Bravo Two Zero

"Bravo Two Zero", based on the real life experiences of decorated British SAS soldier Andy McNab (Bean), the film tells of a mission gone wrong when eight men, inserted into Iraq during the Gulf War to neutralize SCUD missles, encounter resistance, become embroiled in firefights, and end up dead or victims of torture in Iraqi prison. A gritty film with a no nonsense approach to its story, "B20" is not likely to have broad appeal but is a must see for soldiers and others into real deal combat stories. (C+)

Cheap-as-chips BBC war movie is hopeless from the start thanks to a ludicrous lack of realism, despite McNab's presence as military adviser behind the scenes. It strikes me that the excellent book by McNab was only skimmed superficially and then filmed, and certainly this television film barely resembles the riveting book which inspired it. In fact the only good thing about the whole production is Sean Bean's casting as McNab, once again Bean puts in a bravura performance, and his convincing turn here is the only nugget of gold in a whole mess of a production. I reckon the BBC blew their budget on location filming in South Africa and the SAS training undertaken by the crew; everything does look cheap here, and for a film in which the effect largely depends on the realism, that isn't great. When the film can't even show you the guys getting out of the helicopter you wonder what you're in for. The African locations only barely resemble the original Iraqi landscape, for a start its far too flat and the BBC just didn't have to money to portray convincing below-zero temperates and unexpected snowfall. The camera cuts in close and stays close to the actors' faces, giving a claustrophobic feel even in the desert scenes, and something has definitely got to be wrong with that. For some reason, Vince, Legs and Bob (the three who did not survive the mission) have their names changed to Ray, Baz and Tony, but seeing as they are named properly in the book you wonder just who this is protecting. The rest of the cast don't get much of a look in, but the characters don't come across at all and the actors are crap – Stan is portrayed as an idiot, Vince is played by a 16-stone guy who would never even some close to passing the selection process, and Chris is some long-haired chap, completely self-obsessed and arrogant. There are a couple of decent action sequences in the movie, done well on a low budget, with plenty of shooting and explosions, and I was glad that the film didn't shy away from the more gruesome and disgusting moments (like when Andy has to eat excrement). But because of length, whole swathes of plot and important detail is just cut out, leaving a choppy, poorly-edited mess of a film. Lastly, the thing that really got to me was the lack of realism displayed here, in comparison to the book. I know it's a film and you have to hear what's going on, but having the characters shouting to each other whilst hiding in the wadi is just plain dumb; did the producers forget this was a covert mission, covert meaning stealth, not shouting like you're at a football match? There are other ludicrous moments like when we see Chris walking down a paved road to freedom, hmm, lucky he didn't get captured then, I thought he went cross-country necessarily to avoid being spotted. The biggest and most laughable flaw has to be Andy and his mates eating a bag of boiled sweets in the prison; I found that watching Bean crunching away on a sugary bit of confectionery, after reading in the book how McNab had his teeth smashed out so that it was painful to even breathe, simply and astoundingly inept.

I didn't like this movie at all. I watch it from beginning to end, several time's I wanted to give up and stop watching, but I forced myself to keep watching on the belief that it would get better... I was wrong. I got nothing, but respect for the SAS and any other special forces group. But this movie is just awful, During the first combat, several of the SAS group should have been killed or at lest by the explosion by the BMP main cannon. The explosions were right at the feet or a few inches off and yet the soldiers some how survived. Then there's the weapon flash and fire rate inconsistency, which were just that they were completely off a light or even heavy machine gun doesn't fire 3 round bursts. And during the whole part when Andy Mcnab is capture and is being interrogated his acting was just plain horrible and annoying. The best part of this movie was the ending.

As a soldier and something of a war movie buff, it's refreshing to see a good story turned into a film that doesn't add the Hollywood effect of lack of realism. Bravo Two Zero tells the story of a Special Air Service patrol in Iraq during the Gulf War as realistically as possible, right down to the amount of gear they lug and what difficulties lie in tactical operations. Having "Andy McNab" as a military advisor seems to have paid off in spades, as everything you see in the movie is how it really works, down to the textbook section attack they execute against the Iraqis. If you haven't read the book, do so. Then read Chris Ryan's "The One That Got Away", which tells his side of the story. Then read Peter Ratcliffe's "Eye of the Storm" and Michael Asher's "The Real Bravo Two Zero" and decide how much of the tale you actually believe. Worth a look.

When I saw Bravo Two Zero was going to be made into a film, I could not wait. Sean Bean as the star, even better. Rugged hero type was required as Andy McNab and Bean was ideal. Then I sat awaiting the start of the TV movie. And I have to say I was shocked. I expected to see something of the book in the movie. What it ended up being was a terrible attempt at shorting, what was an amazing experience, into two episodes, and grueling they were at that. Most of the plot had been chopped, the story just moving from one scene to another with all the why's missing. Sean Bean was good, as were most of the others in this. But that cannot make up for a terrible attempt to make a film from what is one of the most exciting books written. If you cannot do something properly, don't bother.................. If you loved Sharpe, don't watch this, please!

I was impressed by the realism and character representation of this film. In ways, it views like a documentary, and considering the fact that it is a true story, played out with true to life quality acting instead of conventional over dramatisation, thinking of it as a documentation is not altogether inaccurate. It's unfortunate that the Australian censorship board did not allow this movie to reach Australia by any commercial means. I had to have it sent by someone who taped it off the BBC. The justification was that it would offend the middle eastern residents of Australia, however this is an unjust violation of free speech

this is a great film, it looks at one of britains most secret force and tells a true story of Sergeant Andy McNabb and his patrol deep in Iraq attempting to destroy scuds and communication lines. A war story that has stuck to the facts and hasn't been converted to suit the audience. Very gripping and well told story.

Firstly to anyone who thinks they know so much about this story, and think lightly of these men. I would just like to say that this film and story is under rated, and surrounded by people judging these soldiers even though they themselves have never lifted an air gun or a paint-ball gun, let alone fought or served for their country. The SAS, and the armed forces is full of people willing to put their life on the line. To leave their warm beds and spend hours, days, or weeks in uncomfortable terrain, so stop your whinging! Because without them you would be using that fat arse of yours to run away like the phucking cowards you probably are. Either way i liked this film. I mean for all the military jargon and slang you may have to watch it a few more times, and get someone in the know to translate, but it is a good film. Not that much money was spent on it, and the special effects are limited, but it is a good portrayal of their life in Hereford, England, where the SAS is based, to Iraq. There is also some funny moments to lighten the mood. If you really want to get to grips with the story, read the book "Bravo Two Zero". It has much more detail, especially about the gruesome torture they were put through. Other books include: "The One That Got Away", by Chris Ryan. "Soldier Five", By Mike Coburn and "The Real Bravo Two Zero", by Michael asher. Each give their own opinion, so its hard to tell who is telling the truth. Either way the film is good, and some people might have to watch it more than once, but it is enjoyable. You laugh and maybe cry and anything else as you follow them. Sean Bean plays the part well, as do the supporting cast of unknown and small time actors. One of those actors has since done well. That actor is Rick Warden, who plays Tony. He has since been in "Band of Brothers", and the TV series "Rome", showing on BBC one. Either way watch this film...it is good and a good watch. Recommended!

Whilst the film is based on a true story and the treatment of the prisoners are gruesome, it showed the SAS as second best to the American SEAL. The Seals are superbly equipped with night goggle vision, headgear, communication etc, the SAS is as blind as a bat in the night. The SEALS are disciplined, they fight with clear tactics and coms with each other. The SAS just shouts and behaves like a bunch of degenerates. I'm saddened by this poor showing of an elite force in the British army. Just watch The Lone Survivor for comparison, it's a similar story of how an operation goes wrong due to unplanned circumstances but see how the Seals are equipped, how they fight and the quality of leadership in the unit.

While it is refreshing to see a non-American version of the Gulf War, Bravo Two Zero is a clumsy and crude attempt that fails in holding your interest at almost all times, mostly because it does not even try to be serious. Most of the action scenes are so lackluster it's not even funny. It appears that this UK production must have had such a low budget when making the film that they had to substitute key scenes with real-life footage. For example, the shot of the men leaving their families and taking off to the Middle East on a plane looks like some genius sneaked up on the landing runway of an airport and started filming a random passenger flight with a camcorder. Then they just decided to put this in the film. Also, in spite of this being a WAR movie, it is obvious that the production never used any real fighter aircrafts, but again, put in some random footage from a Gulf War documentary to pass off as their own. I found all of this totally hysterical and distracting. So, Bravo Two Zero is basically like one of those re-enacted documentaries used for educational purposes. It has all the elements: cut-rate cinematography, hammy acting, "home-made" feel and seemingly unknown actors. Sean Bean was in it, however, as the lead role of Andy McNabb. Bravo Two Zero actually improves considerably when it moves away from the cheesy battle scenes and into a more character-driven mode as the soldiers are held captive in Iraq. Some of the torture-scenes are surprisingly realistic. Bean is pretty much why I watched this film but it should be obvious to the viewer that this is simply pretty laughable. 3/10