Episode #1.1

If you are hoping to leap into the action from episode one - forget it.

It looks as if we are in for the long haul here so those that don't appreciate great cinematography, editing, production design and intricate story weaving best leave now.

For those of you with a decent attention span, stick with it, I'm sensing a six episode series will be followed by another, then another as the story evolves.

The first episode necessarily has to set the scene, explain the historical context, introduce the characters and begin the story; it does so admirably. Most of the actors are new to me which is good, there is no previous character to unsee; one well-kent (to me) face was that of Miles Jupp, perfectly cast as a somewhat ineffectual officer - much the role he played as comedy in Gary, Tank Commander.

From my limited knowledge of wartime vehicles the producers seem to have gone for authenticity, it was great to see the DH Dragon Rapide in flight and in close up.

I'm looking forward to episode 2 which I'll watch immediately after writing this and I'm hoping that the pace of the action begins to pick up.

In my opinion, Steven Knight's "SAS: Rogue Heroes" has one of the most confidently made launch episodes of any large budget BBC series I think I've seen for a very *long* time; from Helen Chapman's slick, rhythmic, inventive editing to Stephan Pehrsson's cinematography, Richard Bullock's fantastic production design to the punky score from Ilan Henry Eshkeri etc. The teams both in front of & behind the camera use their combined efforts & undeniable talents to imbue each & every scene with a real, tangible vibe & personality & hence, I can clearly understand why the channel has already invested so heavily in it, as the pilot (ironically) is admittedly extremely promising, brimming with potential that's emanating from the innumerable accomplishments made in each & every respective department.

Plus, I love that the story - in its own way - kind of answers the question which will have been on many fan's lips for some time now: "is it the next Peaky Blinders?" The response is a resounding "no", because it's brazen that it's not trying to be; rather than recreate the successes of the past, this daringly endeavours to carve out its own ideas for the future & I commend the audacity if the creative decision to act as the literal antithesis; renouncing the super serious, brooding tone of old & confronting the absurdity of its own premise instead, in a somewhat self aware, wink to the camera manner.

Yes, many may have expected (or even wanted) the creator to unimaginatively copy & paste his previous style & reformulate it to fit this narrative (in some kind of unoriginal rehash, adopting the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach), but I appreciate how he & filmmaker Tom Shankland (who've paired up for the first time together here) are courageous enough to clearly differentiate the two series (both tonally & visually), taking this production in a completely different direction, gifting the project with its own distinctive, quirky sense of identity - which feels fresh & new, though I sense it might also come as a surprise to those who'd assumed it would be something quite similar to what they've typically grown accustomed to from the writer & therefore, assume it it shan't be to their tastes... Or maybe they'll gradually grow used to it, over time?

Personally though, I enjoyed it & must concede it's rare for a show to debut with so much energy & vigour, right out the gate. Of course, it's certainly taking its time establishing these characters, the period & the stakes etc. But first installments are always bogged down by obligatory introductions & world building, since that's their entire purpose - to act as a taster for what's to come - & so I'm willing to accommodate for its willingness to take its time, adapting the novel to the screen, bringing these stories to life - as I'm sure they'll deliver on their promises by the end.

Thus, despite the flaws, it has an endearing charm & I'm interested to watch the rest.

The military equipment is well sourced, locations are good, the cast is very good, but the music is annoying. The producers have taken their cue, in regard to the score, from Peaky Blinders, which keeps the viewer from being able to suspend disbelief by inflicting upon the action onscreen a modern rock score.

This first episode is hung on the horns of a dilemma: whether to tell the story as a comedy or as a serious war/action series. The trouble is that the comedy is heavy-handed and the subject matter doesn't lend itself well to comedy.

I would enjoy the story of the origins of the SAS if it were more of a drama without the attempts at witty repartee.

David Stirling and Jock Lewes are frustrated and disillusioned with the handling of their military situation, the pair take matters into their own hands.

There's a big tagline at the start of the episode, stating that it's historically mostly accurate, I have no little knowledge of this scenario so my review is based on my enjoyment of the first episode, perhaps not from an entirely historical pomt of view.

It does the job, I want to come back for more, definitely an interesting scenario, and I can see that there's some big potential there, this almost feels like an origins episode, how the feared unit came to be.

A hugely impressive production, it looks as though no expense was spared, it certainly looks accurate.

Strong performances all round, Connor Swindells and Alfie Allen really stood out.

Pretty Good.

7/10.

From Steven Knight the creator of Peaky Blinders. This is a brash drama about the creation of the SAS during the early days of World War 2.

Based on the book by Ben MacIntyre. The viewer is informed that what follows is mostly true.

English soldier David Stirling (Connor Swindells) is living under the shadow of his father's military exploits. He is also frustrated by the incompetence of his superiors.

Not putting in enough petrol in the trucks to reach Tobruk. Someone mistook kilometers for miles.

Paddy Mayne (Jack O'Connell) is a tough Irish soldier who escapes his cell by beating up several military policemen who wanted to hang him.

Jock Lewes (Alfie Allen) is a Welsh soldier in battle who does not flinch as the bombs fall near him.

It is Jock who has an idea of forming a parachute regiment that is answerable to no one.

Billed as an action packed, boys own heroics. I was waiting for the story to start even after the first episode finished.

There was little action, lots of testosterone and a subplot involving a French intelligence officer played by Sofia Boutella.