The BBC original series “SAS: Rogue Heroes” presented the “origin story” of one of the world’s most famous elite military units, the British Special Air Service (SAS). The six-episode drama — which offered a broadly accurate representation of the actual events, albeit with a heavy metal soundtrack and a fair share of irreverence — aired earlier this year on MGM+ in the United States as simply “Rogue Heroes.”
It was a smash hit, and a second season is reportedly in production.
Though the series depicted the exploits of the unit during the Second World War, with the first season focused almost entirely on the actions in the North African desert, the SAS is known today for its counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, direct action, and covert reconnaissance operations. Much information about the SAS remains highly classified — so much so that it was largely unknown until May 5, 1980.
On that day, the SAS initiated “Operation Nimrod;” and the unit stormed the Iranian Embassy in South Kensington, London, and freed hostages being held by six armed Iranian Arabs. The armed individuals had entered the building six days earlier, taking 26 people hostage, including embassy staff, several visitors, and a London police officer who had been guarding the entrance.
As the standoff continued, the gunman had become increasingly frustrated that their demands weren’t being met, and they killed a hostage and threw his body out of the embassy. At that point, the order was given for the SAS to go in. During the 17-minute raid all but one of the remaining hostages were rescued, while five of the six hostage-takers were killed.
Because the media had been present, the storming of the embassy was broadcast around the world. It was the first time the world had witnessed a Special Forces operation as it unfolded. The fact that it was so successful — unlike the U.S. attempted rescue of the American hostages held in Iran — only further helped create the mystique of the SAS.
The Big Screen Version — Not Quite
Among those who had witnessed the event on live TV was British film producer Euan Lloyd. Even before it ended, he was inspired to make a film about it. However, given the political climate at the time — notably that Iran had held 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage for 444 days — the events were changed to appeal to an international audience, namely that of the U.S.
It was to be named “SAS: Who Dares Wins,” which referenced the motto of the SAS. It was later shortened to “Who Dares Wins,” but was also released in the U.S. as “The Final Option.”
Instead of the Iranian embassy, it decided that Americans should be the hostages. That decision may not have been the best in hindsight. Released in the UK in August 1982, “Who Dares Wins” featured the story of a British SAS officer who infiltrates a terrorist group planning an attack on American diplomats. The climax of the film involves the SAS being charged with storming the residence of the U.S. ambassador to the UK.
It was the sixth-highest-grossest film in the UK in 1982.
Despite attempting to make the story more appealing to Americans, it was a box office bomb stateside, when it was released 40 years ago in 1983. However, it had to compete against such films as “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi,” “Flashdance,” and “Octopussy.” The title change likely didn’t help, but it still found a few fans.
Then-President Ronald Reagan reportedly enjoyed the film, as did then-Secretary of State Alexander Haig. More importantly, while it remains a controversial film for the portrayal of the nuclear disarmament movement, it has gained a cult following, especially in the UK.
According to the DVD commentary, the film was made with the assistance of the 22nd SAS Regiment at Hereford, and though it eventually had the support of the British Army, the British Ministry of Defence had expressed concerns that the film’s advisors may have breached the Official Secrets Act. In the end, the MoD did provide defense equipment for the film’s production, including three helicopters that were used in the key embassy scenes.
It has also been reported that when it came time to film the actual SAS assault on the U.S. ambassador’s residence that actual SAS troopers offered to step in, replacing the stuntmen. In addition, Lewis Collins, who starred as Captain Skellen, the SAS officer who infiltrates the terrorist cell, had passed SAS selection before filming.
Though it was a heavily dramatized look at the previously secret SAS, “Who Dares Wins” did present the unit in a very good light.
Guns of “Who Dares Wins”
Great attention to detail was paid to the small arms employed by the SAS in “Who Dares Wins,” and the film is noted for being one of the earliest to feature the Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun. Though the firearm had been developed in the 1960s, and adopted by the British military around 1966, it wasn’t until the 1980 embassy siege that it gained worldwide attention — and likely caught the eye of film armorers. It now has an impressive list of credits, appearing in such films as “Die Hard,” “Air Force One,” and “The Batman.”
“Who Dares Wins” also features the SAS operatives with a Federal Gas Riot Gun, which is used during the breaching sequence of the embassy, along with a Remington 870 shotgun; while the main handgun of choice for the SAS is the Browning Hi-Power. In a training sequence, the SAS troopers are seen with the L1A1 SLR, the British MoD’s variation of the Belgian-made FN FAL rifle.
The “terrorists” in the film employ a mix of weapons, notably the Italian-made Beretta M12 submachine gun, and Ingram Model 10 (MAC-10). However, the dialog states that the Model 10 is chambered in 9mm, which is incorrect as it is actually chambered for .45 ACP.
The Real Story — “Six Days”
In 2017, a more faithful version of the Iranian embassy siege was released in the UK. Titled “6 Days,” it was streamed in the U.S. on Netflix the following year. It followed the events from April 30, 1980, to the eventual storming of the embassy on May 6.
Considered quite accurate, it depicts the SAS training for the mission — and they are hardly the ready-to-go pros seen in “Who Dares Wins,” while it suggests that considerable planning was required. Yet such attention to detail didn’t impress viewers, and most of the reviews have suggested it is dull. Much like with “Zero Dark 30,” anyone expecting a mass shootout between the Special Forces and the bad guys could be left a bit disappointed. Still, it needs to be remembered that the goal of such operations is not to engage in a firefight.
As with “Who Dares Wins,” the equipment and small arms employed in “6 Days” is actually spot on. The SAS troopers are seen with Browning Hi-Power sidearms, and most carry the H&K MP5A3. The Federal Gas Riot Gun and L1A1 SLR are also both present.
The weapons the Iranian Arab terrorists use in “6 Days” include a Czechoslovakian-made Sa vz. 61 Skorpion, and a Polish-made PM-63 RAK. Though it is unclear even today what weapons may have been employed in the actual event, Communist Bloc small arms were commonly employed by terrorists during the Cold War as the Soviet Union and its allies went to great efforts to supply insurgent and anti-Western groups. However, one terrorist is spotted with a Smith & Wesson Model 686 revolver — an apparent anachronism as it wasn’t produced for commercial sale until 1981, the year after the events of the film.
The Legacy of the SAS
Today the SAS are beyond legendary, but it began with the Iranian Embassy siege 43 years ago. While “6 Days” is by and far, the more accurate depiction, “Who Dares Wins” remains a fun film and a favorite of neo-con history buffs worldwide!