1
00:00:05,642 --> 00:00:08,763
Tobruk is under
24 hour bombardment.
2
00:00:08,843 --> 00:00:12,642
The map on the wall keeps being
redrawn and men are dying.
3
00:00:12,962 --> 00:00:15,203
I share your impatience
with the conduct of the war.
4
00:00:15,283 --> 00:00:17,163
And I intend to do
something about it.
5
00:00:17,242 --> 00:00:19,882
Right now beauty
is not a currency I value.
6
00:00:19,963 --> 00:00:22,003
Apologies, that sounded like an attempt
to be charming, didn't it?
7
00:00:22,082 --> 00:00:24,082
I've decided to form
a parachute regiment.
8
00:00:24,163 --> 00:00:25,163
You've decided?
9
00:00:25,242 --> 00:00:27,163
I've decided you are
the right kind of men.
10
00:00:27,242 --> 00:00:30,562
The others are all insane,
in jail or like me in despair.
11
00:00:31,043 --> 00:00:32,082
Where's Mayne?
12
00:00:32,162 --> 00:00:33,563
He's going to Burma
to fight the Japanese.
13
00:00:33,643 --> 00:00:35,643
- Heard you want to come as well?
- Why not?
14
00:00:35,722 --> 00:00:39,923
- We're not at war with Japan yet.
- If Paddy's going we will be quite soon.
15
00:00:40,003 --> 00:00:43,162
We parachute units of selected men
into the interior
16
00:00:43,243 --> 00:00:45,402
and then attack Rommel's
supply line from the desert.
17
00:00:45,482 --> 00:00:47,683
- No one parachutes in the desert.
- We know.
18
00:00:48,003 --> 00:00:50,563
I was hoping Mayne would join us
but we can do it without him.
19
00:00:50,643 --> 00:00:52,402
What should we call ourselves?
20
00:00:52,482 --> 00:00:56,683
We do not stand down any more.
That should be the name of our unit.
21
00:00:56,762 --> 00:00:59,043
The men who refuse
to stand down.
22
00:01:02,082 --> 00:01:03,802
Based on a true story,
23
00:01:03,883 --> 00:01:08,803
the events depicted
which seem most unbelievable
24
00:01:09,603 --> 00:01:12,443
...are mostly true.
25
00:01:18,202 --> 00:01:20,562
CAIRO
JUNE 1941
26
00:01:56,603 --> 00:01:57,883
Hello?
27
00:02:27,082 --> 00:02:28,082
Hello?
28
00:02:33,403 --> 00:02:35,403
You must be the French person.
29
00:02:38,043 --> 00:02:40,043
Are you Colonel
Dudley Wrangel Clarke?
30
00:02:41,043 --> 00:02:42,163
At your service.
31
00:02:42,522 --> 00:02:47,443
And this is the Cairo Headquarters of
British Secret Intelligence Middle East.
32
00:02:50,762 --> 00:02:51,922
Fun, isn't it?
33
00:03:00,443 --> 00:03:03,283
If we don't get there soon,
we're gonna lose him.
34
00:03:11,843 --> 00:03:13,443
Yes, bring them through.
35
00:03:24,082 --> 00:03:27,802
Nurse, this one's fading fast.
Get him checked by the doctor.
36
00:03:27,883 --> 00:03:29,762
- Whoops.
- Excuse me.
37
00:03:30,682 --> 00:03:32,762
Dr Gamal,
here's the list of patients.
38
00:03:33,163 --> 00:03:34,802
So that's 15 from Tobruk.
39
00:03:35,283 --> 00:03:38,802
Twenty from Sidi Barrani
and one from God knows.
40
00:03:39,443 --> 00:03:41,362
This is the one
from God knows.
41
00:03:42,163 --> 00:03:44,723
Shit.
Get him through.
42
00:03:52,962 --> 00:03:55,762
I imagine you're a little
surprised I am who I am.
43
00:03:55,843 --> 00:03:57,922
This office is what
it is and...
44
00:03:58,563 --> 00:04:01,443
I do what I do
in the way that I do it.
45
00:04:02,563 --> 00:04:07,202
Nothing surprises me in Cairo, except
your Chanel dress. Where did you get it?
46
00:04:08,003 --> 00:04:09,843
Paris.
47
00:04:11,003 --> 00:04:13,802
You're so beautiful.
Wish I was French.
48
00:04:14,522 --> 00:04:16,523
I'm not French.
I'm Algerian.
49
00:04:19,002 --> 00:04:21,322
And how is this your war?
50
00:04:21,643 --> 00:04:24,643
Trying to save
Africa from the Nazis.
51
00:04:26,122 --> 00:04:28,403
Close your eyes and imagine it.
52
00:04:32,682 --> 00:04:35,643
If you're spying for the French,
I know your boss.
53
00:04:36,403 --> 00:04:37,802
He's a drunk
and a heroin addict.
54
00:04:38,122 --> 00:04:41,763
I'm able to negotiate
my way around his idiocy.
55
00:04:42,322 --> 00:04:43,723
Good.
56
00:04:47,843 --> 00:04:48,843
In that case
57
00:04:48,922 --> 00:04:52,723
when it comes to Anglo-French
intelligence operations in Cairo,
58
00:04:53,763 --> 00:04:56,802
why don't you and I just
keep it between ourselves?
59
00:04:58,442 --> 00:04:59,802
I'd like that.
60
00:05:00,242 --> 00:05:02,922
And may I suggest we
start with something...
61
00:05:03,242 --> 00:05:05,163
rather wonderful.
62
00:05:08,603 --> 00:05:12,043
- Oh, shit.
- Is that a medical term?
63
00:05:13,242 --> 00:05:14,562
You can hear me?
64
00:05:14,922 --> 00:05:17,283
Do you feel any pain?
65
00:05:18,163 --> 00:05:19,403
No.
66
00:05:20,083 --> 00:05:21,603
What about now?
67
00:05:22,763 --> 00:05:24,083
What do you feel?
68
00:05:24,963 --> 00:05:26,163
Regret.
69
00:05:27,523 --> 00:05:31,562
If I die in this way, it would mean
my life was a one act comedy,
70
00:05:31,643 --> 00:05:34,723
with not even an interval
for gin and tonic.
71
00:05:34,802 --> 00:05:37,203
Prepare him for surgery now.
Now. Move, move.
72
00:05:37,283 --> 00:05:41,963
You see, war is about deception because
deception is a war against reality
73
00:05:42,283 --> 00:05:44,843
and reality
is the enemy of the soldier,
74
00:05:45,322 --> 00:05:50,163
particularly the heroic soldier
who must live a life of heroic fiction.
75
00:05:50,482 --> 00:05:52,723
And the fruit
of deception is victory.
76
00:05:53,203 --> 00:05:54,322
Death to the truth.
77
00:05:54,922 --> 00:05:58,043
And all its bastard offspring
including fear and caution.
78
00:05:58,362 --> 00:06:03,322
Colonel Clarke, you seem to have
invented an entire British regiment.
79
00:06:03,403 --> 00:06:04,963
Yes, from thin air.
80
00:06:07,083 --> 00:06:09,682
I used actors
for the photos of soldiers.
81
00:06:10,122 --> 00:06:12,562
Planes are made
out of wood and glue.
82
00:06:12,643 --> 00:06:15,523
On aerial reconnaissance
they seem terribly real.
83
00:06:16,442 --> 00:06:20,083
I made six copies of that folder
for indiscreet distribution.
84
00:06:20,163 --> 00:06:22,643
I took one to the Gauche Club
last night in my briefcase
85
00:06:22,723 --> 00:06:25,283
where I ran into the attache
at the Spanish embassy
86
00:06:25,362 --> 00:06:26,723
as of course I knew I would.
87
00:06:27,203 --> 00:06:30,322
I accidentally left my briefcase
under his table for him to find
88
00:06:30,763 --> 00:06:34,283
so that by tomorrow morning, Berlin
will be in receipt of fresh intelligence
89
00:06:34,362 --> 00:06:37,562
that the British have a brand new
parachute regiment in East Libya
90
00:06:37,643 --> 00:06:40,482
preparing to drop
troops behind their lines.
91
00:06:40,562 --> 00:06:43,482
The Italians will send
troops back in response,
92
00:06:43,562 --> 00:06:46,322
then our glorious leader,
Commander-in-Chief Middle East,
93
00:06:46,403 --> 00:06:49,802
General Auchinleck will act,
sending three British divisions
94
00:06:49,882 --> 00:06:53,963
to attack the right flank which
will be almost defenceless.
95
00:06:55,122 --> 00:07:00,163
A battle won by wood,
glue and my own genius.
96
00:07:04,682 --> 00:07:09,163
You can have that. Make copies.
Leave it where it can be read.
97
00:07:10,322 --> 00:07:14,562
The Spanish and the Portuguese
diplomats are the fast tracks to Berlin.
98
00:07:18,682 --> 00:07:20,963
I, too, have an idea for an operation.
99
00:07:22,203 --> 00:07:24,603
Which I also think
is rather wonderful.
100
00:07:24,682 --> 00:07:28,442
But the difference is,
my soldiers are real.
101
00:07:52,882 --> 00:07:54,163
Did you find anything out?
102
00:07:54,242 --> 00:07:56,802
Yeah, apparently it was
a complete disaster.
103
00:07:56,882 --> 00:07:59,482
Stirling's parachute tore in half.
104
00:08:01,482 --> 00:08:02,603
Did he die?
105
00:08:02,963 --> 00:08:04,723
They say it's touch and go.
106
00:08:07,043 --> 00:08:10,322
See the problem with Stirling
is that he is a dreamer.
107
00:08:10,403 --> 00:08:11,523
So are you, Paddy.
108
00:08:12,322 --> 00:08:14,203
He is from that class of men...
109
00:08:14,922 --> 00:08:19,442
who do things imagining they are writing
it down in their autobiography.
110
00:08:19,523 --> 00:08:23,163
Until their biography reaches
an unexpected full stop.
111
00:08:26,442 --> 00:08:28,882
If he dies, I will attend his funeral,
112
00:08:30,203 --> 00:08:35,283
because, for some reason,
he actually liked me.
113
00:09:24,322 --> 00:09:26,842
What on earth are you doing,
jumping out of aeroplanes?
114
00:09:27,962 --> 00:09:30,442
Even as a boy you were always
idiotically optimistic
115
00:09:30,523 --> 00:09:32,523
about the effects of gravity.
116
00:09:36,802 --> 00:09:39,363
I'm told by the doctor
not to express pity.
117
00:09:41,322 --> 00:09:45,962
They said pity suggests hopelessness
which encourages despair.
118
00:09:46,602 --> 00:09:48,962
Rigorous concern
is preferred so...
119
00:09:49,043 --> 00:09:50,802
I will be rigorous in my concern.
120
00:09:50,883 --> 00:09:51,883
How are you?
121
00:09:51,962 --> 00:09:54,123
My mother looked up my condition
in a medical dictionary.
122
00:09:54,202 --> 00:09:56,442
She tells me only one in five
people with a spine contusion
123
00:09:56,523 --> 00:10:00,562
ever walk again but, I am
always, always in the minority.
124
00:10:00,643 --> 00:10:03,243
She believes I will be
one of the one in five.
125
00:10:03,322 --> 00:10:06,322
She also tells me of grouse.
126
00:10:11,202 --> 00:10:14,722
I've been working on the idea,
your idea,
127
00:10:14,802 --> 00:10:19,523
my idea now because I've added some
whistles and bells. Yes, take a look.
128
00:10:20,802 --> 00:10:22,202
This is totally illegible.
129
00:10:24,602 --> 00:10:27,283
Mmy eyes hurt so I've been writing
with my eyes closed
130
00:10:27,363 --> 00:10:31,003
but you see I'm hoping to persuade
my eyes and my legs, my...
131
00:10:31,643 --> 00:10:32,802
fucking legs.
132
00:10:35,523 --> 00:10:37,243
Persuade my legs that
they are required.
133
00:10:37,322 --> 00:10:39,562
I'm making a case
to my toes, my shins
134
00:10:39,643 --> 00:10:42,283
and my insolent knees
that they are needed.
135
00:10:42,363 --> 00:10:44,442
- Needed for what?
- Ideas are coming quickly.
136
00:10:44,523 --> 00:10:46,802
Even this feather
is confirmation.
137
00:10:47,763 --> 00:10:51,722
Falling from between
the pages like fate. Come.
138
00:10:53,602 --> 00:10:56,842
You see, on my family estate
they shoot grouse.
139
00:10:56,922 --> 00:11:00,123
But they only shoot them
when they are in the air.
140
00:11:01,403 --> 00:11:02,483
Grouse.
141
00:11:02,562 --> 00:11:05,322
We will be a regiment
of fucking poachers,
142
00:11:05,403 --> 00:11:08,322
shooting grouse,
in their roost, in the dark.
143
00:11:08,922 --> 00:11:12,163
Shooting them on the ground,
not like gentlemen, not at all.
144
00:11:12,483 --> 00:11:14,363
You know Stirling,
you might consider it prudent
145
00:11:14,442 --> 00:11:16,003
to ask them
what medication they've given you
146
00:11:16,082 --> 00:11:18,643
because you're not making
any sense at all.
147
00:11:20,082 --> 00:11:23,602
The grouse are German
and Italian aeroplanes.
148
00:11:23,682 --> 00:11:25,283
We won't wait
for them to take off.
149
00:11:25,363 --> 00:11:27,802
We will shoot them on the ground.
Lewes, think about it!
150
00:11:27,883 --> 00:11:30,802
There's no point thinking about it
'cause it's all academic.
151
00:11:31,123 --> 00:11:32,322
Even if we could get to the airstrips,
152
00:11:32,403 --> 00:11:35,523
there's no bomb small enough
to carry miles across the desert.
153
00:11:35,602 --> 00:11:36,682
And we'd need dozens.
154
00:11:36,763 --> 00:11:39,962
You can figure that out and I'll persuade
Paddy Mayne to join us.
155
00:11:40,043 --> 00:11:43,082
News from GHQ is that our
little experiment is over.
156
00:11:43,403 --> 00:11:46,403
Our unit has been stood down
with immediate effect.
157
00:11:46,842 --> 00:11:50,403
Paddy Mayne is going to Burma
and I'm going back to Tobruk.
158
00:11:51,763 --> 00:11:54,643
And I imagine you are being
sent home to Scotland.
159
00:11:55,003 --> 00:11:59,123
No. No one does things
with me or to me.
160
00:12:01,763 --> 00:12:02,883
I will get better.
161
00:12:04,003 --> 00:12:06,682
Then, Lewes, you and I
and Paddy Mayne,
162
00:12:07,802 --> 00:12:09,883
we will go poaching.
163
00:12:38,202 --> 00:12:41,842
I have some very
important intelligence
164
00:12:42,442 --> 00:12:44,922
from a long range desert group.
165
00:12:47,082 --> 00:12:50,363
But I'm afraid it's all the way...
166
00:12:55,243 --> 00:12:56,283
...over here.
167
00:12:56,722 --> 00:12:58,322
- You're a bastard.
- I know.
168
00:13:07,922 --> 00:13:10,643
I received word from
General de Gaulle last night
169
00:13:10,722 --> 00:13:14,483
and he gave me permission to speak
to you about a certain matter.
170
00:13:14,842 --> 00:13:17,442
- Here we go.
- Careful.
171
00:13:24,922 --> 00:13:26,802
These men are not actors.
172
00:13:27,283 --> 00:13:31,483
They're all French paratroopers who
escaped France ahead of the Nazis.
173
00:13:31,562 --> 00:13:36,363
General de Gaulle urgently wants these
men to join up with a British unit.
174
00:13:36,722 --> 00:13:39,043
Why are you telling me?
I do jokes and tricks.
175
00:13:39,123 --> 00:13:42,962
The British are losing the war
and need all the help they can get.
176
00:13:45,442 --> 00:13:48,883
You are the most effective
covert operative in Africa.
177
00:13:48,962 --> 00:13:50,523
You make things happen.
178
00:14:00,043 --> 00:14:02,283
Textbook recruitment technique.
179
00:14:02,722 --> 00:14:07,043
Batter me into submission with flattery.
I love it, do continue.
180
00:14:15,602 --> 00:14:18,363
British high command listens to you.
181
00:14:18,442 --> 00:14:20,883
Suggest an operation that requires
French speaking soldiers.
182
00:14:20,962 --> 00:14:24,283
Creative formulation is my area.
Don't tread on my toes.
183
00:14:24,763 --> 00:14:27,163
I'm the one who invents
regiments around here.
184
00:14:27,523 --> 00:14:29,722
I will tread on your
toes when we dance.
185
00:14:32,043 --> 00:14:33,562
We're dancing, are we?
186
00:14:33,643 --> 00:14:36,442
Phase two after flattery
is usually seduction.
187
00:14:37,722 --> 00:14:39,643
But that may not work with you.
188
00:14:41,922 --> 00:14:43,322
I do love to dance.
189
00:14:44,483 --> 00:14:45,883
So we have a deal.
190
00:14:46,283 --> 00:14:48,363
I will help you with
your fictional regiment
191
00:14:48,442 --> 00:14:50,442
if you help me
with my real one.
192
00:14:56,643 --> 00:14:57,883
Vive la France.
193
00:14:58,322 --> 00:14:59,483
God Save the King.
194
00:15:01,442 --> 00:15:02,562
Well done.
195
00:15:04,442 --> 00:15:05,763
Now let's do it all again.
196
00:15:05,842 --> 00:15:07,082
Shall we?
197
00:15:14,283 --> 00:15:17,043
11 COMMANDO CAMP
HELIOPOLIS, CAIRO
198
00:15:42,202 --> 00:15:44,043
Lieutenant Mayne.
199
00:15:47,003 --> 00:15:49,722
Paddy, are you supposed
to be somewhere else?
200
00:15:49,802 --> 00:15:51,163
We're looking for Lieutenant
Robert Blair Mayne.
201
00:15:51,243 --> 00:15:52,722
Probably.
202
00:15:53,123 --> 00:15:54,283
You're in check.
203
00:15:55,722 --> 00:15:56,962
Paddy...
204
00:15:57,602 --> 00:16:00,283
why don't you just make
yourself known to the captain?
205
00:16:00,363 --> 00:16:04,602
I'm hardly known to myself.
Plus the captain gets my goat.
206
00:16:05,682 --> 00:16:07,763
Lieutenant Mayne.
207
00:16:07,842 --> 00:16:09,962
Paddy, think about Burma.
208
00:16:10,802 --> 00:16:15,003
Don't do anything that will jeopardise
our deployment to Burma.
209
00:16:16,123 --> 00:16:19,562
Mayne, I've been looking
all over fucking Cairo for you.
210
00:16:20,043 --> 00:16:21,802
You're meant
to be in a briefing.
211
00:16:22,403 --> 00:16:25,483
But you're too busy playing
chess with your boyfriend.
212
00:16:25,562 --> 00:16:29,602
Get on your fucking feet and get yourself
a shave while you're at it.
213
00:16:31,962 --> 00:16:34,523
I have my friend in check.
214
00:16:35,483 --> 00:16:39,962
In two moves it'll be checkmate.
Now, wait your fucking turn.
215
00:16:44,163 --> 00:16:47,442
Get on your fucking feet,
you lazy Irish fucker.
216
00:17:00,883 --> 00:17:02,363
Look, here I am.
217
00:17:04,003 --> 00:17:06,402
Burma would've been so nice.
218
00:17:28,003 --> 00:17:30,362
I don't advise going in there, sir.
219
00:17:31,763 --> 00:17:33,402
Come on, open the door.
220
00:17:55,842 --> 00:17:58,602
I said I didn't
want to see him.
221
00:17:59,523 --> 00:18:02,043
And they said I had to.
222
00:18:03,243 --> 00:18:07,043
And I have grown weary of destroying
the self-confidence of these guards
223
00:18:07,122 --> 00:18:10,243
who take turns
to try and grind me down.
224
00:18:14,162 --> 00:18:15,443
What do you want?
225
00:18:21,402 --> 00:18:22,882
My mother sent it to me.
226
00:18:24,203 --> 00:18:27,402
- Did you ever shoot grouse?
- Pardon me?
227
00:18:27,483 --> 00:18:30,362
- I said did you ever shoot grouse?
- Grouse?
228
00:18:34,362 --> 00:18:35,642
No.
229
00:18:36,683 --> 00:18:37,763
Nah.
230
00:18:38,763 --> 00:18:42,963
No, no, I was never invited
to the grouse shoots in Newtownards.
231
00:18:44,963 --> 00:18:46,802
Just not the right blood line.
232
00:18:47,963 --> 00:18:49,842
Just a yeoman farmer.
233
00:18:50,723 --> 00:18:52,602
They'd have had me as a beater.
234
00:18:52,683 --> 00:18:57,043
But if I'd have been invited
to their piss up, shoot up frenzies,
235
00:18:57,122 --> 00:19:00,003
it'd have been their sunless
faces I'd have been beating in.
236
00:19:00,723 --> 00:19:05,322
Those land owning, gentrified,
boy buggering toffs
237
00:19:05,402 --> 00:19:08,483
would never have countenanced
my presence, so, no.
238
00:19:10,243 --> 00:19:12,082
No, nah, nah.
239
00:19:13,683 --> 00:19:17,203
I've shot at Frenchmen, Germans,
240
00:19:18,483 --> 00:19:19,683
Italians...
241
00:19:21,283 --> 00:19:23,003
But I never shot at birds.
242
00:19:30,362 --> 00:19:31,443
Next question.
243
00:19:33,683 --> 00:19:36,283
But I will use my blood as ink
244
00:19:36,923 --> 00:19:40,122
and this feather
as my quill to write my poetry.
245
00:19:45,402 --> 00:19:46,523
How badly do you
want to get out?
246
00:19:46,602 --> 00:19:49,122
I heard you fucked up,
jumping out of a plane.
247
00:19:49,203 --> 00:19:52,923
I hear that you fucked up
your commanding officer.
248
00:19:53,882 --> 00:19:55,963
Hit him with a piano
is what I heard.
249
00:19:56,483 --> 00:19:59,362
And as a result
you're not going to Burma.
250
00:20:00,322 --> 00:20:02,723
I go to the East
every night in my poetry.
251
00:20:05,402 --> 00:20:08,842
"By the old Moulmein pagoda,
252
00:20:09,842 --> 00:20:11,402
"Eastward to the sea,
253
00:20:12,122 --> 00:20:16,523
"There's a Burma girl a-settin',
And I know she thinks of me--"
254
00:20:16,602 --> 00:20:19,443
I want you to imagine
a British regiment--
255
00:20:19,523 --> 00:20:22,203
"For the wind Is in the palm trees,
And the temples Bells they say..."
256
00:20:22,283 --> 00:20:23,882
...without all of the things
that you hate.
257
00:20:23,963 --> 00:20:27,283
- "Come ye back You British soldier..."
- No yes sir, no sir...
258
00:20:27,362 --> 00:20:30,483
- "Come ye back To Mandalay..."
- No pips, no strips for rum and hash.
259
00:20:31,043 --> 00:20:33,683
"On the road to Mandalay
Where the flying fishes play..."
260
00:20:33,763 --> 00:20:37,402
- No bugles, no salutes...
- "And the dawn comes Up like thunder..."
261
00:20:37,483 --> 00:20:40,802
No waiting for the piss
poor orders to dribble down...
262
00:20:40,882 --> 00:20:41,882
through the ranks.
263
00:20:41,963 --> 00:20:45,122
And we would be stood down
and stood down, and stood down.
264
00:20:45,203 --> 00:20:47,003
No, there will be no one
to stand us down.
265
00:20:47,082 --> 00:20:48,923
We will be answerable
to no one.
266
00:20:51,802 --> 00:20:53,683
Answerable to no one, Paddy.
267
00:20:55,923 --> 00:20:59,082
And you have permission
for your adventure from GHQ?
268
00:20:59,162 --> 00:21:03,122
Here's the part that
you will love the most.
269
00:21:04,402 --> 00:21:08,483
We will shoot their aeroplanes
when they're parked on the ground.
270
00:21:09,203 --> 00:21:12,523
Now no doubt your father
and your grandfather,
271
00:21:12,602 --> 00:21:15,842
and great grandfather were
from a long line of poachers.
272
00:21:15,923 --> 00:21:18,963
Well now, now they will
give you medals for it.
273
00:21:19,043 --> 00:21:20,683
I asked you a question.
274
00:21:22,003 --> 00:21:25,043
Do you have
permission from GHQ?
275
00:21:25,122 --> 00:21:26,443
- No.
- No?
276
00:21:27,402 --> 00:21:28,723
I haven't told them yet.
277
00:21:28,802 --> 00:21:32,842
Then I see very little prospect of there
being any fighting in your wee circus.
278
00:21:32,923 --> 00:21:34,923
Oh, God, there will be fighting.
279
00:21:36,402 --> 00:21:39,642
There will be fighting
but only with the enemy.
280
00:21:40,723 --> 00:21:42,443
If you join us, I would
want your word
281
00:21:42,523 --> 00:21:44,683
that you will not punch
your commanding officer
282
00:21:44,763 --> 00:21:47,122
because your commanding
officer...
283
00:21:47,602 --> 00:21:48,723
It will be me.
284
00:21:49,043 --> 00:21:51,322
Your comrades will be
men like yourself.
285
00:21:51,402 --> 00:21:56,003
Sweepings of public schools,
military prisons, men who do not obey.
286
00:21:58,043 --> 00:22:00,243
Men who need only one order,
287
00:22:01,003 --> 00:22:04,683
go, kill, return, go again.
288
00:22:08,122 --> 00:22:12,362
The alternative,
the only alternative
289
00:22:13,723 --> 00:22:15,162
for you, Paddy Mayne,
290
00:22:15,243 --> 00:22:17,483
is that one day
they're going to hang you.
291
00:22:18,322 --> 00:22:20,483
Why do you want me
in particular?
292
00:22:32,402 --> 00:22:33,602
Because...
293
00:22:35,723 --> 00:22:40,162
you would use your blood
as ink to write history.
294
00:22:42,283 --> 00:22:45,283
That's very poetic.
295
00:22:46,322 --> 00:22:47,562
Are you a poet?
296
00:22:48,882 --> 00:22:51,443
Actually a painter. Failed.
297
00:22:55,483 --> 00:22:59,203
If you decide to join us,
298
00:23:00,882 --> 00:23:02,882
I can get you out of here.
299
00:23:03,243 --> 00:23:06,963
How? You don't even
have a fucking regiment.
300
00:23:07,043 --> 00:23:09,362
No, but I will have,
do you know why?
301
00:23:10,402 --> 00:23:11,642
Because...
302
00:23:12,723 --> 00:23:19,043
the fucking landowning, gentrified,
boy buggering toffs
303
00:23:19,122 --> 00:23:22,642
who used to shoot grouse on my
father's Highland estate...
304
00:23:23,802 --> 00:23:26,402
Well, now they're
running the British Army.
305
00:23:28,322 --> 00:23:29,443
Cheerio.
306
00:23:43,003 --> 00:23:46,082
TWO WEEKS LATER
307
00:24:04,683 --> 00:24:07,562
GARDEN CITY
CAIRO, BRITISH GHQ.
308
00:24:16,283 --> 00:24:18,362
Lieutenant Stirling,
8 Commando.
309
00:24:18,443 --> 00:24:20,963
I'm here to see General
Sir Claude Auchinleck.
310
00:24:21,043 --> 00:24:25,203
A lieutenant to see the commander
of the entire North Africa division?
311
00:24:25,523 --> 00:24:27,003
Do you have a pass?
312
00:24:27,082 --> 00:24:30,283
No. I do not but
I do have my class.
313
00:24:30,362 --> 00:24:31,763
If you could get
a message to the General--
314
00:24:31,842 --> 00:24:33,963
Why don't you fuck off?
315
00:24:35,402 --> 00:24:39,602
No. My message actually would be that
my father, General Archibald Stirling,
316
00:24:40,723 --> 00:24:42,243
was always accommodating
317
00:24:42,322 --> 00:24:45,443
when Claude Auchinleck
would drop by unannounced.
318
00:24:46,923 --> 00:24:48,802
Perhaps he might
return the favour.
319
00:24:48,882 --> 00:24:50,963
No pass, no entry.
320
00:24:56,003 --> 00:24:58,763
- Charming.
- And stick your class up your arse.
321
00:25:03,362 --> 00:25:04,483
Stop there.
322
00:25:07,082 --> 00:25:09,802
Right, papers please. Okay.
323
00:25:12,483 --> 00:25:14,003
Where you coming from?
324
00:25:15,402 --> 00:25:16,483
Yep.
325
00:25:19,283 --> 00:25:20,443
Okay.
326
00:25:27,683 --> 00:25:29,122
Wait, wait, wait.
327
00:25:29,723 --> 00:25:32,402
Wait! Stop the truck!
328
00:25:33,322 --> 00:25:36,402
Wait. Stop.
Wait, stop the truck!
329
00:25:59,802 --> 00:26:02,642
- Oh, shit.
- Pass, sir? Thank you, sir.
330
00:26:10,723 --> 00:26:12,003
General Auchinleck wants to know
331
00:26:12,082 --> 00:26:13,642
when this fucking noise
is going to die down.
332
00:26:13,723 --> 00:26:14,963
He's trying to work.
333
00:26:15,043 --> 00:26:16,203
They'll be done by midnight.
334
00:26:16,283 --> 00:26:19,882
Right, a crate of champagne,
that might pacify him. Come on.
335
00:26:23,882 --> 00:26:26,562
A gift for General Auchinleck
from General Ritchie.
336
00:26:26,642 --> 00:26:27,723
- Pass, Sir?
- Take a bottle
337
00:26:27,802 --> 00:26:30,243
He won't be counting. Come on.
338
00:26:30,923 --> 00:26:32,162
Thank you, Sir.
339
00:26:38,043 --> 00:26:41,082
Excuse me. I have a delivery
for General Auchinleck.
340
00:26:41,642 --> 00:26:44,203
Third floor,
other side of security.
341
00:26:47,562 --> 00:26:49,683
Corporal, come and take this for me
would you?
342
00:26:49,763 --> 00:26:51,642
- Yes, sir.
- We're going to the third floor.
343
00:26:51,723 --> 00:26:54,642
What on earth has happened
to your top button? Do it up, corporal.
344
00:26:54,723 --> 00:26:55,723
Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.
345
00:26:55,802 --> 00:26:57,003
There's a lieutenant in
the building without a pass.
346
00:26:57,082 --> 00:26:58,283
Place is going
to the fucking dogs.
347
00:26:59,043 --> 00:27:01,602
- Hello?
- There's a lieutenant who's got in.
348
00:27:03,802 --> 00:27:06,642
A gift for General Auchinleck
from General Ritchie.
349
00:27:06,723 --> 00:27:09,003
And I want to report that
I put this fucking crate down
350
00:27:09,082 --> 00:27:10,642
for one minute
in the gentlemen's lavatory,
351
00:27:10,723 --> 00:27:12,362
already two bottles are stolen.
352
00:27:12,443 --> 00:27:14,443
What is happening
to security in this building?
353
00:27:14,523 --> 00:27:15,683
We'll look into it, sir.
354
00:27:15,763 --> 00:27:18,402
I'm afraid I left my
security pass on my desk.
355
00:27:19,162 --> 00:27:21,443
- I beg your pardon?
- It's okay, sir. We know his face.
356
00:27:21,523 --> 00:27:23,483
Not the point.
Not the fucking point.
357
00:27:23,562 --> 00:27:27,243
Enlisted men should carry their security
pass with them at all times.
358
00:27:27,322 --> 00:27:29,082
What is happening
in this place with top buttons?
359
00:27:29,162 --> 00:27:30,882
Do up your fucking buttons.
360
00:27:31,243 --> 00:27:32,562
It gets quite hot, sir.
361
00:27:33,523 --> 00:27:35,043
Yes, it's Cairo.
362
00:27:36,483 --> 00:27:38,082
But we are British.
363
00:27:41,322 --> 00:27:42,443
Come.
364
00:27:44,723 --> 00:27:47,963
A gift for General
Auchinleck from General Ritchie.
365
00:27:48,483 --> 00:27:50,802
General Auchinleck
is finishing a meeting.
366
00:27:51,203 --> 00:27:53,882
And I am General Ritchie.
Who the hell are you?
367
00:27:55,122 --> 00:27:57,683
- Show me your security pass.
- I'm...
368
00:28:12,802 --> 00:28:14,043
Sir...
369
00:28:18,402 --> 00:28:19,483
Put me through
to the guard commander.
370
00:28:19,562 --> 00:28:20,763
Sir, I know you.
371
00:28:21,443 --> 00:28:22,683
And you know me.
372
00:28:23,082 --> 00:28:25,642
Both you and General Auchinleck used
to shoot on my father's estate.
373
00:28:25,723 --> 00:28:29,763
My father was Archibald Stirling.
I'm Lieutenant David Stirling.
374
00:28:29,842 --> 00:28:31,443
My mother Margaret used
to make her own gin
375
00:28:31,523 --> 00:28:34,523
and do bird impressions.
She was very good at owls.
376
00:28:38,483 --> 00:28:39,642
Hello, sir?
377
00:28:39,723 --> 00:28:41,082
Sorry I misdialled.
378
00:28:41,723 --> 00:28:45,003
Put me through to General Auchinleck
in the war room.
379
00:28:45,082 --> 00:28:47,882
Yes, I remember your face now.
380
00:28:49,402 --> 00:28:50,923
But all the spots have gone.
381
00:28:51,003 --> 00:28:54,082
A raw onion recipe for acne
that my mother invented.
382
00:28:54,162 --> 00:28:56,203
What the hell are you doing
delivering champagne?
383
00:28:56,283 --> 00:28:59,203
I'm not. I am delivering this.
384
00:29:00,723 --> 00:29:02,122
It's an idea.
385
00:29:03,683 --> 00:29:07,322
An idea that might
move the war in our favour.
386
00:29:07,402 --> 00:29:09,203
How did you get past security?
387
00:29:09,283 --> 00:29:13,562
The same way we will get past Rommel's
security and attack his airfields.
388
00:29:13,642 --> 00:29:17,443
Deception and inordinate
amounts of self-belief.
389
00:29:17,842 --> 00:29:20,003
Auch.
Remember Archie Stirling's boy?
390
00:29:21,243 --> 00:29:24,043
Gangly, spotty one who was
forever falling out of trees.
391
00:29:24,122 --> 00:29:26,802
The one who siphoned the petrol
from our cars to make petrol bombs.
392
00:29:26,882 --> 00:29:27,963
Oh, God, yes.
393
00:29:28,043 --> 00:29:30,802
Well, he's in your office.
Says he has an idea.
394
00:29:35,243 --> 00:29:37,162
Your father was
a very popular man.
395
00:29:37,243 --> 00:29:38,723
The general is on his way.
396
00:29:38,802 --> 00:29:41,322
- Do you have three glasses?
- What are we celebrating?
397
00:29:41,402 --> 00:29:43,243
Read on. You'll see.
398
00:29:44,162 --> 00:29:46,642
I can't read
your writing. Tell me.
399
00:29:47,362 --> 00:29:50,963
The Germans' eastward advance
along the North African coast
400
00:29:51,043 --> 00:29:52,802
has swung the war
in their favour.
401
00:29:52,882 --> 00:29:53,882
With respect,
402
00:29:53,963 --> 00:29:56,842
our high command has been no match
for Rommel's brilliance,
403
00:29:56,923 --> 00:29:59,402
his speed, his agility, but...
404
00:30:00,963 --> 00:30:03,683
I believe Rommel
has made a mistake.
405
00:30:05,882 --> 00:30:08,082
Lieutenant Stirling who
couldn't climb a fucking tree
406
00:30:08,162 --> 00:30:10,203
thinks that Rommel
has made a mistake.
407
00:30:10,283 --> 00:30:11,963
He has moved too quickly.
408
00:30:12,043 --> 00:30:14,082
His supply line
is 500 miles long.
409
00:30:14,642 --> 00:30:17,043
His fuel dumps and airstrips
are strung out along the coast
410
00:30:17,122 --> 00:30:19,003
with miles of empty
desert between them.
411
00:30:19,082 --> 00:30:21,923
I have a way of attacking
Rommel's airbases
412
00:30:22,003 --> 00:30:25,082
and neutralising them in advance
of the allied counterattack
413
00:30:25,162 --> 00:30:28,602
which I'm sure the two of you
are planning even as we speak.
414
00:30:30,483 --> 00:30:34,162
You don't salute when
a general enters a room?
415
00:30:34,243 --> 00:30:38,642
In my detachment there will be a
respectful disregard for form and ritual.
416
00:30:40,642 --> 00:30:43,122
How the fuck
did he get in here?
417
00:30:43,203 --> 00:30:48,082
I'm not asking for anything
other than permission and 60 men.
418
00:30:49,523 --> 00:30:51,723
Men I will choose
according to my own criteria.
419
00:30:51,802 --> 00:30:54,483
You're trying to emulate your
father and become a war hero.
420
00:30:54,562 --> 00:30:58,162
No, sir, I'm trying to emulate
my mother who, as you know,
421
00:30:58,243 --> 00:31:01,562
always gets her own way
by being famously insane.
422
00:31:02,602 --> 00:31:05,483
And by the way the petrol bombs
were my sister's idea.
423
00:31:05,562 --> 00:31:08,723
She felt sorry for the grouse
and wanted to alert them.
424
00:31:09,243 --> 00:31:12,562
I know that Winston Churchill is
raving down that telephone line at you
425
00:31:12,642 --> 00:31:14,963
to do something
to slow down Rommel's advance.
426
00:31:15,043 --> 00:31:18,122
The Germans must not
be allowed to reach Cairo.
427
00:31:18,203 --> 00:31:20,842
With 60 good men, we can cut
Rommel's supply line
428
00:31:20,923 --> 00:31:24,003
like cutting a desert snake
in two with a shovel.
429
00:31:24,082 --> 00:31:27,082
I am a long-shot,
a shot in the dark, but...
430
00:31:28,283 --> 00:31:29,602
at least I am a shot.
431
00:31:41,802 --> 00:31:44,283
You have your
father's handwriting.
432
00:31:46,082 --> 00:31:47,322
Sit.
433
00:31:50,043 --> 00:31:53,322
We have no vehicles or equipment
or weapons to spare
434
00:31:53,402 --> 00:31:54,923
for some wild experiment.
435
00:31:55,362 --> 00:31:57,162
We would steal
everything we need, sir.
436
00:31:57,243 --> 00:31:58,243
Steal from where?
437
00:31:58,322 --> 00:32:02,562
We would steal weapons and equipment
from the allied troops, first.
438
00:32:03,402 --> 00:32:06,362
And then from the Germans
and the Italians.
439
00:32:06,443 --> 00:32:09,443
We would set up our base
behind enemy lines.
440
00:32:09,523 --> 00:32:12,322
We would report to no one
and require nothing.
441
00:32:14,562 --> 00:32:15,882
And as a gentleman...
442
00:32:16,923 --> 00:32:20,523
I will wager with you both
£100 that within six months,
443
00:32:21,402 --> 00:32:23,763
we will destroy more enemy
airplanes on the ground
444
00:32:23,842 --> 00:32:26,763
than the RAF
will destroy in the air.
445
00:32:28,162 --> 00:32:29,602
By a factor of three.
446
00:32:31,523 --> 00:32:34,162
Now wouldn't that
be something to celebrate?
447
00:32:34,723 --> 00:32:39,443
So, a mysterious new parachute
regiment appears from nowhere,
448
00:32:40,642 --> 00:32:43,043
operating out of East Libya?
449
00:32:44,162 --> 00:32:47,483
Stirling, do you
have a name for your outfit?
450
00:32:48,003 --> 00:32:49,162
No, I don't.
451
00:32:49,243 --> 00:32:51,402
Well, oddly enough...
452
00:32:53,003 --> 00:32:54,322
we do.
453
00:33:24,003 --> 00:33:27,842
Lieutenant Stirling, welcome.
Welcome to my sanctuary.
454
00:33:32,683 --> 00:33:35,602
I hold my midday meetings
here because it's cool.
455
00:33:36,602 --> 00:33:38,483
And because it's so beautiful.
456
00:33:39,842 --> 00:33:42,402
And because since my whole
profession is to tell lies,
457
00:33:42,483 --> 00:33:46,362
I've chosen here as the one place
in the world where I tell only the truth.
458
00:33:49,362 --> 00:33:51,523
You should know,
whoever you are,
459
00:33:52,082 --> 00:33:55,882
that I have no interest
in espionage in any of its forms
460
00:33:55,963 --> 00:34:00,043
nor do I have any idea why
GHQ have instructed me
461
00:34:00,122 --> 00:34:02,483
to have a meeting
with a fucking spy.
462
00:34:04,562 --> 00:34:08,642
- Just tell me what the meeting is about.
- It's not really a meeting.
463
00:34:10,202 --> 00:34:11,642
It's a baptism.
464
00:34:13,323 --> 00:34:15,523
And here is the new born.
465
00:34:21,403 --> 00:34:24,883
He crosses himself at the door
and swigs whisky at the altar.
466
00:34:24,963 --> 00:34:27,762
You see,
I've researched you, Stirling.
467
00:34:30,483 --> 00:34:31,883
What is this?
468
00:34:33,602 --> 00:34:36,682
This is the uniform
of my very latest creation.
469
00:34:38,523 --> 00:34:39,843
The SAS.
470
00:34:41,923 --> 00:34:43,523
Right. Who are the SAS?
471
00:34:44,803 --> 00:34:46,323
You are the SAS.
472
00:34:48,122 --> 00:34:50,483
Let me check if
I've got the right size.
473
00:34:52,602 --> 00:34:53,722
Yes.
474
00:34:55,523 --> 00:34:58,762
Look at the badge
of your new regiment.
475
00:35:00,443 --> 00:35:02,202
Look at the pips, Stirling.
476
00:35:02,282 --> 00:35:04,602
You're to be the leader
of a brand new detachment
477
00:35:04,682 --> 00:35:08,642
and as you can see, you've already
been promoted, rank of captain.
478
00:35:09,202 --> 00:35:12,523
What the fuck
are you talking about?
479
00:35:14,642 --> 00:35:17,202
The SAS is a ghost
regiment that I created.
480
00:35:19,363 --> 00:35:24,122
And I've spent six months convincing the
Germans and the Italians that it's real.
481
00:35:24,202 --> 00:35:28,803
And then you come along, offering
to turn my ghosts into flesh and blood.
482
00:35:31,363 --> 00:35:32,762
Lots of blood.
483
00:35:36,242 --> 00:35:37,682
Fun, isn't it?
484
00:35:39,923 --> 00:35:41,122
Or is it fate?
485
00:35:48,963 --> 00:35:50,883
It's all part of a game, you see.
486
00:35:55,963 --> 00:35:59,082
I've already told you that in this place
I only speak the truth,
487
00:35:59,162 --> 00:36:00,363
so
I'll tell you the truth.
488
00:36:00,443 --> 00:36:04,523
GHQ has no great faith in your
idea for a rogue regiment.
489
00:36:05,682 --> 00:36:09,642
But, it would help enormously
with their deception
490
00:36:09,722 --> 00:36:13,722
if a few real soldiers wearing
uniforms like that could be captured.
491
00:36:13,803 --> 00:36:15,403
Or shot dead in the desert.
492
00:36:18,202 --> 00:36:20,403
So, I'm able to tell you the truth
because I've researched you
493
00:36:20,483 --> 00:36:22,443
and I know that even though
I'm making you aware
494
00:36:22,523 --> 00:36:25,363
that your unit will be a counter
in a game of deception,
495
00:36:25,443 --> 00:36:26,762
you'll do it anyway.
496
00:36:28,443 --> 00:36:31,642
'Cause you yourself
are a work of fiction,
497
00:36:32,762 --> 00:36:37,122
trying to write yourself into the
history books, just like your father.
498
00:36:37,202 --> 00:36:39,642
And probably your grandfather
before him.
499
00:36:39,722 --> 00:36:41,403
And on and on,
500
00:36:41,483 --> 00:36:47,403
all the way back to the warrior chieftains
of the great clan Stirling.
501
00:36:52,043 --> 00:36:53,363
Captain Stirling,
502
00:36:54,483 --> 00:36:56,843
agreeing to take on
the name and the trappings
503
00:36:56,923 --> 00:36:58,843
of the fictional regiment known
as the SAS
504
00:36:58,923 --> 00:37:00,843
is the only way
that you're going to get GHQ
505
00:37:00,923 --> 00:37:03,602
to give you permission
to start recruiting.
506
00:37:05,403 --> 00:37:07,722
You have 24 hours
to make up your mind.
507
00:37:15,562 --> 00:37:17,122
I don't need 24 hours.
508
00:37:21,682 --> 00:37:24,363
Oh, well, in that case,
509
00:37:25,483 --> 00:37:28,162
I hereby baptise
this new born infant,
510
00:37:28,923 --> 00:37:34,403
L Detachment, 1st Brigade
Special Air Service.
511
00:37:38,642 --> 00:37:42,562
Our father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
512
00:37:44,122 --> 00:37:46,682
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
513
00:37:46,762 --> 00:37:48,483
On earth as it is in heaven.
514
00:37:49,642 --> 00:37:52,403
Give us this day
Our daily bread.
515
00:37:52,963 --> 00:37:54,363
And forgive us our trespasses,
516
00:37:54,443 --> 00:37:56,963
As we forgive those
Who trespass against us.
517
00:37:57,282 --> 00:37:59,762
And lead us not
Into temptation,
518
00:37:59,843 --> 00:38:01,443
But deliver us from evil.
519
00:38:02,523 --> 00:38:06,363
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
520
00:38:09,003 --> 00:38:11,483
Forever and ever. Amen.
521
00:38:35,483 --> 00:38:36,843
Gone.
522
00:38:37,483 --> 00:38:38,602
Good.
523
00:38:47,483 --> 00:38:49,043
Telegram from Cairo, sir.
524
00:39:11,082 --> 00:39:13,443
- Tea for you, sir.
- Thank you, Bob.
525
00:39:20,403 --> 00:39:21,443
Riley, Almonds.
526
00:39:21,923 --> 00:39:23,122
Buongiorno.
527
00:39:24,202 --> 00:39:26,803
Remember that fuck up
with the parachutes?
528
00:39:26,883 --> 00:39:27,923
Yeah.
529
00:39:30,323 --> 00:39:33,003
Stirling wants to know
if we'll do it again.
530
00:39:35,762 --> 00:39:37,323
- Aye, yeah.
- Yeah.
531
00:39:48,523 --> 00:39:50,523
What the fuck
are you doing here?
532
00:39:51,162 --> 00:39:53,843
I'm a spy.
It's not that hard to find out
533
00:39:53,923 --> 00:39:56,843
that you like to come here every evening
at five to drink whisky.
534
00:39:56,923 --> 00:39:57,923
Drink, madam?
535
00:39:58,003 --> 00:39:59,803
Champagne. A bottle
and two glasses.
536
00:39:59,883 --> 00:40:01,602
One for me and
one for the captain.
537
00:40:01,682 --> 00:40:02,642
Yes, ma'am.
538
00:40:08,323 --> 00:40:10,003
Who told you I'm a captain?
539
00:40:12,443 --> 00:40:13,642
We have a mutual friend.
540
00:40:13,722 --> 00:40:16,043
He gave me the news
about your promotion.
541
00:40:16,122 --> 00:40:18,082
If the mutual friend
is Dudley Clarke,
542
00:40:18,162 --> 00:40:20,602
you should know
that he is not my friend
543
00:40:20,682 --> 00:40:25,122
and I do not discuss news
of any kind with French spies.
544
00:40:25,483 --> 00:40:27,323
You accepted Clarke's offer.
545
00:40:28,363 --> 00:40:30,162
You have your own unit.
546
00:40:30,242 --> 00:40:32,883
You have permission to recruit men.
That makes you very useful to me.
547
00:40:32,963 --> 00:40:35,363
Excuse me, can I
get the bill please?
548
00:40:35,443 --> 00:40:37,403
The whisky, not the champagne.
549
00:40:39,883 --> 00:40:41,523
I hope you brought cash.
550
00:40:42,323 --> 00:40:44,722
You know, I read
an article in a magazine
551
00:40:45,523 --> 00:40:48,003
about the fact that
according to research,
552
00:40:48,082 --> 00:40:50,642
in Cairo right now
the average length of time
553
00:40:50,722 --> 00:40:53,122
between strangers meeting
and having sex...
554
00:40:53,963 --> 00:40:56,242
is down to one hour
and 14 minutes.
555
00:41:01,403 --> 00:41:02,403
Sir.
556
00:41:02,483 --> 00:41:04,043
- That's fine, pop the cork.
- Of course, madam.
557
00:41:04,443 --> 00:41:07,523
I estimate it would take us 45 minutes
to drink the champagne
558
00:41:07,602 --> 00:41:09,883
and discuss the business
that we have to discuss.
559
00:41:09,963 --> 00:41:11,122
We have nothing to discuss.
560
00:41:11,202 --> 00:41:13,923
The walk to your apartment
would be 20 minutes.
561
00:41:14,003 --> 00:41:16,043
That's one hour and five minutes.
562
00:41:16,122 --> 00:41:19,483
Leaving us nine minutes
in your room to complete the dance.
563
00:41:23,363 --> 00:41:29,043
You know your profession, your calling
is very, very harmful to the soul.
564
00:41:30,883 --> 00:41:34,003
My father would invite
former spies to the house
565
00:41:35,202 --> 00:41:39,642
and they would just sit there
and stare into the fire.
566
00:41:41,122 --> 00:41:43,722
I always wondered
what they were looking at.
567
00:41:45,282 --> 00:41:46,443
What business?
568
00:41:48,682 --> 00:41:52,162
I have been asked by General de Gaulle
to find a way to get French paratroopers
569
00:41:52,242 --> 00:41:54,883
involved in combat missions
with a British unit.
570
00:41:54,963 --> 00:41:56,843
The soldiers I'm talking
about are men like you.
571
00:41:56,923 --> 00:41:57,923
Like me?
572
00:41:58,003 --> 00:42:00,043
They really want to fight soldiers,
officers.
573
00:42:00,122 --> 00:42:02,843
No, I've already
chosen my officers.
574
00:42:02,923 --> 00:42:06,202
They're a particular sort.
They are men like me.
575
00:42:07,323 --> 00:42:08,562
A particular sort.
576
00:42:09,122 --> 00:42:12,082
This... is a grouse feather.
577
00:42:13,682 --> 00:42:18,483
The grouse is a bird bred
to be shot, born to be killed.
578
00:42:19,363 --> 00:42:22,843
Apparently, according to Clarke,
my new unit is like that.
579
00:42:25,483 --> 00:42:29,162
These soldiers, these Frenchmen
without a country...
580
00:42:29,963 --> 00:42:31,722
They are prepared to die.
581
00:42:32,363 --> 00:42:36,562
I have no need of cosmetic soldiers
recruited to boost one man's ego.
582
00:42:36,642 --> 00:42:40,363
Perhaps we could get this business
done in less than 45 minutes.
583
00:42:41,963 --> 00:42:45,803
One hour and 14 minutes seems like
such an awful waste of precious time.
584
00:42:45,883 --> 00:42:48,523
You have a balcony,
let's drink it there.
585
00:42:49,043 --> 00:42:51,923
You would sleep with me
for France, would you?
586
00:42:54,883 --> 00:42:57,602
When I'm older
and stare into the fire,
587
00:42:58,963 --> 00:43:02,642
I want there to be some things
that I did just for the hell of it.
588
00:43:03,403 --> 00:43:05,122
Mostly I don't like people.
589
00:43:06,363 --> 00:43:07,483
But I like you.
590
00:43:10,562 --> 00:43:12,242
And I am of use to you.
591
00:43:15,602 --> 00:43:16,843
Yes, of course.
592
00:43:25,122 --> 00:43:28,803
It's so very odd
when one meets oneself.
593
00:43:42,202 --> 00:43:46,803
We will sleep together but there
will be no Frenchman in the SAS.
594
00:44:19,403 --> 00:44:20,963
Come on, Paddy!
595
00:44:22,883 --> 00:44:24,963
Go on, Paddy.
596
00:44:30,162 --> 00:44:31,923
Fuck off! Fuck off.
597
00:44:48,323 --> 00:44:50,483
Away from
the fucking animal.
598
00:44:52,162 --> 00:44:54,843
Fuck off.
Fuck sake.
599
00:44:59,923 --> 00:45:01,202
Aye.
600
00:45:03,963 --> 00:45:06,162
Aye, they put me
on another charge.
601
00:45:07,363 --> 00:45:09,043
Fighting in a boxing ring.
602
00:45:10,523 --> 00:45:14,003
It's like being charged for murder
in a war. Is it not?
603
00:45:14,323 --> 00:45:17,523
With the second charge,
that'll give you three years.
604
00:45:19,523 --> 00:45:21,722
And you'll be
stripped of your rank.
605
00:45:26,443 --> 00:45:29,642
Stirling got permission
from GHQ to go ahead.
606
00:45:29,722 --> 00:45:30,803
Get the fuck...
607
00:45:32,043 --> 00:45:35,843
And this time, they have a badge
and they have a name.
608
00:45:39,202 --> 00:45:41,762
"1st Special Air Service Brigade."
609
00:45:43,043 --> 00:45:46,242
Sounds like a branch
of the fucking post office.
610
00:45:46,323 --> 00:45:48,363
You are on two charges.
611
00:45:49,443 --> 00:45:54,003
Now if you get three years, this war is
gonna be over by the time you come out
612
00:45:54,082 --> 00:45:56,443
and you'd have
missed all the fun, yeah?
613
00:45:58,963 --> 00:46:00,282
Think about that.
614
00:46:03,122 --> 00:46:04,282
So...
615
00:46:07,843 --> 00:46:09,722
If you decide to join them,
616
00:46:10,443 --> 00:46:12,722
I will join the SAS too.
617
00:46:19,443 --> 00:46:21,602
Also, Stirling wants to know
618
00:46:22,162 --> 00:46:26,762
if there's anyone in here that you've met
in whom you've seen potential.
619
00:46:36,483 --> 00:46:37,843
This is Reg.
620
00:46:40,043 --> 00:46:41,242
Pleasure to meet you.
621
00:46:42,722 --> 00:46:44,403
Another fucking Paddy.
622
00:46:46,043 --> 00:46:49,162
This regiment isn't all
fucking Paddys, is it?
623
00:46:49,483 --> 00:46:51,162
For crying out loud.
624
00:46:52,883 --> 00:46:54,923
Just don't fucking annoy him.
625
00:46:56,803 --> 00:46:58,682
Morning, sir.
Commander Wilson, Gordons.
626
00:46:58,762 --> 00:47:01,202
- You have never been put on a charge.
- No, sir.
627
00:47:01,282 --> 00:47:04,523
- For insubordination or fighting?
- No, sir. Never, sir.
628
00:47:05,122 --> 00:47:06,202
Why the hell not?
629
00:47:07,682 --> 00:47:08,843
Next!
630
00:47:11,443 --> 00:47:12,602
Mayne...
631
00:47:19,242 --> 00:47:24,562
Since we have no aircraft, we will be
simulating a parachute jump landing.
632
00:47:24,923 --> 00:47:26,682
How are we gonna do that?
633
00:47:29,682 --> 00:47:31,282
See he forgot to roll.
634
00:47:31,363 --> 00:47:32,602
Pathetic.
635
00:47:33,883 --> 00:47:36,883
Do not share water,
it's a 20 mile march.
636
00:47:36,963 --> 00:47:39,602
If you don't like it,
return to your units.
637
00:47:39,682 --> 00:47:41,003
Seekings, move!
638
00:47:41,323 --> 00:47:42,443
Next!
639
00:47:45,363 --> 00:47:47,682
Are you here on behalf
of your father, son?
640
00:47:47,762 --> 00:47:49,043
I am 19-years-old.
641
00:47:49,762 --> 00:47:52,122
But so far in this war
I've killed 21 men.
642
00:47:52,202 --> 00:47:53,642
Instead of judging
myself on my age,
643
00:47:53,722 --> 00:47:57,003
I judge myself by that number
so in fact you can call me 21.
644
00:47:57,082 --> 00:48:00,722
I am looking to increase that number
and I hear you might be able to help.
645
00:48:00,803 --> 00:48:02,523
Why do you want
to fight in the desert?
646
00:48:02,602 --> 00:48:05,403
Because in the desert it will be harder
for the enemy to hide from me.
647
00:48:05,483 --> 00:48:07,202
- Hide from you?
- Yes, sir.
648
00:48:12,043 --> 00:48:13,403
Go and join those men.
649
00:48:13,722 --> 00:48:14,803
Yes, sir.
650
00:48:16,923 --> 00:48:19,242
You must learn
to march on an inch of water.
651
00:48:19,323 --> 00:48:21,363
I have proved this can be done.
652
00:48:23,202 --> 00:48:25,202
- Funny.
- Only ten more miles.
653
00:48:25,523 --> 00:48:27,722
- Next!
- Corporal Dave Kershaw, sir.
654
00:48:27,803 --> 00:48:30,282
Why do you want to fight
in the desert, Dave?
655
00:48:30,363 --> 00:48:31,803
I just love
killing fascists, sir.
656
00:48:31,883 --> 00:48:35,282
Got a taste for it when
I was in Spain like, you know. Loved it.
657
00:48:36,963 --> 00:48:38,323
Pleasure, sir.
658
00:48:47,523 --> 00:48:50,242
I understand you gentlemen
are very good at killing people.
659
00:48:50,323 --> 00:48:51,602
You heard right.
660
00:48:55,443 --> 00:48:56,562
Go.
661
00:49:19,523 --> 00:49:22,523
Don't be flapping now, Reg.
Don't be bottling it.
662
00:49:34,642 --> 00:49:37,323
- Chalky White, sir.
- Are you taking the piss?
663
00:49:37,403 --> 00:49:39,003
- No, sir.
- I think you are.
664
00:49:39,562 --> 00:49:41,642
And that's exactly
what I'm after.
665
00:49:50,162 --> 00:49:51,323
Down!
666
00:49:57,403 --> 00:49:59,403
- Oh, fuck me.
- Don't be scared, lad.
667
00:49:59,762 --> 00:50:00,923
Go!
668
00:50:02,162 --> 00:50:03,722
Get the fuck off.
669
00:50:04,923 --> 00:50:07,082
- Send that fool back to his unit.
- Next!
670
00:50:07,162 --> 00:50:09,443
Guardsman Rob Willey
of the 8th Commando.
671
00:50:09,523 --> 00:50:11,323
Right. How many women
have you slept with, Rob?
672
00:50:11,403 --> 00:50:12,523
Twelve, sir.
673
00:50:14,602 --> 00:50:15,843
Welcome to the SAS.
674
00:50:16,602 --> 00:50:17,883
Thank you, sir.
675
00:50:20,323 --> 00:50:21,642
Take cover!
676
00:50:29,963 --> 00:50:32,122
Up the fucking rifles, boy.
677
00:50:45,483 --> 00:50:46,642
Finally.
678
00:50:47,722 --> 00:50:49,242
I feel at home.
679
00:50:49,562 --> 00:50:50,602
All right?
680
00:50:51,642 --> 00:50:52,722
We go again?
681
00:50:53,122 --> 00:50:54,282
We go again!
682
00:50:56,803 --> 00:50:58,483
Brace up!
683
00:51:03,043 --> 00:51:04,282
Relax, Sergeant.
684
00:51:05,523 --> 00:51:07,003
All right, relax.
685
00:51:11,642 --> 00:51:12,963
Take these and hand
them out to the men.
686
00:51:13,043 --> 00:51:14,202
Yes, sir.
687
00:51:25,483 --> 00:51:29,883
Gentlemen, what you have before you
is a very important document
688
00:51:30,202 --> 00:51:35,883
which will inform every aspect of your
service with your new regiment.
689
00:51:37,162 --> 00:51:42,122
Page one is a list of the specific
objectives we have been given by GHQ
690
00:51:42,202 --> 00:51:45,363
for the duration
of the forthcoming campaign.
691
00:51:46,523 --> 00:51:47,523
On the second page
692
00:51:47,602 --> 00:51:50,282
you will see a diagram of the chain
of command within our unit
693
00:51:50,363 --> 00:51:52,762
along with protocols
and uniform requirements
694
00:51:52,843 --> 00:51:54,762
which must be strictly obeyed.
695
00:51:56,363 --> 00:51:58,443
And on the third page
you will see a list
696
00:51:58,523 --> 00:52:03,963
of the equipment, supplies and tactical
support we will be given by GHQ
697
00:52:04,043 --> 00:52:06,403
for our actions behind enemy lines.
698
00:52:07,043 --> 00:52:08,202
The SAS...
699
00:52:11,642 --> 00:52:13,122
...is a blank page.
700
00:52:17,883 --> 00:52:19,562
And it our job to fill it.
701
00:52:21,883 --> 00:52:24,883
Right, we move out today.
702
00:52:32,082 --> 00:52:34,803
Why don't you think
of a better badge, Jock?
703
00:52:39,282 --> 00:52:41,762
Right, you heard him, lads.
Clear off.
704
00:53:32,923 --> 00:53:34,242
Have they deployed?
705
00:53:34,642 --> 00:53:36,963
They've been sent
to a place called Kabrit.
706
00:53:37,043 --> 00:53:40,363
Two hundred miles behind
the German and Italian lines.
707
00:53:52,803 --> 00:53:54,282
What are the chances
of survival?
708
00:53:59,523 --> 00:54:02,122
My beautiful new
regiment is beyond air cover
709
00:54:02,202 --> 00:54:05,642
in one of the most inhospitable
terrains in the world.
710
00:54:06,443 --> 00:54:09,242
With daytime temperatures
reaching 50 degrees
711
00:54:09,803 --> 00:54:12,082
and very little
in terms of armaments.
712
00:54:12,162 --> 00:54:15,323
No tanks, no armoured cars,
just a truck or two.
713
00:54:17,963 --> 00:54:19,803
But they are very resourceful men.
714
00:54:32,122 --> 00:54:36,043
Just give me the percentage
that they will last beyond Christmas.
715
00:54:38,242 --> 00:54:40,202
Ten percent?
716
00:54:45,762 --> 00:54:47,642
What a curious war this is.
717
00:55:11,803 --> 00:55:13,202
This is us, lads.
718
00:55:15,082 --> 00:55:16,803
Have a piss and a fiddle.
719
00:55:40,762 --> 00:55:42,363
Let's fuck off to Burma.
720
00:55:47,403 --> 00:55:48,602
Is this it?
721
00:55:49,443 --> 00:55:51,562
There's literally nothing here.
722
00:55:54,762 --> 00:55:56,523
Fucking hell.
723
00:55:59,843 --> 00:56:00,883
This...
724
00:56:02,003 --> 00:56:03,682
is SAS base camp.
725
00:56:04,963 --> 00:56:06,082
It's just us now.
726
00:56:06,162 --> 00:56:09,202
We have complete
freedom to operate.
727
00:56:10,483 --> 00:56:11,923
This is what we wanted.
728
00:56:13,043 --> 00:56:17,443
Stopping the advance of fascism
across Africa is now down to us.
729
00:56:17,523 --> 00:56:18,682
God help us.
730
00:56:19,562 --> 00:56:22,923
We won't all survive
but we will triumph.
731
00:56:25,122 --> 00:56:27,963
All but three vehicles
are to return to Cairo.
732
00:56:28,403 --> 00:56:32,963
If any of you wish to stand down
and go back, you're free to go.
733
00:56:34,043 --> 00:56:36,963
If anyone wishes to return,
raise your hand now.
734
00:56:45,443 --> 00:56:46,722
Good.
735
00:56:47,762 --> 00:56:52,003
Well, let's set some fires,
brew some tea.
736
00:56:53,762 --> 00:56:55,722
And drink some bloody rum.
737
00:56:55,803 --> 00:56:58,602
- Come on, unload it over here, boys.
- Right, men, you heard him.
738
00:56:59,602 --> 00:57:01,963
That's right, you heard him.
Come on. Let's go!
739
00:57:02,043 --> 00:57:03,803
You heard the man. Move!
740
00:57:39,043 --> 00:57:43,963
Revised and Synchronized by
FAST TITLES MEDIA