The Odd Angry Shot

This movie is quite simply outstanding. The writing, acting and general production talent are first rate. If you're looking for non-stop intense war action scenes and high drama, this isn't it, nor what the subject of the movie is about although some of that is there. Ultimately, it is about enduring hardship and perseverance. I saw this movie on cable 35 years ago and it has stuck with me since then. I also watched it a few days ago and found it has much greater insight for me through my own life experiences, now that I myself am a veteran. The dialogue really makes this movie the gem that it is. Funny, satirical, and containing very harsh truths about military service and society in general. All around well done.

This is a fantastic film, that shows the troops during their good and bad times. One minute they fight in the heat of battle, and the next they are drinking or causing havoc. This is a great film, and although it has a few errors, and mistakes factually it is a great all round film that has great acting due to good casting, a good story line and script. The soundtrack is great. The music suits, especially at the end as the film closes with the song "Who Cares Anyway" by Normie Rowe. Alas I have not been able to find this song anywhere on the Internet or to download so I think it may have been just made specially for the film and not released which is a shame as its a great song. Other than that it is well worth buying, preferably on DVD. It doesn't cost that much and it is an enjoyable film.

Plot: An SAS squadron are deployed to Vietnam for a tour of duty. The problem with most war films is that they tend to cover the same sort of things. The horror of war, the absurdity, the Dear John letters, the process of learning, the mastering of fear. The Odd Angry Shot is no different. Shot for a pittance it manages to look realistic thanks to being shot in the Australian Army's Jungle Training Centre. The lack of budget means no elaborate battles, which means only a handful of short bitter skirmishes, which actually adds to the realism of the thing. Most of the time in this film, as in real life, the patrol finds nothing, fights nothing. So why does it work? In short, the script. This film is damned funny, full of insight and very human. If you've ever laughed with an Australian barman in London then you'll enjoy this because it's full ANZAC.

I first saw this film on tv It captures for me the feeling of Vietnam soldiers who dont want to be in a war dont know what the war is even about. It took me years of seaching till I found a copy on VHS which think is nearly worn out. Thought provoking sad and funny the great line "Bugger all" whilst seaching the temple is totally unforgettable to me.

I have seen this film 2-3 times and it haunts me still. Absolutely one of THE best Vietnam war films. It stands (in my humble opinion) right at the top of the tree above "Full Metal Jacket" and "Platoon". The attention to detail, the painstaking portrayal of military ops (endless preparation and all...), the loooooong periods of boredom interspersed with the short, frantic, terrifying engagements with the enemy... Perhaps most tellingly, the grim gallows humour of the men right at the sharp end, the men actually doing the job who in the midst of all the horror, manage to ease the stress by finding the funny side of it all. A film you don't see shown that often. If you get the chance, see it. I guarantee you will not forget it.

A really well constructed Australian film, that accurately portrays the Vietnam 'feeling' in this country. Best described as a sad thought provoking work, with some excellent and funny performances by the skilled cast. A low budget film that 'over achieves' its message.

When I first saw this movie I was convinced that the actors were in fact real SAS troopers who had been seconded to do a bit of acting. So realistic were their actions, behaviour and kit. Later of course I discovered they were all well-known Australian actors. If anyone wants to know what fighting in Vietnam was like, watch this film. It shows you how it should be done. One foot out of camp and all communication is by hand signals and whispers. Comparing this to some American units in Vietnam who actually went on patrol with transistor radios on their shoulders and you will quickly understand why the Australians did so well and overall the Americans did so badly. I vote this the best war movie ever made.

Terribly underrated, and generally unknown in the US. Although the film deals with Australian troops in Viet Nam, this could very easily have been any of the US units. Any of us who served on the ground there will recognize these men as buddies we knew. The combat sequences in this film are among the best ever filmed, and until "Platoon" came along, it was one of the few films that portrayed the combat experience in Viet Nam as it really was. Like "84 Charlie MoPic", it's a small film that tells a large story without beating you over the head with its message. When people ask me which are the best films about that endless mess in Viet Nam, this is one of the first films I refer them to (along with "MoPic"). My VHS copy is just about worn out; I never tire of its grim humor and honest story. (USMC, Viet Nam 67-69)