Danger Close

Watching Danger Close, I would say, is a necessity for anyone interested in the documentary genre. Danger Close is unlike any documentary that I've ever seen in how it is able to capture a soberingly and characteristically unconventional portrayal of war. While most documentaries on the subject of war attempt to capture bloodshed, horror, or grotesque imagery in attempts to seduce an unwitting audience into theaters or unapologetically voice personal political opinions; Danger Close does neither. Danger Close strays away from images of bloodshed to present images of brotherhood. This documentary is undoubtedly one of the few based on the soldiers themselves rather than the fight the soldiers are in. This film gives an inside look at what the real lives of soldiers are like as well as the unfortunate real consequences of war on families and soldiers alike. Danger Close's film style is also extremely influential in how it presents itself to its audience. This film follows award-winning war reporter, Alex Quade, as she travels through Iraq, experiencing life among special forces unit soldiers and follows the aftermath of a family, The Pirelli's, after their son Staff Sgt. Robert Pirelli is killed in action in Iraq. I'd recommend Danger Close to anyone hoping to get a glimpse at what war is really like in the real world rather than what war is like on a television screen.

The film follows war correspondent Alex Quade as she accompanies US special forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq as they conduct high priority raids on enemy hideouts, homes, and caches. But the film is unlike other documentaries of the kind as it provides contemplation of other issues regarding national service and the legacy you leave behind. While most documentaries end with the deployment being over, this film spans multiple tours with a look at what it means to have served many years down the line.

First, the combat and military raids are superbly filmed by Ms. Quade and edited in a way that allows you to understand the entire situation fully. Often edited with aerial surveillance which adds a certain sense of tactical knowledge as to whats going. Several of the sequences are gripping from start to finish due to the perfect editing and top notch filming, scenes are tense and exciting to watch. The depiction of life on the front lines is superb, it respectfully portrays the unity of men at war and more than just combat, but the way they build roads, school and other infrastructure.

Second, the human element of this film will stick with after the it over. The film is supplemented with both personal interviews with Ms. Quade as well as the story of a family who's son who died in country and the legacy he left behind with them and the country in which he served. In the interviews we get an insight into what Ms. Quade was thinking and feeling while under fire. She contemplates the journalistic ethics of getting involved in military operations. Without giving too much away, the family celebrates their son while grasping onto the legacy he left with both them and in Iraq.

Over all a quality documentary, not surprising coming from a couple of fantastic directors.

Documentary doesn't have a journalistic feel. More like a glitz and glamor piece, with a focus too much on the journalist. The part were she talked about dying was laughable in a dark manner. What did she expect? She is going into a combat zone taking part in a major offensive. That whole part of her being dressed up and being quasi interviewed was weird. The shots of the head stones were too choppy. Who were the people that died? What about person 6 and 7, a Brit and a Canadian? Were they coalition forces or reporters?

I also Had difficulty thematically tying the first and second sections together. Turned it off part way into the SF Group 7 story. Wanted to like it.

Just watched this and was curious about her identifying a Canadian reporter as having died on the Chinook during an operation in Afghanistan.

Presently Unable to find any public record of that. Google search and DND public announcements don't turn up anything.

Curiously enough, a CAF member was reported as having died in a helicopter incident during that time period.

Overall it feels more like I am watching a Fox News production, and not really a good one. Also surprised at how many military personnel permitted their faces to be shown throughout. Definitely an American production where soldiers are not thinking about long term personal security.

Danger Close, directed by David Salzberg and Christian Tureaud, is a military documentary film that captures the sense of courage and brotherhood that Special Operation Forces share while deployed on the front lines. This film follows Alex Quade, a highly decorated freelance reporter and documentary filmmaker, as she becomes embedded with Special Forces units and Conventional Forces in order to capture the inspiring story of Staff Sgt. Robert Pirelli and the legacy that he left behind. Robert Pirelli, a combat engineer, built combat outpost Pirelli located in Iraq, however, later lost his life in a firefight against Al Qaeda insurgents during a combat mission. As a result, Alex Quade vowed to tell his inspiring story in order to bring closure for the Pirelli family and highlight the legacy that he left behind. Shot in a point & shoot style, this film grants unprecedented access to the life that Special Forces soldiers live and the day to day challenges that they must overcome while on the battle field. The film lasts 90 minutes, however, the raw and heart-warming emotions that you'll feel will last long after you've watched this authentic and visceral film.