The One That Got Away

Cameo. Chris Ryan ( the actual SAS trooper the character in the film is based on) cameos as the soldier in the flight suit who takes the photo of bravo two zero in front of the helicopter.

You can only see him for a few moments.

Kneeling down and then standing up. The actual photo of Bravo Two Zero was taken on the tail gate of a Chinook helicopter, but perhaps the budget didn't stretch that far for this film.

It's about 13 minutes into the film.

Chris Ryan also cameos in ITVs Ultimate force series, also about the SAS.

This is an extraordinary vision of war as an out-of-body experience, predating Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan by some years.

Directed by Paul Greengrass, the film has an extraordinarily surreal feel, especially in the night scenes.

The POV is Chris Ryan's, who is obviously an extreme outsider and a determined survivor.

The cast is excellent, Paul McGann getting right under Ryan's skin.

This film fits into the Lawrence of Arabia tradition being visually sumptuous, thematically expansive and musically (Barrington Pheloung) stirring.

I really liked this drama production (or TV movie, whatever). This captured the feeling of the book while adding its own dramatic interpretations as to these events. A lot of people have the preconception that the SAS or any other of the armed forces are always right, but this really opened my eyes as to how mistakes are made.

In light of other remake of the Bravo Two Zero events, "Brave Two Zero" with Sean Bean, I believe this to be the better film. The music is really great, and manages to keep our attention when nothing really interesting is happening.

A good cast, watchable action sequences, and the always good Paul McGann earn this film a decent grade.