Paul Sullivan
PRODUCERS: Martin Walsh
Michael Schwarz
John Schwarz
www.DangerCloseMovie.com
BattleOfLongTan
BattleofLongTan
DangerCloseMovie
© 2011 - 2023 SWITCH.
All rights reserved

Support SWITCH | Disclaimer | Contact Us!