An Ungentlemanly Act [1992] [DVD]

It has all the humour (quite a lot of it black) of the British, which after all the Falkland islanders were. On the evening of 1 April 1982, Operation 'Rosario, the Argentinean invasion began, this is the setting for the film.

The film starts by taking you into the events prior to invasion with the arrival of Naval Party 8901 led by Major Mike Norman. You get to meet the various islanders, Royal Marines, civil servants, journalists and Argentineans and see the tension and speculation before the invasion. It is a good lead up to the attack it's self and really puts you into the mood of the times.

The main part of the film takes place during the night and the following morning of the invasion. It is very, very well done. Both forces look the part, costumes, equipment and setting wise, it's well researched.

The moment when all hell breaks loose and the islanders, marines and the civil servants at Government House try to react to what is going on around them really pulls you into the action. Events from Port Williams' Yorke beaches, The Islands' radio station, Moody Brook Barracks, the pub and homes of some of the islanders also play backdrop to various scenes. These show civilians stuck in a war zone which is very much needed. It shows them as Britains and not Argentineans in culture.

Once the situation was realised and the fighting was under way, although a serious event; the way the British forces act under conflict is so true to life and at times very funny (speaking from experience). The actors chosen for the roles were cast so well; they really pull it off brilliantly....

I would even say it's worth buying this film just for the comments of ex-Royal Marine Corporal Jim Airfield to the Governor Sir Rex Hunt upon surrender or the Marine's Company Sergent Major's dealings with sloppy weapons drills of the Falklands Islands Volunteer Defence Force.

The film really tells the story of that day even though it is dramatised in places and some of the technical details and body counts are far from correct! I suggest also buying Max Arthur's book Above All, Courage: The Eyewitness History of the Falklands War which has Major Mike Norman's memories of that day if you are looking for the true details and removal of dramatisation.

The film unlike many a modern war drama is also filmed from the Argentinean side, which is still not fully shown in many publications, dramas of documentaries about the conflict. It's good the film does not show them as this faceless enemy and gives it more credibility in my view. The Film's ending is very well done, it makes one proud to be British and it leaves you on a high with the under dog winning keeping with tradition of the British war flick.

In the past I have only ever seen An Ungenlemanly Act on television when first shown or poor quality video (Phil can FR have his copy back now!). Now it is out on DVD, many a fans search should be over. It's about time; I only hope the film Tummbledown will soon be released on DVD too.

I hope you enjoy it as much as my friends and me do.

Finally "What ever that Argie is doing let him live!" and sit down with the chap and watch this film together! Read more ›