Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

The Odd Angry Shot (1979)

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clip 'Geez I'd love a Passiona' education content clip 3

This clip chosen to be M

Clip description

Bill (John Jarratt) is bored and thirsty on patrol, until the Australians discover a Viet Cong bush camp. They lay in wait for the enemy’s return.

Curator’s notes

The attack is shown in convincing detail – as a classic and savage guerrilla raid. They hit fast, kill and capture, and withdraw just as fast, taking a prisoner for interrogation. These are the tactics the Vietnamese used to great effect themselves. The scene has very little emotion attached to it – the killing is almost matter-of-fact, except for one shot – the close-up of the first Viet Cong man to die makes it more personal.