SAS: Rogue Heroes

In this special episode of We Have Ways, Al and James turn their hand to being TV critics.
The boys were lucky enough to see a preview of the new BBC series SAS: Rogue Heroes, which is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Ben Macintyre. The six-part series is set in 1941 and charts the creation of the famed Special Forces unit.
James and Al give their thoughts on what they got right, what they got wrong and whether overall the show is faithful to the spirit of the events.
You can watch episode one of SAS:Rogue heroes tonight (Sunday 30th November) on BBC1 at 9pm.

[@theindoorkites]

I actually thought it was all good fun and made casual watchers interested in the origins of the SAS. It was so enjoyable for me. Obviously not a documentary and they took a lot of liberties but compared to most similar period dramas, it was more accurate in a lot of different places too. They did a very good job considering they shot this in Morocco during covid restrictions. As long as it keeps the interest of the public (which, ridiculously high ratings and perfect reviews and instant s2 confirmation suggests it does), makes people pick up a book, watch a documentary and interviews with the originals, listen to historian podcasts and fact checking, it's doing a good thing in the end. I kinda wish i heard your commentary on the rest of the episodes too!

[@nickmalein]

Interesting to compare with Ben Macintyre’s SAS Rogue Warriors on BBC4. The interviews with the real soldiers highlight the dramatic licence the script writers have taken. Mike Sadler is a real star and still alive - 102!

[@hatjodelka]

I saw this come up on iPlayer and it confirms my general view of dramatisation of real events. Luckily the whole Ben Macintyre documentary series is also up on iPlayer so I'll watch that instead.

[@misterballista]

The excuse that Rogue Heroes is "of its time" and that explains the ridiculous behaviour and language Stirling exhibits to his superiors and, more shockingly, to a lady, is bunkum. Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Greyhound, and so on show that you can have strong characterisiation that enthralls a "modern" audience while being authentic to the historical period being portrayed. The reason Rogue Heroes is the way it is isn't to do with when it's been made but who is making it. It would be impossible for the woke BBC to allow itself to make a drama series about the military, about white military men who are officers and middle/upper class, about the military values of heroism, courage and honour, without having to view them through a post-modern lens which ultimately mocks and belittles them. And that's exactly what happened. In 20 years people will still be enthusing about Band of Brothers. Rogue Heroes, not so much.

[@KevG1962]

Having just finished reading the excellent The Phoney Major, I'm both looking FWD to seeing this and expecting to be disappointed at the same time. 😬