Director: Ian Sharp
Starring: Lewis Collins, Judy Davis, Richard Widmark, Edward Woodward, Robert Webber, Tony Doyle, John Duttine
Running Time: 118 minutes
Certificate: 15
Extras: Audio Commentary, The Last Of The Gentleman Producers Documentary, Bonus Feature Film: THE COMMANDER, Collector’s Booklet
These days the SAS are hardly the secretive organisation of elite soldiers they probably wish they were. We have plenty of books, films, and TV shows that have examined the world of these highly trained individuals. But WHO DARES WINS was first released in 1984. It was meant as a tribute to the anonymous heroes of the SAS from producer Euan Lloyd. In many respects it certainly covers that ground, but it also feels a lot like a recruitment video at times.
The film begins with a protest against nuclear weapons and the like. Some of the members of this procession waved at the cameras as they passed by, so I assumed this was meant to be news footage, but it turns out I was wrong. Suddenly, a man is shot with a crossbow and pandemonium erupts. It is revealed that this was an undercover agent attempting to infiltrate ‘The People’s Lobby’, a group of anti-nuclear radicals. The secret services call upon the SAS, who are quick to place one of their own, Commander Peter Skellen (Lewis Collins), as a disgraced undercover operative.
WHO DARES WINS should have focused on the emotional turmoil of Skellen and the things he has to do to retain his advantageous position in the group. Skellen has to cheat on his wife and take a beating from fellow SAS officers in order to carry on the ruse, but he never truly seems at odds with the choices he must make. It could have played out as a mystery as to whether Skellen would side with the radicals, but again, it never convinces us of anything but his loyalty. This interesting hypocrisy of being disloyal to his wife in order to remain loyal to his country is such a fascinating idea, that it’s a shame that it is simply ignored.
When the film does decide to look into some important political messages, it delivers them with clunky dialogue that these days would be the opening line of a Wikipedia entry discussing such political positions. “I am a ____ I believe that ____” etc. The film would much rather try and entertain us with action sequences, and it does this incredibly well. You have to wait a while for the tension filled climax, but when it hits, the violence and arrival of the SAS is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
The lead actors Collins and Judy Davis do the best they can, but their characters just seem lacking due to the writing. Davis is meant to head this radical group, yet she hops into bed with a suspicious man as soon as possible. There’s no sense of suspicion from her, and that is what makes me question whether her heart was really in on the cause at all. This, again, is something that just isn’t used to its full potential, as before the radicals can reflect on their actions when it’s obvious they are in over their heads, in burst the SAS.
Overall this is a film that was certainly a product of its time. It has a message to deliver, but was a bit too forceful and blatant. There are plenty of interesting scenes, such as watching Skellen avoid a tail, and the daring rescue of Skellen’s family. I can’t imagine anyone with an interest in the British military coming away disappointed.
WHO DARES WINS is released on Blu-ray on 8th October 2012. Order your copy here.
