Battle Close movie: Gold Coast actor Ethan Robinson discusses role in new movie

A young Gold Coast actor with his sights set on Hollywood will help bring a battle fought by Aussie troops against overwhelming odds to the big screen next month.

A YOUNG Gold Coast actor with his sights set on Hollywood will help bring a battle fought by Aussie troops against overwhelming odds in a blood-soaked rubber plantation at the height of the Vietnam War to the big screen next month.

On August 18, 1966, the 105 Australian troops of 6RAR D Company, led by Major Harry Smith, and a three-man NZ artillery party were on afternoon patrol in the plantation, called Long Tan, when they encountered what has been described as a regiment-sized force of 2500 Vietnamese soldiers advancing on the Australian base at Nui Dat.

DAN EWING ON FILMING ‘MONSTER PROBLEMS’

Gold Coast young actor Ethan Robinson. Picture: Jerad Williams

Burleigh Heads actor Ethan Robinson plays Australian soldier Private Alf Bartlett in the film Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, directed by Kriv Stenders.

OTHER NEWS:

New tower planned for Bilinga

Massive loss for wedding venue in bombshell vote

Bitter dispute behind coffee shop’s sudden closure

The story follows Major Smith and D Company when they found themselves under attack as rain pelted down, managing to hold off the Vietcong and North Vietnamese soldiers at Long Tan until reinforcements were able to come and the enemy withdrew.

By battle’s end, 18 Australians had been killed and 24 wounded. At least 245 Vietnamese were confirmed as killed, and another 300 were believed to have been wounded.

Ethan Robinson in Battle Close. Picture: supplied

Filmed across Queensland last year, including scenes shot in property along Gilston Road at Nerang, the movie stars Travis Fimmel, Richard Roxburgh, Luke Bracey and Daniel Webber.

“It’s the most exciting thing to have happened to me in my career,” Robinson told the Bulletin.

“It’s a crazy story … (the Anzacs) were heavily outgunned. It’s hard to believe that it hasn’t been told yet. It’s heart-wrenching.”

It is the second major film Robinson has performed in, after playing Liam Jones in Swinging Safari, which starred Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS

Ethan is excited to play in his latest movie. Picture: Jerad Williams

Robinson said he had been interested in the arts since his mother took him to The Spotlight Theatre as a young child, where his mother used to direct shows.

“I just used to sit there and watch but I fell in love with filming and acting,” he said.

“But films are where I feel like I can show the world my craft.”

The 20-year-old said he was working towards Hollywood and was in the process of getting representation overseas.

Danger Close will be released in cinemas on August 8.