Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #659 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-01-21
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 213 minutes

DVD Description

In Commando - On The Front Line, director Chris Terrill embarks on a courageous 12-month journey to Afghanistan alongside Britain's most elite front line troops--the Royal Marine Commandos. A division of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marine Commando directs the most physically and mentally challenging training regime of any military contingent in the United Kingdom, and only the cream of the crop gets through. This eight-episode series provides fascinating insight into the experiences of the 50 new recruits of 924 Troop--following the "Bootnecks" through their hardcore eight-month training period, right up to their arrival on the front line and first moments wearing the illustrious green berets in combat. The transformation of the young men is incredible, as is the footage obtained by Terrill, who got involved side-by-side with the boys at every step of the way.

Synopsis
Chris Terrill films a group of Royal Marine recruits as they attempt to become commandos and then films them as they prepare to fight in Afghanistan.

Customer Reviews

Interesting - yet a git too long
Interesting. Interesting to see what the famous training is. And it is really very tough. Extremely tough. Interesting to see how the officers have fun blacking out the silhouettes from the photo. Interesting to see the real fight and the skills taught used live in Afghanistan.

Yet the 8 episodes and the extra (I didn't whatch it - I had enough) is too much. It is repetitive, and despite all the respect I have for these men, it is boring to see the same thing over and over again.

I liked it, but would have loved it if it had been 4 episodes instead of 8.

The best of the lot
There are a few of these type of documentaries available at the moment, however this has to be the best because you get to see the recruits from start to finish (no matter how they end up) from bumbling idiots to Royal Marines for a few of them and on the first train home after a few days for the chaps who were out of their depth. I liked the fact that the camera is in the new recruits faces as they step off of the train onto the platform.

The best part of this dvd is the extras, (well extra). This is where the film maker decides to get stuck in and do the training himself and at 55 years of age what he achieves is truly remarkable.
Me and my mate found ourselves shouting at the television for the old guy to kick it in the guts and get his arse over those monkey bars!

a brilliant insight into being a Commando
I loved the series. As a person planning to go to Sandhurst, I found the show very informative on the situation in Afghanistan better than any news article I read. The DVD helps paint a picture of the problems faced by frontline soldiers. My only criticism of the show is that ITV didn't commission longer episodes (22mins for all but the first episode), but I can live with that. A top rate series and the bonus documentary were inspiring.