Special Air Service - The Soldier's Story

Starring:Sas-Special Air Service
Studio: Bfs Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

The price is right
This is an average documentary about the famed SAS
What a bunch of drivel - the reviews below that is!!!
*UKSF information only*
Mr. Devine, take note...

Special Air Service - The Soldier's Story
Starring: Sas-Special Air Service
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Customer Reviews:

The price is right.......2007-02-16

The first tape is about the SAS selection and is 25 min. in length. The second tape is 55 min. and takes you through some missions in the first gulf war and training counter drug units in Columbia. There is also a presentation within the Columbia story about the mercenaries who attempted to kill Manuel Escobar. I'm pretty sure that the mercenary in this video had much to do with the production as he is in many of the reenactments in both videos. I imagine that most of what you see has been based on his word to the producers. The bulk of actual footage is of trainees in selection and of the mercenary operation in Columbia. Don't be fooled by that grainy night vision footage in the Gulf War, all the camera angles are pure Hollywood. I don't think I saw one second of actual SAS footage in either video (except training of course). I don't know why, but the Brits are reenactment fanatics. One would think they'd just call it a movie and be done with it, but no, it's a documentary. For you Brits out there, I'm a Yank and I knew more about the SAS than was "revealed" in this program. I did, however, learn a few things I didn't know. I payed about four bucks to see this, and it's worth it. If your a special forces nut like me the price is right.

This is an average documentary about the famed SAS.......2005-12-29

I have seen this documentary, and it is ok, but not great. One of the reviewer's below wrote something interesting.

"If you want to learn about the true proffesionals, start looking for SBS info (even harder to find). They actually do many of the SAS missions, but because they don't want the publicity, the SAS get the credit. They are also on standby for many missions you will never find out about (Black Hawk Down ring any bells?).
Their training is much harder! Ask the US Marines who cross-train with them. They always go back home screaming about the inhumanity of training.

4. I will give you this information:
SAS is based in Hereford, England. Often seen walking the Brecon Beacons. Their motto: Who Dares Wins. (You can find out more)

SBS (Special Boat Service) is based in Pool, Dorset. Their base is shared with a few other units. They are part of the UK Marines and have around 100 members at a time. Their motto: Not By Strength By Guile".

As a fomrer Force Recon Marine, I can confirm what this person said about US Marine crosstraining with the SBS, and they are indeed a top notch outfit. I do not know of any regualr Marine Corps units crosstraining with the SBS, but I do know that thier selection is certainly not that much harder then FR selection. Because of this I would question the claim that
"They always go back home screaming about the inhumanity of training". Certainly none of my FR unit did that, and considering how strenuous FR traiing is, I doubt any other American units have done so either. Never the less, if you are interested in the SAS thier are many several ex members who have written well recieved books, like Andy McNab and others. I suggest one reads those instead of this bare bones documentary.

What a bunch of drivel - the reviews below that is!!!.......2005-02-12

I never realized there are so many experts about the Regiment...and not one of them having served a day in their lives! What a bunch of panzies!

This video is just one of many, produced by some nitwit wanting to make a buck. So what the heck does it matter what it's like? It's drivel.

For or against, all of your reviews are nonesense!

Good grief...you'll be asking each other what colour the boat house is next!

*UKSF information only*.......2004-03-11

Very interesting reading all the reveiws of this DVD. I haven't seen it (hence the middle score) so I'm not here to talk about it, just give more some information.

1. Andy McNab. Don't go by what you read in his "true" stories, Bravo Two Zero especially!
The truth is VERY different from what he writes.
e.g. With B20 in Desert Storm, Vince Phillips, Bob Consiglio, and Legs Lane all died because of shoddy leadership (McNab). McNab didn't see much action after that, and was eventually "encouraged" (everyone hated him for his stupidity) out of the regiment and banned from returning. See that in his book?

2. SAS information isn't easy to find. You get most from knowing actual soldiers, but there are a few documentaries worth watching. Try: www.play.com for some. Are You Tough Enough? is very entertaining. 30 contestants fight through SAS selection. No prize, only the knowledge you are tough enough for the SAS.

Visit: http://home.hccnet.nl/22.sas/
This will give you a bit more info in your quest for knowledge but it is only a starting place.

3. If you want to learn about the true proffesionals, start looking for SBS info (even harder to find). They actually do many of the SAS missions, but because they don't want the publicity, the SAS get the credit. They are also on standby for many missions you will never find out about (Black Hawk Down ring any bells?).
Their training is much harder! Ask the US Marines who cross-train with them. They always go back home screaming about the inhumanity of training.

4. I will give you this information:
SAS is based in Hereford, England. Often seen walking the Brecon Beacons. Their motto: Who Dares Wins. (You can find out more)

SBS (Special Boat Service) is based in Pool, Dorset. Their base is shared with a few other units. They are part of the UK Marines and have around 100 members at a time. Their motto: Not By Strength By Guile.

Start searching!!

Mr. Devine, take note..........2002-10-13

This video is a rare glimpse into another world - that of what it takes to win at unconventional warfare. Despite the lack of certain details (who wouldn't expect this?), this tells the ordinary interested person much about the unique history of this fighting unit that is the envy - yes, Paul, envy - of Delta Force et al. Paul Devine's knee-jerk reaction about Bastian's review misses the point: our special forces group have yet to claim such a track record as these guys, such as their takedown of the Iranians. We should start taking notes from these guys if we want Iraq not to be a repeat of our previous efforts. I, for one, am glad these guys are on our side.

DVD:

DVD

DVD: Hopalong Cassidy Vol 1

James Bond 007 - Leben und sterben lassen