Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3893 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

Royal Marine Commando : From Intake to 1st Deployment
This is an absolutely fantastic DVD. Approximately 5 hours of terrific footage. It starts with 50 recruits of 924 Troop and follows them all the way through their 32 weeks of basic training. It's a very accurate portrayal of life. Obviously theyy don't show you everything such as 'administrative punishment' and some of the harsher beastings but it's pretty thorough. I would definately commend the film to anyone thinking of going into the forces as it's not so different. (This comes from experience) The main difference with Marines is fitness levels and determination. This is shown by several candidates who were unable to pass physical atttributes beng accepted into other branches such as 'Sappers'. Of the 50 who start out only 5 originals make it. However 21 of the 50 pass. Meaning that 16 of those that were back-trooped also made it in the end. That's not a bad pass rate at all considering this is supposed to be a very elite regiment. You also need to remember out of all those failures most of them are PVR's (I'm not sure what it's called now but when I was in it stood for Pre-Volunary Release) Meaning that most of those who don't make it quit. Only a few are asked to leave and that's usually because of a medical discharge or attitude.
The 2 DVD's finish up by showing 2 of the 5 who passed out going to Afghanistan immediately to join a platoon who the film maker had been following as well as the trainee's. In that time the platoon suffer a fatality and wounded marines. It's a really really good look at Military life and it's done without any glamour and certainly brought back a lot of memories.
5* recommndation.

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.