Over the years, the Special Air Service (SAS) has become synonymous with courage, precision, and covert operations. As one of the world’s most elite military units, the SAS has captivated audiences worldwide with its awe-inspiring tales of heroism and intrigue. From their daring real-life exploits to the silver screen, SAS military movies have left an indelible mark on the history of cinema.
The Wild Geese
The first notable SAS film is the “The Wild Geese” (1978). I still recall seeing this movie at my friend’s house when I was a teen. It may not have been solely focused on the SAS, but it marked the beginning of the genre’s fascination with elite military units. The film was based on a novel, The Thin White Line. This gripping action film, inspired by the exploits of the SAS and other mercenaries, set the stage for the captivating tales that were to follow. The film was named after the Wild Goose flag and shoulder patch used by Michael “Mad Mike” Hoare’s Five Commando, ANC, which in turn was inspired by a 17th-century Irish mercenary army Wild Geese. The movie star ensemble cast was led by Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Richard Harris and Hardy Krüger.
Bravo Two Zero
One of the most iconic SAS operations during the Gulf War was immortalized in “Bravo Two Zero” (1999). Based on the book by Andy McNab, a former SAS soldier who served in the mission, the film depicts the harrowing true story of an eight-man SAS patrol behind enemy lines. It brought the intense reality of SAS operations to the forefront and further solidified their place in cinematic history. Michael Asher, a former soldier with the SAS. alleged that much of Mitchell’s Bravo Two Zero and Armstrong’s The One That Got Away were fabrication. I loved the movie and read the book. Both Armstrong and Mitchell reacted angrily to the documentary and Asher’s conclusions.
SAS: Rogue Warrior
In 2022, “SAS: Rogue Warrior” shed light on the incredible life of Lt. Colonel Robert Blair “Paddy” Mayne, one of the original SAS founders. The movie delved into Mayne’s audacious exploits during World War II and the many battles he fought with unwavering determination. It served as a tribute to the extraordinary individuals who shaped the SAS’s formidable reputation. The narrative begins in a Cairo hospital in 1941, when, after a failed training exercise, British Army officer David Stirling has the idea of creating a special commando unit which could operate deep behind enemy lines. The storyline is a broadly accurate representation of real events, as described by Ben Macintyre in his book of the same name.
6 Days
The global war on terror brought the SAS into the spotlight once again. “6 Days” (2017) showcased the SAS’s involvement in critical counter-terrorism operations. This movie portrayed the SAS’s exceptional skills in high-stakes hostage rescues and the relentless pursuit of justice against terrorist organizations. It is based on the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in London and stars Jamie Bell, Abbie Cornish, Mark Strong and Martin Shaw. Little tension and suspense but it did have great special effects and action, and you get a deeper dive into the occurrence. The characters were thin but this is still a very interesting movie to watch.
Kajaki
In recent years, films like “Kajaki” (2014) have offered a more introspective view of the SAS and the effects of war on its soldiers. Kajaki 2014 British war docu-drama film directed by Paul Katis in his feature debut, written by Tom Williams, and produced by Katis and Andrew de Lotbiniere. The plot is based on the Kajaki Dam incident, involving Mark Wright and a small unit of British soldiers positioned near the Kajaki Dam, in Helmand province, Afghanistan. This movie explored the psychological toll, camaraderie, and sacrifices made by SAS personnel, providing audiences with a nuanced understanding of the human side of military operations.
The Age of Heroes
The film follows the exploits of Corporal Bob Rains (Danny Dyer) as he is inducted into the newly formed 30 Commando unit in the Second World War, after being freed from a war prison for cowardice and striking an officer during operations in France. Rains and the rest of the platoon are put through intensive training under the watchful eye of Major Jack Jones (Sean Bean), where their skills and endurance are pushed to the limit as they prepare for their first highly classified and dangerous mission: to parachute into occupied Norway and capture new radar technology from the Germans which could change the outcome of the war. The newly formed band of brothers are joined in their task by Norwegian immigrant Steinar Mortensen (Aksel Hennie), now a US Marine Lieutenant with vital knowledge of the terrain, and beautiful spy Jensen (Izabella Miko). All their lethal commando skills are put to the test as they attempt to escape fierce gun battles and attain the German radar technology. The mission objective bears much resemblance to Operation Biting.
