Customer Reviews

The Patrol [DVD]

I saw The Patrol in Brighton this evening, and really enjoyed it.

if you like Michael Bay style action or gung-ho American war films, this isn't for you. However, if you want something more considered, more honest and more realistic, you should watch this film.

Director Tom Petch is a former soldier, and his depiction of the realities of military operations are consequently more true-to-life and convincing than some of the high budget, glossy, war-as-entertainment shows more commonly seen. It's also a beautifully shot and edited film, nicely capturing the heat and dust of desert operations, along with the 98% boredom/2% sheer terror of infantry warfare.

Furthermore the disparate characters that make up the patrol are nicely played by the cast, keeping the tensions, stress and camaraderie simmering nicely throughout. This keeps the interest going throughout the film, rather than relying 4 or 5 flashy action set-pieces with rather dull filler in between that seems to form the staple of most war films.

Definitely a film for the enthusiast or connoisseur rather than the casual viewer. Shame it's not available on Blu-Ray.

I loved this film.

Initially dragged along (to the Ritzy cinema in Brixton) by a war-film loving boyfriend, I thought it would be another powpowpow action film, which have a tendency to bore me to tears/sleep.

Instead, I was subtly drawn into the realities of warfare, gaining an insight I've never achieved before: the personalities, the psychological difficulties and breakdowns, the gentle but gradual shift in mood amongst and between the troops and officers. I loved it, and was left thinking about it for days.

I'd highly recommend this film as a war film for anyone who wants to learn of the realities, rather than the Hollywood portrayal, of war. Unusual for me to make this distinction, but I'd recommend it as a great war film for women to watch as well, as it's not all guns and explosions, and has multiple layers to it. Buy and watch!