“THE AUSTRALIAN SAS – THE UNTOLD HISTORY” (11 PARTS)
This is the only documentary history of Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment, revealing the secretive operations and unorthodox military culture that have made the regiment highly effective since its raising in 1957.
Using rare archival footage, amateur film and interviews with SASR soldiers past and present, the documentary recalls superb SASR battle exploits from Borneo, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, Inspired SAS peace making operations in remote trouble spots is a key theme of the series.
Where other Special Forces documentaries portray the superficial veneer of soldiers using in fast paced action, The Australian SAS – the Untold History goes beyond the media clichés and Special Forces action stereotypes. The series presents the real people, their postmodern values and the creative, strategic flair in war and peace that have won the Australian Special Air Service Regiment – “SASR” – the high professional respect of the best Special Forces units in the world.
The Australian SAS – the Untold History is a rare achievement: it is the only documentary history of SASR ever supported by the exacting Special Operations Command Australia. It is the only documentary deep probe into Australian Special Forces poststructuralist military doctrine in the 21st century era of asymmetric warfare. The series analyses the creative, unorthodox military culture that makes the Australian SAS Regiment so spectacularly successful.
The narrative glue of the series is “the Ugly Duckling” nursery story of misunderstood identity. SASR was undervalued and misperceived for decades by the Australian Army. We see how SAS, always comfortable in chaos, used divergent thinking to transform itself from a small fringe company into pride of place as Australia’s “force of choice” Special Forces regiment.
The Australian SAS – The Untold History pinpoints what is “special” about Special Forces. The story penetrates the formidable SAS Selection Course, identifying how and why only a few pass each Selection curse.
"A rare and unfettered insight into an organisation that has traditionally been out of bounds to the public. Essential viewing for anyone who truly wishes to understand the Australian SAS, its evolution and what makes it tick."Major General Mike Hindmarsh AO, DSC, CSC, Former Commanding Officer SAS and Special Operations Commander Australia.
"The myth surrounding the SAS has been created by over-zealous journalists or egotistical authors. Thankfully, neither applies to this documentary. It provides unprecedented insights into the uniquely demanding lifestyle of SAS."Trooper John Delgado, ex SAS Borneo and Vietnam
"I have been impressed with Professor Horsfield’s sympathetic treatment and understanding of the military system and personnel. His previous documentary on The Battle of Long Tan showed an honest even handed approach to the militaries of both sides of the conflict."Lt Peter Ingram, 3 SAS Vietnam 1966-7
"The intangible value of this documentary is it captures the essence of military service, what Samuel Johnson called "the dignity of danger", with real men telling real stories."Lt Col Ric Bosi (retd),, Ex-SAS