Black Hearts

Amazon video doesn't communicate much about its flagship series but what a gem.

The scenario is gripping, realistic. The whole thing is extremely well documented from a military know-how and tactical point of view.

The filming locations take us to the heart of Iraq and the themes are very well addressed: guilt, morality, distance, family ties, trafic, etc..

Even if it s a mini series, we had several occasions to discover how was the country at this period, how people were trying to live.

The actors are all very good and we do care about their characters ! What a treat! I can't wait to see season 2.

If you're wondering if this series is worth it, forget it.

Played fake, full of inconsistencies : for instance, there are VERY few female snipers in the French army, NONE in the special forces, no big deal she spends her time forgetting her rifle in her car and run with the others using a classic rifle. In the setting of Mosul occupied by Daech there are signs in English. ...

And I don't know if it's because no money or no technique, the episodes are loooooong strolls in car or in ruins, zero action, a lot of blablas.

Of course it's maybe brutally awesome after the second episode. But I never got past that.

What a pity that the French still don't know how to make real action movies or series. I've only seen one that is really realistic (confirmed by former special forces operator): "Special Forces" (2011)

This is a fictional story of the French military's special forces operating in the Middle East against terrorists. Besides the plot, the brilliance of this series rests on attention to detail, fantastically timed camera work from many angles, superb acting and dialogue, and the cinematography brings the series to life. It all rings true. Though many unforeseen circumstances events often do not go in favour of the special forces. It is edge-of-your-seat viewing and compulsive.

One key member of the main team is killed, while another Sab gets into deep water and the team needs to rescue her. It makes the plotline unpredictable too. Nothing mundane here.

The joy of episode 4, Tarek, is when they burst into song while driving, a scene worth endless re-watching!

The first series concludes with a tense cliff-hanger and you will find it hard to wait for the second series. This is top notch filmwork.

The only downside is the realism of this action-for-TV story comes at a time when humanitarian tragedies are happening in Ukraine and Gaza. People searching for Black Hearts note when aired by the BBC in 2023 for some obscure reason it went by the title 'Dark Hearts'.

The series is superb and highly recommended.

Bring on series two!

This year, in 2023, there are two French series dedicated to the military operation against ISIS: BLACK HEARTS and SENTINELLES. I have not seen SENTINELLE yet but it will come soon. But concerning this one, taking place in Irak - whilst SENTINELLE takes place in Africa - this is absolutely fabulous in terms of accuracy, action sequences, acting, directing. No cliché galore as we could be scared of, this is a jaw droppig piece of work which will proceed next year for a second season that I will wait with great impatience. Nicolas Duvauchelle is better than ever, and if you have always dreamed of an exceptional stuff about Special Forces, this series is for you. Tense, taut, gripping, realistic at the most. Don't miss it.

Could be so much better with some attention to detail. A platoon that goes into conflict wearing tee shirts and baseball caps? An intelligence officer that gets involved in the fight? A platoon that leaves their sniper behind to 'catch up' after a fire fight in a hostile settlement? Villages devoid of children and barking dogs? Empty roads? One minute they're using their drone for intell next minute they seem to have forgotten about that capability.

And special forces who seem to be less than accomplished professionals, and a platoon that is far too small to do what is asked of it.

Amazing location scenery and good camera work.