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

Characters & Themes

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 119 mins · English
Echo score 74
Directed by
Kriv Stenders
Starring
Aaron Glenane, Luke Bracey, Daniel Webber, Lasarus Ratuere, Travis Fimmel, Anthony Hayes
Budget
$24M

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.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (2)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019)

Where can you watch Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Fandango At Home, FlixFling and Google Play Movies: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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2 main characters · contains spoilers

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Major Harry Smith

    played by Travis Fimmel

    A composed and strategic leader, Major Smith demonstrates resilience and tactical thinking amidst chaos. He is committed to his men and refuses to abandon them, embodying the qualities of a courageous officer during wartime.

    • 🎖️ Leader
    • 💪 Resilient
    • 🌟 Determined
  • Private Large

    played by Daniel Webber

    A brave soldier who fights fiercely, Private Large shows dedication and courage despite the danger. His death highlights the costs of war and the sacrifices made by individual soldiers.

    • 🪖 Soldier
    • 💔 Brave
    • ❗ Sacrifice

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:41

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Setting

Where and When Does Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Take Place?

The setting of Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1966

The story is set during the Vietnam War in the 1960s, specifically around 1966. This period was marked by intense conflict between North Vietnamese forces and allied troops, including Australian soldiers, amidst political upheaval and widespread guerrilla warfare. The film reflects the challenges faced by soldiers during this tumultuous era.

Location

Nui Dat, Long Tân, Vietnam

The movie takes place primarily at the Nui Dat base and the Long Tân rubber plantation in Vietnam. Nui Dat served as a significant Australian military base during the Vietnam War, known for its strategic importance. The dense jungle setting is characteristic of the Vietnamese landscape and plays a crucial role in the guerrilla warfare depicted.

  • 🌳 Jungle
  • 🎖️ Battlefield
  • 🏞️ Rural Area

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:41

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3 major themes

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Courage

    The film highlights the bravery of soldiers facing overwhelming odds in Vietnam. Major Smith's leadership and the soldiers' determination emphasize themes of valor in war. The story showcases acts of heroism amid chaos and the high cost of combat.

  • Brotherhood

    The movie explores the strong bond between soldiers, underscoring loyalty and camaraderie in the chaos of battle. The soldiers rely on each other for survival, forming a deep connection forged through shared hardship. This unity becomes vital in their fight for survival.

  • Harsh Environment

    The depiction of monsoon weather and dense jungle emphasizes the difficult environmental conditions faced by the soldiers. These elements add to the chaos and danger, impacting tactics and morale. The natural environment plays a significant role in shaping the battle.

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:41

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Character & theme questions

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the movie take place?

The movie is set in Vietnam, primarily at the Nui Dat base and the Long Tân rubber plantation. Nui Dat was a significant Australian military base during the Vietnam War, while the dense jungle and rubber plantation environment plays a crucial role in the guerrilla warfare depicted.

  • nui dat
  • long tan
  • vietnam
  • setting
  • rubber plantation
Q2

When is the story set?

The story takes place in 1966 during the Vietnam War, a period marked by intense conflict between North Vietnamese forces and allied troops including Australian soldiers.

  • 1966
  • vietnam war
  • time period
  • 1960s
Q3

What was Nui Dat base?

Nui Dat served as a major Australian military base in Vietnam during the war. It held strategic importance and served as the operational headquarters from which Australian forces conducted missions into the surrounding countryside.

  • nui dat
  • australian base
  • vietnam war
  • military base
Q4

Who is Major Harry Smith?

Major Harry Smith is the commanding officer portrayed by Travis Fimmel. He is depicted as a composed and strategic leader who demonstrates resilience and tactical thinking amidst chaos. He is deeply committed to his men and refuses to abandon them, embodying the qualities of a courageous officer.

  • major harry smith
  • travis fimmel
  • leader
  • commander
  • officer
Q5

Who is Private Large?

Private Large, played by Daniel Webber, is a brave soldier who fights fiercely despite overwhelming danger. His character highlights the individual sacrifices made by soldiers in battle and the high cost of war.

  • private large
  • daniel webber
  • soldier
  • sacrifice
Q6

What are the main themes in the movie?

The film explores three primary themes: Courage, emphasizing the bravery of soldiers facing overwhelming odds; Brotherhood, showcasing the strong bond and loyalty between soldiers forged through shared hardship; and Harsh Environment, highlighting how monsoon weather and dense jungle conditions impact tactics and morale.

  • courage
  • brotherhood
  • themes
  • harsh environment
  • vietnam
Q7

What does the Courage theme represent?

The Courage theme highlights the bravery of soldiers facing overwhelming odds in Vietnam. Major Smith's leadership and the soldiers' determination emphasize valor in war, showcasing acts of heroism amid chaos and the high cost of combat.

  • courage
  • bravery
  • heroism
  • war
  • valor
Q8

What does the Brotherhood theme represent?

The Brotherhood theme explores the strong bond between soldiers, underscoring loyalty and camaraderie in the chaos of battle. The soldiers rely on each other for survival, forming deep connections forged through shared hardship that becomes vital in their fight for survival.

  • brotherhood
  • camaraderie
  • loyalty
  • soldiers
  • bond
Q9

How does the jungle setting affect the story?

The dense Vietnamese jungle and monsoon weather create dangerous environmental conditions that significantly impact the battle. These harsh elements add to the chaos and danger, affecting military tactics and soldier morale throughout the conflict.

  • jungle
  • environment
  • monsoon
  • weather
  • vietnam landscape
Q10

What was the Battle of Long Tan?

The Battle of Long Tan was a major engagement fought on August 18th, 1966, at a rubber plantation near Long Tân in Vietnam. Australian and New Zealand troops faced a large North Vietnamese force in what became one of the most significant battles involving Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War.

  • battle of long tan
  • 1966
  • australian soldiers
  • vietnam war
  • rubber plantation
Q11

What is the tone and style of the film?

The film has a consistently intense, dark tone reflecting the graphic horrors of war and life-or-death stakes. The narrative is straightforward and chronological, focusing on a single extended battle sequence that creates a fast-paced, stressful, and immersive experience with heavy emotional weight dealing with survival, sacrifice, and mortality.

  • tone
  • style
  • dark
  • intense
  • war movie
  • emotional

Movie threads

More Movies Like Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Gritty Historical Survival Epics like Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

Stories of ordinary people tested by the brutal chaos of real historical events. If you liked the harrowing true story of Danger Close, you'll appreciate these movies that plunge you into the heart of a real historical conflict. These films share a focus on survival, the bond between soldiers or civilians, and the intense, chaotic atmosphere of fighting against overwhelming forces.

  • intense
  • gritty
  • harrowing
  • courageous
  • tense
  • oppressive
  • Tone: dark, gritty, harrowing
  • Pacing: fast, relentless, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative focuses on a group or individual thrust into a major historical conflict, often based on true events. The plot is a straightforward, high-stakes struggle for survival against a powerful enemy or harsh environment, driven by a clear objective and culminating in a bittersweet or pyrrhic victory that acknowledges the heavy cost.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies that share a commitment to historical realism, unflinching intensity, and a focus on the human cost of conflict. They create a coherent, stressful, and emotionally resonant experience for viewers seeking authentic, gritty war and survival stories.

Single-Setting Siege Dramas like Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

Trapped and outnumbered, a group must hold their ground against an endless onslaught. Find movies similar to Danger Close that trap their characters in a confined space under relentless attack. These high-tension stories focus on strategic defense, the psychology of being surrounded, and the bonds forged in fire, perfect for fans of claustrophobic, fast-paced combat narratives.

  • tense
  • claustrophobic
  • desperate
  • relentless
  • chaotic
  • strategic
  • Tone: tense, desperate, dark
  • Pacing: fast, relentless, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story is built around a single, extended defensive battle in a specific location. The narrative structure is linear and straightforward, escalating tension as resources dwindle and casualties mount. The character arc is collective, focusing on how a group evolves under extreme pressure to accomplish a singular goal: survival.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared narrative structure of a confined battle, their fast and oppressive pacing, and their ability to generate sustained, high-tension dread. They deliver a specific, stressful viewing experience centered on tactical survival against impossible odds.

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Every angle

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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