SASR Battle for the Golden Road (1984) | Full Movie

Channel 9 Australia filmed this SASR selection documentary 40 years ago this year “Battle for the Golden Road”
SASR Selection Doco from 1984, Battle for the Golden Road, PLATATAC proudly share this with the guys that attended 40 years ago
BATTLE FOR THE GOLDEN ROAD documents the secret armed forces unit SAS, the entry conditions, the training and the lifestyle of the unit.
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[@aussie_xsf]

I completed the selection course the following year, it was gut busting all right, watching this and seeing many old faces brings back great memories. Best days of my life in the Regiment.

[@hopefullyreasonable]

Can I trouble you with a question that has annoyed me for years? There was a bloke telling old SASR warries on a random Aussie tech forum many many years back (forum since deleted and I've forgot the name too) and he talked about running a training exercise on a west Australian island. They had be tasked with finding a big concrete observation post and demolishing it. They were trekking across sand and realised it was crunching like glass, and that it was an old nuke test site. I now know it was part of the Monte Bello island tests, but have never been able to scratch the itch of whether it was a true story. I've found that there is indeed a demolished concrete observation post, but the sand doesn't appear to have been glasses. Anyway, any chance you ever heard anything about this? Surely declassified by now. Always wondered.

[@aussie_xsf]

@@hopefullyreasonable I never heard about that but it wouldn't surprise me , the regiment started in 1957 so anything is possible , thanks for asking though.

[@prizecowproductions]

Aussie xsf thank you for your service. Aussie Jeff Moore

[@petejitsu]

@@hopefullyreasonable, Britain tested atomic weapons at three sites on Australian territory: the Montebello Islands off Western Australia, and Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia. The testing took place from 1952 to 1963, mostly at Maralinga. The Montebello Islands , were carried out in 1952 /53 , the SASR was formed in 1957, not a chance they were sent there, never heard or read anything in regards to this. There are “story tellers” out there

[@hopefullyreasonable]

@@petejitsu thanks for the reply but I think you misunderstood. He wasn't saying he was a part of the tests, he's saying they ran an op on the site many years later.

[@appptyltd9436]

I shot much of the footage in the Stirling Ranges and at Northam, including dangling off a knotted rope halfway down a grain silo. It was the first of many similar "real-life" military documentaries. The concept and much of the "producing" was the work of the then Major John Weiland. Sadly, Colonel Weiland died recently; he was an inspiring boss and became a great friend. Watching the film again brings back many powerful memories of the project, not the least of the determination and stamina of the men on selection and the regiment's very professional DS.

[@friendlybut6753]

How do you feel about that because humanity is getting scarce these days and what remains is animalistic

[@friendlybut6753]

Thank you for everything you have done by the way

[@aussie_xsf]

Well done, your footage shows the selection course ( well, back in 84 ) in all its glory, it is almost impossible to give viewers an insight to it, however you nailed it..

[@friendlybut6753]

Some of us still remember reality

[@kwakagreg]

back in the early 60s I was a sport parachutist at Camden. The original Sydney Skydivers . One day a Lieutenant turned up with a couple of troopers (cant remember how many didn't write it in my log book) and asked could we show them how to sky dive using what then was called the French FROG position which we were teaching ourselves from American magazines and through trial and error. They were using the delta method which gave little control. They were great blokes and very disciplined. One incident stands out in my memory, after jumping on the Saturday we retired to a local pub at which a local truckie miner started making rude remarks about one of our lady jumpers called Kay. Suddenly this trooper jumped up grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up against the wall and looked like he was going to drive his fist through his head. The Lieutenant (Danny if my memory serves me)) saw this and just yelled out 'Name" put him down!" the trooper sprang to attention with "SIR" and just dropped him on the floor! and went and sat down again. We had no trouble with the miners after that! I later heard that they had come down privately without authorisation and I'm not sure but heard he was court martialed. I hope not because he was only trying to do the right thing and they were thoroughly nice blokes. Many years later in Thailand I played squash with an ex CO and in Defence I worked with a Lt Colonel engineer who had been in SASR so long he needed experience back in the engineering world !! A nicer bloke it was hard to imagine. His idea of brisk walk was to lead a team of volunteers from (I think) Batemans Bay to Kosciusko across country... ..took them a couple of days>>> P.S I'm 84 now so please excuse any memory lapses or omissions but it still seems to be very clear like last week. About that time I didn't quite manage the commando course on Middle head (couldn't get up that Damn rope!!! ) so they were much fitter than me ....

[@me-cq7wv]

All over the comnonwealth the SAS are legends. Their endurance and being able to fight and leg it over vast distances with kit is just astounding. To think they are the best in their regenment at the time of selection and when they pass their just starting in the SAS. Amazing I take my hat off to you guys. Regards from Scotland.

[@gregmcmanus9813]

I remember watching this in the 80's and then completed selection in 1990, great memories of The DS trying their best to get you to pop smoke.

[@southaussie5108]

As an Airfield Defence Guard of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF ADG) back early 1970s twice we played enemy for the SA. Mullawea (i think east of Geraldton) and Collie River/ Stirling Ranges. Great times and great memories now that I am 72yo.

[@kevman0154]

Rhodie brushstroke, DPM, M81 Woodland, OD Greens, ERDL, man these guys have every camo under the sun. Excellent doc!

[@EEST-Militia]

the men's camo, unlike nowdays, rubbish multicam makes me sick.

[@OldFellaDave]

also early DPCU Trial Cams

[@chaffcutter58.]

The bloke's that appear to be wearing Rhodesian cam,are really wearing Malaysian cam, i believe, Used to do A.M.E. for the "cadre" course, even saw some super Troopers wearing ww2 marine cam.

[@kevman0154]

@@chaffcutter58. wow i just searched foe malaysian brushstroke. You are right! Never knew that camo even existed. Good eye.

[@meinhoffendant]

Having the same narrator as Malcolm Douglas is just icing on the cake

[@zb1307]

I knew I recognised it haha awesome

[@HonchHeado]

My neighbor was in it until later I never even new sitting there playing xbox drinking beers with a little small guy who had been not only in the SAS but active combat best bloke ya could have met.

[@lard_lad_AU]

Great job Platatac. Really enjoyed watching this in full. Well made doco with no suspense soundtrack or dramatised scenes. Just unvarnished reality.

[@MartinHughes-cc6lc]

Thanks for uploading, I've been searching for a complete version for years. I remember watching this when it was released when I was a kid. Awesome viewing.

[@Craqthump]

Remember watching this at 1rtb in 1987 with our secco's, I was in awe of these guys... they were like gods

[@TonyDonovan-yv2es]

Completed the Cadre course in 1967. We were aged between 19 and 30 years, it was a six week duration course. Conducted at Swanbourne and on Rotness Is. We all passed and were awarded our Sandie Beret, most of us posted to 3 SQN.

[@chaffcutter58.]

Noddy says Hi !

[@MicMc539]

I remember this SASR from the 70's. When firing a shot compromised the Patrol and buggered the Mission. The new SASR that is just an American assassination squad is anathema to Australian values. DUTY FIRST.

[@kwakagreg]

I'd be very careful who I said that to. They are fine men who are highly trained to obey orders without hesitation. People can get killed if they don't.

[@MrOptimusheath]

Remember watching this 20 years ago, Always made me not give up, remembering those that failed

[@colinjones7741]

Loved the SLR.

[@Laconic-ws4bz]

Met a bloke in Canberra who was an original member from Britian. He was a quietly spoken gentleman who became a social worker. I stayed at his home for a couple of weeks and saw some of his SAS memento's. This was in the early 80's.

[@YTIABFO]

Fantastic documentary. Any chance of Platatac sourcing the Strike Swiftly TV series that aired on the ABC ( I think)? Thanks for uploading 👍

[@wiggles7172]

That is a blast from the past and a good series too.

[@kingmany1]

yes!! the full movie !! legend.

[@user-lr2jv7dh7t]

That’s right, we used to use the old 30cals then. Used to have them dual mounted with a 50cal on the buckets, bloody things firing 2 inches from my head, no wonder I’m deaf as a post now. Not to mention when you slam your top lip into the cupola ring cause your fkhead driver buries it nose first in a ditch.

[@precessionoftheequinoxes3224]

Or the butt of a Mag58 in the middle of your chest 😅.

[@chriswatson6231]

Reminds me of camp carlton which i did aged 10. Anyone from hobart, tasmania who went to a certain boys school in sandy bay i am sure will relate. Long running in full clothing, orienteering, eating food that made you spew, and of course who could forget the games of "mugby" ( 4 team no rules rugby union- you get the idea ). Of course it doesn't compare with sas selection, but we were kids and this film brings back so many memories of the camp that was meant to instill self reliance. And it worked. I learned that when your sick, tired, wet ,cold, sleep deprived, and you know you're on your own, its not a fatal condition. And if your going to cry, (we were 10 year olds) you do it silently when running in the rain

[@SuperVonKiller]

Haven't seen this in over 30 years, thanks for posting..

[@seanwatts8342]

I went through SWC (US Army) in the 1990s and we were required to view this, among others, in our off time.

[@AusFeral23]

It would be great to have more Aussies like this 🇦🇺 👍

[@reubenmosman9466]

Very interesting, thanks for the availability to watch the film.

[@trident1314]

Great documentary...was kinda surprising to see how formal it is when they pass in comparison to how 22 SAS apparently do it.

[@davecook7487]

Brilliant film! I can't imagine what that would've been like in the Australian heat. Thank you for posting it up!

[@perpetualgrin5804]

Most years I ski around Falls Creek patrolling around 20 km from the village, camping out. Australia lacks troops trained in the snow.

[@ray.shoesmith]

Yeah, because Aussie troops do a shitload of fighting in snow

[@chrisg3517]

Argh nightmares of Northam in the mid 90’s as the place was falling apart. Heaps of the buildings disappeared between 1996 and 1998. I swear I met Cpl Cole in 1996.

[@timp3931]

One guy on the mountain section was wearing jungle boots - no support. What do these guy have against rifle slings? Good film.

[@turbocalves]

If Andy McNab is to believed, the lack of sling is used by UK SAS to make things harder. It's a small thing. But from my very limited experience it makes sense. (I once carried a Carl Gustaf for a day without a sling, hated life)...

[@terminal.man02]

Love cold war stuff Great work

[@adamferguson8781]

Great documentary 👌 Makes me wonder if the cadre course has changed at all over the years or the tried and true method has stayed.

[@robstewart3948]

Some great men in this movie

[@dmystify1381]

yes...know a few also.

[@robstewart3948]

@@dmystify1381 I grew up in Swanbourne as my father was SASR sgt Alan Stewart

[@johnsmith-ht3sy]

6:00 Rhodesian brushstroke camo.

[@Mizone505]

I remember Northam like it was yesterday. That pipe is a cruel and nasty pti induced pain session. Now it's a immigration detention centre 😢

[@chrisg3517]

The Immigration Detention Centre is just next to Northam Army Camp.

[@Nosedruul]

Those 1980s ration packs were all 10 ciggies 2 biscuits 1 tin Vegemite 30 dexys.

[@michaelfrost4584]

My goodness seeing myself after all those years 😊 ex 1 sqn Btp

[@nacholibre1962]

The poem is miss-quoted. It’s not “buried with snow”, it “barred with snow”.

[@angloaust1575]

Made before the ben Roberts Smith era!

[@wiggles7172]

Question everything.

[@leonardgmiller8924]

Made before the Muslim era if you had ever read the Quran you would know to fight in this manner against Islamic holy warriors would've meant your death all Ben Roberst-Smith did was fight the way they did which if we want to win we have to or we will never win another war. There are no 'rules of war' in jihad

[@eddieandrews3335]

Thank fuck they're on our side

[@sebduncan5796]

@55:30, is that the fella from ALONE AUSTRALIA?

[@NamLe-jq3oq]

Any background on that officer wearing Rhodesian Brushstroke at 6:00? Looks like they were wearing standard British DPM until that part.

[@swalker157]

I was wondering too. Some of the cadre had Dpm, erdl, bunny cam and the old guy in the jeep had ww2 Denison camo.

[@angloaust1575]

Some ex rhodesians may have joined!

[@Thepigfromthepot]

Jeep?

[@swalker157]

@@Thepigfromthepot35:05 he rides in a jeep deciding whether or not to pull people later

[@Thepigfromthepot]

No jeeps in this film mate

[@hopefullyreasonable]

I remember watching this years ago on KZbin. Why is platatac re-releasing?

[@between666]

I hope they joined the reserves after the army.

[@buzz5969]

@1:13 whats the purpose of having a vehicle that dont work? And they ALL had the same rations, why would I gove someone else mine?

[@buzz5969]

@26:14 Dude smoking a cig lol. Thats should be a disqualifying habit as in the bush that shit can be smelled for miles and give away the entire Team.✌🏻🍻

[@1337flite]

They don't have to strangle their chooks? ;-)

[@michaelmorrison-nu8mb]

I'm hungry for Chookins now, 🐓🍗

[@tmac8718]

This is how an Army builds tough warriors. No better way to do it. The powder puffs of today's Army need to go back to this.

[@PersonalityMalfunction]

Back in the bad old days when performance mattered, when merit was more important than 'attributes' and results were accurate, without being adjusted and corrected for 'privilege'. Our current generation of soldiers are fortunately ranked according to social credit scores, not just by accomplishment and results. We are indeed lucky to have progressed beyond this barbaric practice of not accounting for 'identity'.

[@michaelstirling3782]

Why do many different uniforms?

[@HonchHeado]

Different Ops like the navy seals always in different they could even be in civvi clothes.

[@michaelstirling3782]

@@HonchHeado Hi,the doctor had British DPM jacket on,I also saw British Dennison smock also French lizard pattern and I think American camo aswell?

[@HonchHeado]

@@michaelstirling3782 Mate they were more sets of clothes a day than us.

[@larstueschjth2658]

This is freaking FORTY(40)Y old, what's with yt algorithms? 🙄

[@ray.shoesmith]

omfg 🤣 Its an old VHS movie that was uploaded onto youtube 12 days ago. KZbin didn't even launch until 2005 ya fkn Gronk 🤣

[@mikeh692]

I wonder whether any of them ever saw a shot fired in anger……

[@SouthBurnettShireCountySheriff]

Maybe the odd one…

[@angloaust1575]

In the movie The odd angry shot !

[@kwakagreg]

for their sake I hope not. It means you are probably being shot at... ever tried it? I haven't and thank my lucky stars..

[@OldFellaDave]

There would have been more than a few 'exchanges' over the years to various parts of the world.

[@aussie_xsf]

Absolutely they would have, about 7 years later the first gulf war broke out.

[@michaelconnolly4382]

Anyone who collapses at the end should be disqualified. The object of this run is to get there in an allotted time and be able to carryout your task. No good to anyone if they have to utilise able bodied soldiers to care for some one who is not up to the task!

[@PBMS123]

Well clearly you didn't listen. The aim is to see who puts I'm 100% effort. If you run yourself into the ground you're clearly trying.

[@swalker157]

What’s your run time?

[@kwakagreg]

@@swalker157 the remark of someone who hasn't tried it

[@The_Comedian556]

Yeah and now days the selection course is a joke. Watered down to just over a week for both Regiments. Just so they could accommodate certain groups who weren't passing the old course.

[@WorzelGummage79]

That's a load of crap. It's longer than a week.

[@The_Comedian556]

@@WorzelGummage79 I said its just over* a week, read what I said. Its 10 days, the point is its no longer 21 and its not done in the west. Modern selection course is the same for every regardless of Regiment or trade, even support staff do the same one. And when you finish its basically a popularity contest to see who gets which unit. Guys finish and say they would like to go west only to be told no and the be handed 2cdo as a conciliation prize and vice versa. Its no different to SOER with non RAE guys being invited to join that unit despite having background in the role. Its totally taken away the cultural separation between each unit which was a good thing. As a result theres no real difference between the units anymore other than the hat you wear.

[@waveygravey9347]

The selection course isn't the end, dumass. They go through training courses for about 2 years.

[@charliemarkovic4301]

I don’t know where you get your information from. The SASR selection is 21 days long. After selection, new members are on a constant daily review until their training is complete which is 18 months.

[@PBMS123]

​@@The_Comedian556 you're just wrong. Whilst there is a combined special forces test now after the Brereton report. However there is still a force specific selection and training following that. It's definitely not as you say, not to mention that actual operators do so much more training and selection than support staff. Don't be daft

[@Aaronsmith-cu8ii]

How refreshing, not one pixelated face, not one altered voice, no nondescript baseball cap or flannel top, not one tacticool beard no one trying to hide their identity but just a bunch of no nonsense blokes out there to work.

[@maxaug100]

Unfortunately it's a security risk so they don't get targeted when they are back at home

[@OldFellaDave]

It's because it was an internal Army filming project, not a commercial or news organisation, and none of these men are still serving as it was 40 years ago now.

[@maxaug100]

​@@OldFellaDave It was literally filmed by channel 9 I get what you're saying but i doubt they blurred faces back then

[@LifeBetter-lh5zs]

About time Australia became a republic, stop this limey control

[@steveforster9764]

Why?

[@flowerpower8722]

People say stuff like that, but nobody ever states an alternative proposal. Personally I prefer the current system, developed over several hundred years, to handing the reins to some self absorbed rabble.

[@chriscollardey8155]

I remember my fourteen kilometres jog army boit's rifle Thirty five kg back pack. But also Ten kilometres zodiac against half knot current upstream. But before all that we had seventy kilometres march. But that was in my young days .

[@friendlybut6753]

Something today's men should experience if not for the experience alone

[@friendlybut6753]

Bring back mandatory conscription lol it might draw a line of who can cope and who can't

[@friendlybut6753]

I wonder if these generations could keep humanity alive asif it needed to be kept alive as it used to be

[@zb1307]

To any Sasr vets reading this thank you for your service. Don’t believe what the disgusting abc and the traitor politicians and bureaucrats say in the media. 99% of Australians absolutely respect you guys and love you for what you do for us. The politicians put you impossible situations and expect ridiculous lolly pop and rainbow outcomes. Average Australians understand you guys have been scape goated and it’s disgusting. These same bastard politicians wonder why they can’t get Aussie men to sign up to go fight their wars now.

[@test-201]

its the S∀S