Customer Reviews

Bravo Two Zero

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When I discovered, to my surprise, that the BBC made a movie of Andy McNab's bestselling book BRAVO TWO ZERO for British television, and that they had the wherewithal to cast Sean Bean as McNab, I was immediately interested.

But it was a specific, incisive review on Amazon that had me buy the DVD sight unseen. Knowing that McNab co-wrote the screenplay, served as military technical advisor (can you possibly beat that for authentic detail?) and carefully chose how the film would be produced, I was confident its foundation was solid as granite. And I was not disappointed in the least.

I read McNab's book in 1996, so it gave me the advantage of knowing the subject matter in the movie. Some viewers will be put off by the casual use of military jargon. There are elliptical references to the "SatNav" (satellite navigation unit, otherwise known as "the shiny thing"), "TACBE" (tactical beacon, or two-way radio), "RV" (rendezvous point), and "tabbing" (walking), just to name a few. Likewise, some of the rhythm of the characters' language may skip past American ears. But I think this is not a weakness, because it deliberately avoids trying to be all things to all people.

In my opinion, it's the authentic language and the camaraderie between squad mates that set this apart from just about any war film ever made. It also presents a unique brand of casual, sometimes fatalistic humor that bonds the unit together, even in the face of incredible adversity. It's something that's extremely hard to convey to a viewing audience without seeming trite, but here it hits the mark time and again.

The scale of military action by the squad is also very well portrayed. McNab apparently drilled the actors pretty well, because you can see a little bit of snap in almost every move they make. Especially in the initial engagement, I was getting the indication the action was choreographed, or at least overseen, by McNab himself. In fact, the film as a whole is very faithful to the book, right down to the last line uttered by Sean Bean (which is the last line in the book). Many scenes come off in such an extemporaneous manner that the film takes on an almost documentary-like quality. It's a credit to the author for finding the best possible way to present his story.

And that's not even mentioning the film's harrowing last half, and a dozen other things worth mentioning, if it weren't for space considerations.

BRAVO TWO ZERO had me quickly revisiting my list of favorite war movies. Of those films, this is already in my personal top ten after two viewings. I highly recommend it. "Pass it on!"

Bravo Two Zero is a two-hour 1997 BBC film adaptation of ex-SAS Sergeant Andy McNabb's book of the same name, which documents his two-month experience behind enemy lines in Iraq during the Gulf War in 1991. McNabb was the leader of an eight-man SAS team sent disable both the Iraqi's scud missiles and their communication system. The crew, however, finds themselves with a disabled communication system of their own, and when things go terribly wrong, they have no alternative but to abort their mission and try to reach the Syrian border. In the process, the team must endure freezing temperatures, injury, separation, capture and torture.

Sean Bean (Sharpe, Extremely Dangerous, Golden Eye) gives an absolutely first-rate and extremely convincing performance as Andy McNabb. Bean worked very closely with McNabb in order really to come to grips with the man and his coping mechanisms in the face of such extreme and terrifying conditions, and I simply cannot imagine a better portrayal by Bean or anyone else. (Just as a point of interest, McNabb himself has said that he thought Bean could have done the job in real life.)

Though I am not generally speaking an aficionado of military/war films, I found this to be an interesting and eye-opening account. It is not a big-budgeted Hollywood production and therefore makes use of actual archive footage of bomber planes and soldiers in places. As a result the film may not look quite as slick in places, but don`t let that deter you. It is nonetheless extremely well done--a quality production that is consumately acted by all involved.

Recommended to fans of military/war films in particular, but also to fans of Sean Bean in general.

I gather that this is a well know story in The UK, yet I, for one, didn't know anything about the mission until seeing the film on Showtime recently.

It is one compelling tale, and a highly realistic treatment of modern warfare, especially as practiced by special forces units in both the British and US military. It centers on a secret SAS mission early in Desert Storm. Sgt Andy McNab's unit is helicoptered in to the middle of nowhere in Norther Iraq, with orders to reconnoiter Scud Missile sites. It is supposed to be less than a 24 hr hour quick-in/quick-out assignment. Yet from almost the time they are dropped off, they lose radio contact with command.

Then things start to really deteriorate. They find themselves exposed in what is essentially open desert, badly outgunned, and in a country extremely hostile. Eventually, after inflicting an amaziing number of casualties on their enemy, all but one of the seven man unit is either captured, or killed.

What happens to McNab and his comrades in Iraqi custody makes the Turkish prison scenes in MIDNIGHT EXPRESS look like a trip to Club Med. It's by far the most graphic, brutal depiction of prisoner interrogation I've ever seen. It really verges on over the top at times, but one is reminded that this is a true story.

I don't know where this movie was made, but it's actually rather amazing that the filmmakers could get this large a cast of middle easterners to reenact some of these war and prison scenes. Rather like the logistical problems that faced the creators of BLACK HAWK DOWN, which was filmed in Morocco. I notice on IMDB that the country of origin is South Africa, but that only confuses me more. It's a BBC production, so they usually find a way, TRAFFIK, being a good example.

I've seen several reviewer complaints about the poor quality of the DVD transfer. I watched it on Cable, so can't comment on that. The print that I saw had no problems.

The cast of Bravo Two Zero is uniformly (no pun intended) excellent. Sean Bean, known to most American audiences for his role of Boromir in THE LORD OF THE RINGS, delivers as usual. I thought he was great in THE BIG EMPTY recently, as well. Tom Clegg, a veteran director of British Television, does a yeomanlike job of keeping it real here.

What struck me in the final alaysis is how McNab downplays his ordeal. He expresses no lasting bitterness towards his captor/torturers. He says they were doing their duty, as well, though perhaps enjoying it just a bit too much. He also jokes that he didn't immediately turn tree hugger after getting back home. He and his men were just being soldiers, and what soldiers they were/are! They should not be forgotten. This movie is unforgettable as well.

BEK

What struck me most about this film was it's authenticity.

There were no Hollywood types of scenes with over-the-top valor and unrealistic feats of heroism.

Instead, we watch a group of the most professional soldiers in the world prepare for and execute a very difficult mission, and then we get to follow them when Mr. Murphy [deceives them].

Two things leapt out at me as soon as I saw the movie. One was the exceptional authenticity of the dialogue. Listening to them using terms like "MSR" and their desperate attempt to raise friendly force on their radio, I was impressed at the homework that these actors did. I also thought it was interesting that many of the 8 actors in the team had that swagger that comes from a combination of pride and from [carrying a 200 pound ruck on the back]. I have not looked into it, but some of those guys must have been in the service.

This is a gritty film that depicts reality with stellar accuracy. A must see for any war movie buff like me who is regularly disappointed by the awful drivel that Hollywood churns out (i.e. Tears of the Sun). I rank this up there with Black Hawk Down.

Even in these days of smart bombs and smart weapons and being able to kill a man without having to look him in the eye, war is still a horrific thing. I think that's the message behind "Bravo Two Zero", a BBC production about an elite group of British SAS commandos who lose radio contact behind enemy lines. One of them is killed, 6 are captured and one manages to cross the border.

I'd read the book Chris Ryan (the guy that escaped) wrote and was interested in what happened to the other fellas. But for some reason, the book "Bravo Two Zero" was quite hard to find here. Thankfully, "Bravo Two Zero", the movie, was on cable the other night. In my opinion, it is one of the grittiest, most brutal films about war ever made. I really appreciated this because when most people think of the Gulf War, they don't realize the human aspect of it. They think it was all smart bombs and technology. This is why I am recommending "Bravo Two Zero" feverishly to any war buffs out there. You won't think of Desert Storm the same way again! Read the book too, if you can get it. I haven't but I'm sure it's quite close to the film. Hm anything else to say about the film. Oh yeah, it can be quite harrowing, be forewarned. The dentist scene in particular.

For those who have read the book, the film is a bit of a disappointment. So many details and anecdotes had to be trimmed to make a two hour film that you are left with a totally different impression of the patrol's experience. Having said that, I still think the film is well done (considering the budget) and quite entertaining. The tactical scenes in particular are outstanding and show how proper execution of immediate action drills can win firefights. It is a must own for fans of the genre.

For those who have seen the original BBC version, you are in for a couple surprises. First is that this DVD release includes additional footage not seen in the UK release. Mostly minor character building fluff, but it does help you to tell the lads apart. The other big surprise is that almost all of the original music is gone. The omission of "London Calling" from the opening sequence is absolutely unforgiveable. Also, the UK DVD includes a "making of" documentary showing the actors training with McNab that would have been nice to include. I should also mention that the film was originally shot very dark and fuzzy and this transfer reflects that. It is difficult to pick out details in several of the nighttime scenes.

Finally, as for the ongoing discussion about what really happened on the patrol, the basic facts are not in dispute: these eight men were operating alone 300 miles behind enemy lines, fought several engagments where they were absolutely outnumbered, and finally either survived captivity in absolutely unimaginable conditions or walked 120 miles without food or water to safety. A remarkable story.

You'll never think of the Gulf War the same way after watching this harrowing, documentary-style account of an SAS squad dropped behind Iraqi lines to hunt Scud missiles. It's an intelligent, understated BBC production, so forget the cheesy cover art and snap up a rental at your local Blockbuster. No sneering villain chops for Sean Bean here; it's great to see him in an heroic role that would really be Oscar-caliber if films like this made it to theatrical release. These may be the only guys who fought the Gulf War on foot, and you'll feel like you're right there with them. A must-see war story.

My heart was beating fast and even aching when I saw the men were bitterly and terribly tortured in the prison. the war is fierce but the men, they are so adorable. all professional and excellent soldiers!
Sean Bean's acting is excellent and keeps my eyes fixed!
Besides, this is not a typical hollywood war movie, no typical heroism. but successfully reflect truth of war and fighting and get the audience to think about the other side about war and killing!
strongly recommend!

This is an excellent, gritty, realistic film based on Andy McNab's best-selling book, Bravo Two Zero. Anyone who thinks the Gulf War was a cakewalk should go rent this movie. Having served in Desert Storm myself, I found the uniforms, tactics, and the portrayal of the enemy extremely accurate. Five stars for Sgt. McNab and his comrades who live by the motto: Who Dares Wins!

This is the most technically accurate war film I have ever seen. Thank goodness it was done by the BBC and not in Hollywood (which would have ruined it). It is not made for an international audience and many of the slang phrases and in-house jokes would be lost on N. Americans (perhaps even on some Brits) but, as an ex-British soldier myself, I found it not only wonderfully authentic, right down to the length of bursts fired from the automatic weapns and stoppage drills on the rifles, but it was also hilarious! The gallows humour had me in stitches and was quite familiar to me (the scene inside the taxi alone is worth getting the movie for).

The bond between these men is well-portrayed. It doesn't take much danger and adversity to gel a team, and their situation was full of it (not that it was their first job together).

McNab did a stellar job with his input on the movie, both in tchnical detail and as the co-writer of the screen play. Evidnetly it was a labour of love.

This is now my all-time favourite war movie. Nothing out of Hollywood could ever compare.