I remember watching this movie when it first came out in 1987. To the uncritical eye it was brilliant. But the passing of time has not been kind.
The story centers on the Goddard family who live and work in Candberra. Douglas Goddard, brilliantly played by Barry Otto, is Secretary to the Prime Minister. Evelyn Goddard is his oppressed wife who stays at home to raise the kids, played by Nicole Kidman and Nicholas Eadie. Nicole Kidman went from strength to strength for reasons that are obvious.
The writers must have given a lot of thought to this storyline but in the end it suffers from trying to say too much. We witness the political machinations that made Vietnam an open wound through the eyes of the father. Phil Goddard enlists to fight in Vietnam and witnesses the death and mutilation of a number of friends. Megan Goddard becomes a protester and helps friends who are on the run from authorities.
With tight scripting and excellent research the story could have been told in 5 hours rather than 10. The battle scenes are disappointing by today's standards and some of the more important historical events are treated poorly. EG The visit of LBJ and the drowning of the Prime Minister.
On the plus side some brilliant performances are noted. It was great to see Noel Ferrier as Sir Robert Menzies. Mark Lee should have played the lead as Phil Goddard but puts in a credible performance, and Henri Szeps perfectly captures Prime Minister Harold Holt.
Hopefully, one day, an Australian company will make a movie about Long Tan. I do not believe Austalia has come to terms with its part in Vietnam. We still play the part of Deputy Sheriff and imagine enemies and dangers that do not exist. Perhaps someone will make a movie that helps us to get closure on this important chapter in our history.
The story centers on the Goddard family who live and work in Candberra. Douglas Goddard, brilliantly played by Barry Otto, is Secretary to the Prime Minister. Evelyn Goddard is his oppressed wife who stays at home to raise the kids, played by Nicole Kidman and Nicholas Eadie. Nicole Kidman went from strength to strength for reasons that are obvious.
The writers must have given a lot of thought to this storyline but in the end it suffers from trying to say too much. We witness the political machinations that made Vietnam an open wound through the eyes of the father. Phil Goddard enlists to fight in Vietnam and witnesses the death and mutilation of a number of friends. Megan Goddard becomes a protester and helps friends who are on the run from authorities.
With tight scripting and excellent research the story could have been told in 5 hours rather than 10. The battle scenes are disappointing by today's standards and some of the more important historical events are treated poorly. EG The visit of LBJ and the drowning of the Prime Minister.
On the plus side some brilliant performances are noted. It was great to see Noel Ferrier as Sir Robert Menzies. Mark Lee should have played the lead as Phil Goddard but puts in a credible performance, and Henri Szeps perfectly captures Prime Minister Harold Holt.
Hopefully, one day, an Australian company will make a movie about Long Tan. I do not believe Austalia has come to terms with its part in Vietnam. We still play the part of Deputy Sheriff and imagine enemies and dangers that do not exist. Perhaps someone will make a movie that helps us to get closure on this important chapter in our history.