Soldier Soldier

Soldier Soldier was truly an excellent drama series for its time. It is a pretty accurate portrayal of Army life. I can say this from certain as I have 13 years of personal experience. At the time Soldier Soldier began showing on ITV and the BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service), my Dad was in the British Army and we were living on camp with him in Germany.

The series really hit home for us as our family was precisely like the families you see in the series. Wifes and Children following the Soldier from posting to posting, sometimes separated for long periods due to exercises or overseas action.

The community spirit and the bonding together to help that the series depicts between the soldiers wife's and offspring is true to life.

The depiction of British life in Germany was spot on. Again, from direct personal experience, I can tell you there was and still is a microcosm of British culture in Germany around Military installations and their surrounding towns. Its different to Mainland UK life, yet recognisable. A new Army wife was able to quickly fit in and I guess its still the same today. Soldier Soldier brought this culture to the TV screen.

Dad would often tell me that every regiment and squadron had characters like Tucker and Garvy. General jokers and mischief makers. There was also always an officer that was a hard ass and thought he knew it all. Then you had the compassionate and the down to earth types. And of course, the people you'd rightly give your right arm for to help them. Soldier Soldier successfully depicted the whole spectrum of these kinds of characters, the bonding that occurs between Soldiers and the way that Squaddie mates will do just about anything to help one of their own. Likewise the families attached to them.

As with any program, there were a few moments where there were differences between reality and what was on the show, but one has to allow for some artistic and dramatic licence, or else you might as well call it a documentary.

I miss Soldier Soldier, above all, I miss the life it depicts, for despite the downs, the ups were far more numerous and the life was good.

I used to watch Soldier Soldier every week with my mum and brother. I loved every moment, whether it be action packed or whether it be more gentle and dealt with family relations. This show was a good show that the whole family could watch and enjoy. Because it stopped quite a while ago when i was younger, i don't remember exact names but i do remember certain parts of episodes and that shows that this was a good program because it sticks in your head as a show that was well written and well acted by the actors and actresses.

Speaking from experience, I find that the show touches both the heart as well as the mind-set of military life. The characterization is fantastic, if not somewhat stereo-type but nonetheless good. Highly recommended.

I was positiviely surprised by Soldier Soldier as the only (as far as I know) under 20s/in my 20s person who has watched this.

I've never been in the army, but I'm nearly 20 and possibly the youngest actual follower of this show. I'm quite a fan.

The show is beautiful and even relevant today. Character-wise very well-rounded. You can always find someone to relate to.

The conflicts and plots of episodes are lifelike. Nothing is blown too much out of proportion.

Severely underappreciated show. Had its time and then burnt out, which is unfair. I liked the original and thus I will be looking forward to the sequel very much.

A very good representation of Army life, obviously well researched. I feel all characters are well represented with good actors playing appropriate characters. Because it is a series you can watch as much or little or as much as you like but i find you can't stop watching all of it, and you will return for more. Perhaps I'm biased because I watched the original series on TV. I find that despite being made in 1991 none of the series is outdated (apart from the slothing :-) ) The story lines are thought provoking, for example in the first episode you see an Irish Lady who comments about the British Soldiers being sick of Ireland with a reply saying that they only do six months and you should try having two sons on opposite sides of the divide. It portrays family life very well not just the highs but the low points also. It lets you make your own mind up about army life. COming from a military family I feel Lucy Gannon has it spot on.