The Odd Angry Shot – An Iconic Aussie Vietnam War Movie
‘Every time the shit hits the fan there he is, standing like a fool at the recruiting office with his hand for a rifle, while all the rich boys are hanging on waiting for a commission or for their fathers to get them into a safe job’.
Released in 1979, The Odd Angry Shot was Australia’s first Vietnam War movie, following an Australian SAS patrol during their tour of duty in Vietnam. Written and directed by Tom Jeffery, the film is based on a novella by William Nagle, which won the National Book Council Award in 1975.
Nagle, who served in Vietnam with 3 SAS Squadron, drew on his own experiences to portray the camaraderie among the members of Patrol 22—professional soldiers making the best of the circumstances they find themselves in. They endure the boredom and frustrations of life on SAS Hill, interrupted only by jungle patrols to fire “the odd angry shot.”
The majority of the film was shot at the Australian Army’s Land Warfare Centre in Canungra, south-eastern Queensland, with both the Army and RAAF providing advice and equipment. However, it’s not a conventional war film. More of a black comedy, it focuses on mateship and the human side of professional soldiers fighting in an unpopular war.
‘When we get home, we’ll be an embarrassment to all of our wonderful nation. The only bastards who’ll want to know about us are the silly buggers in this man’s army. Let’s face it, we’ve got no one else’
The soldiers cope through a mix of cynicism and the dry, irreverent humour that has long been a hallmark of Australian diggers. The result is a film that remains both hilariously funny and relevant — one that has stood the test of time. Definitely worth watching.
The Australian SAS in the Vietnam War
The Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) played a key reconnaissance and surveillance role during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1971. Operating as part of the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF), SAS troops were deployed in small, highly trained patrols to gather intelligence, track enemy movement, and conduct covert operations deep in enemy-held territory.
Their primary mission was to locate and monitor Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces without direct engagement. By moving silently and relying on stealth, the SAS provided vital intelligence that shaped larger military operations. When necessary, they conducted ambushes, called in artillery or air support, and sometimes engaged in brief, intense firefights.
SAS soldiers were renowned for their discipline, endurance, and bushcraft skills. Over six rotations, around 580 SAS soldiers served in Vietnam, with 496 patrols conducted and significant intelligence gained. Despite the hazardous nature of their missions, casualties were relatively low, highlighting their professionalism and effectiveness.
The SAS’s contribution in Vietnam helped define their elite reputation within the Australian Defence Force and set a high standard for future special operations.
Film Description: Members of the Australian Army Special Air Service operate five man patrols in South Vietnam. A patrol demonstrates silently moving toward a Vietnamese camp, recording relevant information and relaying that information via radio back to base. An Iroquois helicopter mounts an air attack with two twin mounted M-60 door machine guns. Patrol being extracted. Produced by Defence Public Relations.
Australian War Memorial Accession Number – F3236
Film Description: Patrol commander briefing his men before they get ready to go out to find the enemy. Patrol ‘camming up’ before they leave camp in vehicles. Patrol arrives at Kangaroo pad to board helicopters. Insertion. Patrol moving in jungle. SAS patrol returning to base, cleaning weapons, moving off to tents, and second patrol returns. Men play basketball for pleasure and to keep fit. Assault craft training in river. Helicopters taking off with patrol. Group of SAS running to keep fit. Trooper (Tpr) Graham Smith, 25, of Annerley, Qld; Tpr Roger Kaczmarek, 23, of Croydon Park, SA; Tpr James Raitt, 24, of Bentley, WA; telling of incidents with the enemy in the jungle. Interview with OC of 1 SAS Squadron, Major Teague. Pilots speaking to each other on intercom.
Film made by Christopher John Bellis for Defence PR. AWM Accession Number F04438
2004 Interview with Charles Stewart, a decorated Australian SAS soldier who served in Vietnam with 1 SAS Sqn from 1967 to 1968.
Interview with Dennis (Mitch) Mitchell – 3 SAS Sqn. Dennis “Mitch” Mitchell was drafted into the Australian Army in 1967, but instead of following orders to join the artillery, he chose a different path—one that led him to the elite Special Air Service (SAS). After completing the grueling selection process, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he conducted covert reconnaissance and combat missions deep in enemy territory. In this interview excerpt, Mitch recounts his journey from civilian life to becoming an SAS soldier, his experiences in Vietnam, and the bonds formed.
The Australian SAS worked closely with the Huey crews of 9 Squadron RAAF who were essential, with their ability to insert and extract SAS patrols, either over the jungle or on the ground. This was often done with support from Bushranger Gunships. In this clip pilot Geoff talks about this experience, including about the “tractor job”, an ambush that became part of SAS folklore.
