Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
War drama

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019): Cast & Ratings

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019) movie poster

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan is a 2019 war drama directed by Kriv Stenders, starring Travis Fimmel as Major Harry Smith, Matt Doran and Andrew George. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and was made on a reported $24 million budget. Its Echo Score is 74/100.

Echo Score
74
budget
$24M
Loading streaming availability…
Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
Kriv Stenders
Genres
Drama , War , Action , History
Original language
English
Budget
$24M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan About?

The premise of Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 1966, during the Vietnam War, Australian and New Zealand troops are deployed to assist the United States and South Vietnam. A company of young, inexperienced soldiers faces a brutal and overwhelming battle at a rubber plantation called Long Tân. Severely outnumbered, these recruits and volunteers must summon incredible courage against a relentless enemy force determined to defeat them. The harrowing events of August 18th will test their resolve and expose them to the true horrors of war.

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Themes & Keywords

· 16 tags
  • 1960s
  • opening action scene
  • battle
  • epic battle
  • combat
  • bayonet
  • bayonet charge
  • attack
  • machine gun
  • anzac
  • war hero
  • young
+4 more
  • based on true story
  • vietnam war
  • battle of long tan
  • vietnam
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Cast & Characters

Travis Fimmel leads the cast as Major Harry Smith, with Matt Doran as Major Noel Ford and Andrew George as Major Owen O'Brien. Directed by Kriv Stenders; 59 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

· 55 more
Show all 59 cast members
From the director

More from Kriv Stenders

More films directed by Kriv Stenders, best-rated first: Danger Close, Kill Me Three Times, Slim & I and Brock: Over the Top.

Full filmography
Ratings

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

74 /100

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Echo Score Breakdown

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan delivers a solid war‑film experience anchored by proficient direction and vigorous action, though it is tempered by occasional formulaic beats and authenticity issues. Critics highlight its effective cinematography and tightly edited combat sequences, while users commend the visceral portrayal of battle. The film’s strengths in craft and emotional performances outweigh its narrative unevenness, resulting in an engaging, if not groundbreaking, depiction of the historic engagement.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    ART: The direction maintains a brisk tempo, guiding intense combat scenes with clear focus, while the cinematography captures the chaos through steady, gritty framing. Editing sustains momentum, stitching sequences into a cohesive whole. However, some reviewers note a reliance on artificial foliage and fog, suggesting lapses in production design authenticity. Overall, the craft presents a competent visual package.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    CHARACTER: Performances are consistently praised, with Travis Fimmel’s portrayal delivering emotional intensity and a strong central presence. Supporting actors contribute nuanced interactions that convey camaraderie and fear amid battle. The ensemble succeeds in humanizing combat without lapsing into caricature. No significant criticism of acting depth emerges, indicating a robust character-driven core.

  • Story & Flow 65

    STORY: The narrative delivers a fast‑paced recounting of the Long Tan clash, sustaining tension through relentless action. While the plot avoids overt sentimentality, critics observe formulaic beats that limit originality. User feedback mentions occasional meandering sections and repetitive gunfire, which dilute engagement. Consequently, the story is effective in moments but uneven overall.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    SENSORY: Sound design immerses viewers in the battlefield, with sharp gunfire and ambient jungle noises creating a visceral experience. The musical score underscores tension without overwhelming scenes. Visual style, marked by gritty color grading, reinforces the grim atmosphere, though some note incongruent Australian foliage that breaks realism. Overall, sensory elements enhance immersion despite minor authenticity lapses.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    REWATCH: The film’s relentless combat and authentic portrayal of soldier resolve make it appealing for repeat viewings, especially to enthusiasts of military history. Positive audience comments highlight its educational value and engaging action, while criticisms of pacing and authenticity may temper enthusiasm for some. On balance, the movie offers sufficient replay merit for interested viewers.

Plot

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Plot Summary

What happens in Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The movie begins with a tense mortar attack on the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) base at Nui Dat, carried out by the Viet Cong (VC) and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN). During this assault, Major Harry Smith, portrayed by [Travis Fimmel], remains remarkably composed under pressure, issuing commands for his troops to take cover and prepare for action. In stark contrast, some soldiers are shown disregarding the danger, amusing themselves with cards or drinking beer while the attack rages around them. The base manages to repel the mortar fire with counter-battery strikes, successfully neutralizing the enemy mortar crew.

Full summary

The whole story of Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the commanding officer of the 1st Australian Task Force at Nui Dat during the attack?

Cars

Cars in Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

5 cars on screen, including the FMC M113 A1 and the Land-Rover 109'' Series II.

All 5 cars
  • FMC M113 A1 in Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan FMC M113 A1 Important role
  • Land-Rover 109'' Series II in Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Land-Rover 109'' Series II Important role
  • International Harvester TD-9 in Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan International Harvester TD-9 Minor role
  • Land-Rover 88'' Series II in Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Land-Rover 88'' Series II Minor role
Details

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Danger Close - La battaglia di Long Tan” and “デンジャー・クロース 極限着弾”.

Also known as
  • Danger Close - La battaglia di Long Tan
  • デンジャー・クロース 極限着弾
  • Bitwa o Long Tan
  • Perigo Iminente
  • Опасная близость: Сражение при Лонгтане
  • 108悍將
  • Yakın Tehlike
  • Danger close: la batalla de Long Tan
  • Danger Close : The Battle of Long Tan
  • 댄저 클로즈: 롱탄 대전투
  • Опасна близост: Битката при Лонг Тан
  • Битва при Лонгтане
+10 more
  • 危机:龙潭之战
  • Danger Close - Die Schlacht von Long Tan
  • סכנה קרובה: הקרב על שזוף ארוך
  • Fenyegető veszély: A Long Tan-i csata
  • Danger Close: La battaglia di Long Tan
  • Nguy Hiểm Khép Lại: Trận Chiến Long Tân
  • สมรภูมิรบที่ลองเทียน
  • Vaarallisen lähellä
  • الهدف قريب: معركة لونج تان
  • Небезпечна близькість: Битва при Лонгтані

Seen Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan?

FAQ

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget and post-credit scenes of Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan?

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan released?

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan was released on June 15, 2019.

Who directed Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan?

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan was directed by Kriv Stenders.

More films by Kriv Stenders

Who is in the cast of Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan?

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan stars Travis Fimmel as Major Harry Smith, Matt Doran as Major Noel Ford and Andrew George as Major Owen O'Brien, among 59 credited actors.

What was the budget of Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan?

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan had a reported budget of $24 million.

Does Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan have a post-credit scene?

No. Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app