SAS Rogue Heroes

Having watched all 6 episodes of this new series, I can confidently say each chapter continues to build upon the established foundations of its previous installment with a genuine energy & enthusiasm I can't help but appreciate; creator & executive producer Steven Knight partners with the brilliant director Tom Shankland & together, the two of them have taken a risk & approached this adaptation in refreshingly self aware way with their artistic representations of historical events which seem (for the most part) utterly absurd, so neither try & depict them as anything other than that.

In fact "SAS: Rogue Heroes" unapologetically embraces its quirkiness & revels in its own peculiarity, confronting the craziness of its protagonists (& the surreal circumstances they regularly find themselves in) head on, having the bravery to simply enjoy the silliness of its own premise & therefore, never feels the need to compensate by over explaining or complicating anything, trying too hard in order to sell the outlandish narrative to prospective audiences who are watching etc. Ultimately, you either believe it or you don't, it doesn't really care - as long as you're having fun. Any further research (for accuracy) can be done in your own time - but the launch is too busy reflecting the majority of its characters, defying orders & rebelling against conventionality, happily doing its own thing - in spite of what others may think of its creative choices.

Of course, I can comprehend that shift in tone & direction may be a shock for fans of Knight's previous hit "Peaky Blinders" (distinctively serious in its brooding melancholy) since they've grown accustomed to similar "vibes" consistently being present throughout other projects (helmed by the writer) like "Taboo" & his macabre retelling of "A Christmas Carol" (until it almost predictably became his brand) but this arguably seems like the antidote; an audacious divergence from what we'd typically expect from him, acting as a pleasing palette cleanser which is far less heavy & easy to digest. Of course, that's not to everyone's personal tastes (so nobody is obligated to be satisfied by this sudden differentiation), but I like it - & think others shall too. After such a massive cultural phenomenon, I'd additionally argue this thematically feels like the perfect follow-up to that high point in his career; chronicling an ensemble of young, underestimated, mismatched, rag-tag underdogs (descendants from legends) who wish to thrive, carving out a new legacy in their own space, stepping out from under their forebear's shadows, liberating themselves from what they perceive to be the stifling shackles of "normality" & solidifying a possible future whilst freeing each other of the burden of expectation from what came before, in the past. Quite fitting, considering the circumstances of its release, wouldn't you say? One could even surmise the message it conveys is deliberate - especially since tales of journeying in to the desert are often synonymous with finding one's self again, after grappling with loss of / identity.

This action packed WW2 comedy drama is the product of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. The look, style and tone of SAS Rogue Hero's match that of its Crime drama sister show. The three Principal lead actors of; Connor Swindles as the charismatic alcoholic toff David Stirling, Alfie Allen as the stern spiritual Welshman Jock Lewes, and lastly Jack O'Connor as the loud brash mad Irish Paddy Mayne. The trio of the Swashbuckler, Strategist, and straight jacket Maddog bash heads as they form the first SAS regiment in Libya behind Axis lines. Each actor plays their respective role brilliantly, however O'Connor brings forth a performance like none he has done before. When you think of actors who are type casted as soldier or military men, O'Connor is definitely apart of that list. Especially with his performances in 71, The man with the iron heart, and Unbroken. But as Paddy Mayne, we see a different sort of soldier. Though his take on the legendary Northern Irish soldier is fictionalised, it is no less stellar and complex. Suffice to say I felt like I was watching Tom Hardy. Whilst I doubt O'Connor was channeling Hardy, i was reminded of Hardy's performances as Alfie Solomons in Peaky blinders and Ron Kray in Legend.

The supporting cast is also well selected, including stars such as Sofia Boutella as French-Algerian spy Eve Mansour (Kingsman, Star Trek), Dominic West as intelligence officer Colonel Dudley Clarke (The Crown, The Wire), and Tom Glynn-Carney as SAS soldier Mike Sadler (The King, House of the Dragon). Also less well known Jacob McCarthy as SAS soldier Johnny Cooper performed very well. Acting as the SAS' Italian translator, he makes himself indispensable at checkpoints when posing as German soldiers.

I watched this mini series on a Friday night straight after work. I couldn't walk away from it so I binged in one sitting. And I recommend that you do the same or at least as soon as possible. Not enough people have seen this Series. However, it has been recently renewed for a second series. Despite the BBC not doing so immediately as I would've expected. I expect that a total of 3 seasons for this program would be natural fit. And I am excited to see what comes next.

Let's get one things straight, anyone with a decent level of WW2 knowledge will pick up on mistakes. Uniforms, weapons,kit,tanks,trucks and even the traits and likeness of the main characters. The BBC don't see to care much for accuracy anymore with their shows. However watch this as Band of Brothers meets Peaky Blinders and you're onto a winner. The characters are all played brilliantly if historically inaccurately. The way they interact with eachother is also very entertaining and has you rooting for this tag tag group from the off. The music in the backround has you tapping your toes as the SAS drive across the dessert on their way to pick a fight with the Axis forces. The gun fights while over the top are a good watch. Switch off and enjoy it for what it is. It's not a master piece like Band of brothers but let's face it what is...

The second series grates with. Jack O'Connells awful faux Irish accent. It's too focused on his character unlike Series 1 which was more rounded. After fifteen minutes he just tires you out with his drawl.

My grandpa was in L Section as it was known in WW2. He wasn't a swaggering cartoon character but the real deal. Quietly stoic and a gentleman.

As for cinematography it is very high quality with good continuity and authentic sets. The costumes are realistic although it was practically unheard of to see a woman in trousers in that period so I would criticise it on that.

Series 2 doesn't have the same energy as Series 1. More dialogue and less action...

Having read the book this series is based on and having read the incredible bravery of men such as Paddy Maine. I thought Steven Knight and the BBC have done an amazing job of bringing these characters who I had only previously read about bought to life. These men may have been part of the British Army but in reality they were mercenaries, who conducted there own war by there own rules. This really is a high quality production with authentic weapons uniforms all forms of transport. And the raid scenes on the various airfields are as good as anything Netflix or even Hollywood could come up with especially the raid in episode 6 which is truly spectacular.

All the performances are excellent. In particular Jack o Connell as the mad fearless Irishman Paddy Maine. 9/10.