Balibo (2009)

Wow - a truly great Australian film about a incident we know so little about. Worth the watch. Anthony La Paglia is amazing...

Awesome video and insight into a piece of little understood history close to Australian shores. A must see.

Excellent

While it's light on characterisation, the acting is so good it feels so real, so real it becomes scary. It's disturbing towards the end, and some of it is hard to watch for an M-rated movie. Such a great film, and Anthony Lapaglia is amazing. A great Aussie film, truly.

An informative and thought-provoking movie. If you want to know a part of Australian history, this is one to see. Not a moment to be proud of how politics ignores journalists who risk their lives covering wars.

A good retelling of this grim period of history which our government attempted to hide, shameful. Well acted by Anthony La Paglia.

This movie/storey should have been told many years ago - I lived in Darwin for years and met many of East Timorese people who suffered through the atrocities. Tell everyone to watch it - even for the education of it.

Powerful insight into events in East Timor. Real fear conveyed and shared as journalists are embroiled in the thick of the Indonesian invasion.

This is easily one of the better Australian films I have seen. The production was of high quality and very realistic, particularly the images of the somewhat carefree but high spirited Balibo five. A tragic and touching story of the dangers of being in a war zone and being forgotten or ignored by your government. It doesn't grandstand or over-dramatise it, but it's fair to say you will form a view at the end.

Don't miss this one. Well worth a watch. 4 stars

Sobering and revealing. Excellent drama/doco

Horrific but true

A sorbering look at one of our near regional neighbours invasions, and the troubled story and personal tragedy of the people and the few brave newsmen who were murdered - this is not a happy movie but a story that must be told (and watched)

Incredible, true account of the attrocities of war and fighting for justice. Five young journalists and camera crew wanting to show Australia the truth about the invasion by the Indonesian on the innocent people of East Timor in 1975 and the Austn Govt's stance. The plight and consequent death of veteran reporter Richard East in trying to find the missing five. A must watch.

fills you in on the true story sad but interesting

Great movie. Sad and very powerful.

A riviting indictment on Indonesian & Australian politics at that time

Everyone needs to know the truth of events.

The film made me angry all over again, after so many years. There is still so much that should be made public - what was our Government doing for example, why did Senator Willessee resign over the invasion. Even so, we now know so much more but no one has been made accountable. Congratulations to those involved in this film - brillian.

A must see for every Australian. Australia's most shameful event...

and still we give aid and military aid to Indonesia our politicians are gutless

I know the history but this was very confusing - no special performances, either. Disappointing.

Must see! David Williamson does it again! East Timor is only 1hr away from Australia and yet Aussie journalists were slaughtered by the invading indonesians, and our government did not react. It's a true story and a sad part of our history. See it to know the story and hope it never happens again. Have tissues at hand. Still sad thinking about it.

Great movie. Insightful and informative. Shocking and sad, not only for what was done to the journalists but to the people of east timor. Must see historical movie!

this is a great historical movie with characters that are real people still alive and in some cases very famous today. A very well written and put together piece about real Australian history. I've been to Balibo and seen the house where the reporters were killed and the place was still vacant when i saw it and the locals treat it with a decent amount of respect due to their good relationship with australia. Great movie, great aussie history.

A story that shocks, even more so because it is true. Brilliant acting.

Really enjoyed this movie. Good to see events in history unfold

Should be a must see movie for all politicians. Would make them hang their heads in shame. A terrible story well told.

This is an excellent Australian movie based on true events when 5 Aussie TV reporters/cameramen went to East Timor to film the brutal invasion by Indonesia and ended up being massacred. Hard to watch at times and very sad ending, I've watched it twice now and needed tissues both times. Excellent performance by Anthony Lapaglia and the supporting cast.

The only reason I couldn't give it 5 stars is because I found some parts so hard to watch. The Indonesian Millitary are about to invade East Timor and we accompany Roger East back to East Timor, as he tries to find out what happened to the 5 Australian journo's before him. This film is full of suspense and is simply terrifying. You''ll cry at the injustice, you'll feel the terror the journo's would have felt as they are shot one by one and you'll be horrified at the injustice of an Australian journalist being shot in cold blood on the streets of DIlli. Sometimes the truth is too hard to swallow.

A gruesome story told in graphic terms. How fuelish the reporters appear, how cruel the occupiers appear!!

an interesting story,true as itt could be told, it took a long time for it to be made public, though l think there is most likely alot that has,nt been made lnown,,

This film was better than I thought it would be as the situation was very interesting and it did make its point well. It was interesting to see the representation of a young Jose Ramos Horta as well as the landscape of Timor Leste.

An interesting insight into a terrible time in East Timor

Good but not a great movie

In 1975 in a little place called East Timor, five Australian journalists were murdered by Indonesian troops as they attempted to film them invading that country. This is their story. What happened that terrible day was known to the Australian government and yet they embarked on a campaign of secrecy and ultimately a cover up to stop the Australian people from knowing the truth. This is an Australian story and one full of all the right ingredients to make an exciting movie, exotic locales, danger, acts of heroism in the face of ruthless oppression. The film is not perfect, the constraints of the small budget show and the acting is uneven but this film packs an emotional punch that is devastating. This is a fine tribute to the bravery of 5 young men who died trying to show the world what was happening to an independant nation and were most cruelly betrayed by their own country.

Outstanding portrayal of life in Timor at time of invasion by Indonesia. great acting. Violence of invading forces raises many questions as to Australia's response.

Journalists take extreme risks and suffer the terrible consequences. I found that this movie based on actual events lacked the emotional impact that I would have expected. In addition the fragmented narrative seemed to lessen any tension that was building. Although the actions of the Indonesians were deplorable, the response of the Australian Government was just as deplorable. There is another movie in there somewhere.

Interesting to see it. Slightly inaccurate in parts - in terms of individuals.

Best Australian film I have seen in years and a very important, enlightening film. Stunning!

A true story that needed to be told. Unfortuntely, we still don't know the whole truth. It is sinful from those in power and particularly from the Indonesians who invaded Timor in the first place. Strong words from "Myke" in his review but one can understand his sentiment. Why does the Australian Government "pander" to the Indonesian government? I understand in terms of being neighbours and trade and generally being civilised etc., but why on earth does the Australian Government accept this lie and cover up as if it didn't happen. Thank goodness, some people have fought to find some kind of justice for the people of Timor and the murdered Australian journalists. The film captured the "gungho" nature of the Australian journalisits and their determined attitude to getting the story in the news! Thumbs up for all those involved in the making of this film, and for finding the funds to make a worthwhile film and tell the story., even though it happened 30 years ago. After all it's our history!

A good film, a little difficult to follow at times, but splendidly acted. A little hard to understand why it has never been investigated tjoroughly by the government,.

A very well put together movie, well worth the hype. Such a sad story, to think we (as in the Australian government of the day) let it happen.

The movie was a bit light on for content and had to be stretched somewhat which was understandable as it was based on a true set of events. A disturbing movie that makes you angry. It shows how the general public can be manipulated by the government and kept void of the truth for many years. Our admirable six journalists took a risk and were told to get out, but stayed seeking the truth for us. But to be murdered in cold blood and more importantly the actions of the Indonesians dismissed / ignored by the Government of the day will be a scar on Australia???s democracy forever. Plus the fact 183 000 people were murdered on our doorstep & we did nothing! How those politicians and bureaucrats can rest easy is beyond me. A heavy night???s viewing but worthwhile, a story that needed to be told however late.

More than a movie - a shameful real life event well acted and protrayed. All Australia's political parties and leaders past and present should feel disgrace that those responsible are yet to be brought to justice.

This was such a stressful movie and how sad. Shame on the Australian Government at the time. I can remember as a child when I heard on the ABC News that those poor journalists were murdered and over the years it is something that has stayed with me. How do you say that you enjoyed a movie with this I did but not in a relaxed way, it was shocking but shocking as it was the truth.

A fantastic film, the minor weak spots are forgivable for such a wonderful, heartbreaking film. Films based on true stories can sometimes feel forced or flat, but not this one. Tears were flowing by the end.

Amazing, heartbreaking, terrifying and stunning. I never learned about this in school. Why? Because the powers that be didn't care. What a shameful period in our country's history. Everyone should watch this, but make sure to set aside some time afterwards for tears and reflection.

Good to watch and learn what happened at Balibo, had no idea. Good movie.

I really enjoyed this movie. It was a little bit sad, and mystifying as to why this has never been investigated further by Australia. Shocking to see how events unfolded, but great acting and interesting plot line. Worth a watch!