Bravo Two Zero

Last Update: 22 December 1998 (You need a browser capable of viewing tables to see this page properly)

This is the true story of the most highly decorated British patrol since the Boer war: an eight man SAS team inserted behind Iraqi lines during the Gulf War in January 1991. Their mission was to take out the scud missiles which Saddam Hussein was using to terrorize his enemies, as well as to sever strategic communication lines between Baghdad and North West Iraq. This top secret mission was called "Bravo Two Zero" and it was commanded by Sergeant Andy McNab. Of the eight who went out, only five returned. Dropped into "scud alley" carrying 210-pound packs, McNab and his men soon found themselves surrounded by Saddam's army. Their radios didn't work; the weather was brutally cold. And they had been spotted.

For the SAS, the Bravo Two Zero patrol has always been seen with mixed feelings. On one hand, its most famous ever action is a tale of remarkable endurance and heroism; on the other hand, only one of the eight-man patrol managed to escape death or capture (as told in The One That Got Away by Chris Ryan.) The story of Bravo Two Zero includes the no-holds-barred detail of McNab's capture by the Iraqis, and the harrowing torture they inflicted on him. Principal photography on the $6.5 million project began August 12, 1997 in South Africa's Northern Cape province. Filming continued on location for four weeks in and around the desert near the small town of Uppington, for three weeks in the country's commercial capital of Johannesburg; and for a week in London's Twickenham Studios in early October. Apart from the main SAS roles and some parts played by real Iraqi soldiers, all other characters were played by South Africans.

Click here to read Sean's thoughts on playing Andy McNab.

Click here for the detailed storyline of Bravo Two Zero, the film.

Click here for the Bravo Two Zero production notes.

Click here for Bravo Two Zero biographies.

Click on the picture to see the large version.

Click here for the BBC press release!

At a Bravo Two Zero press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Left to right: Producer Anant Singh, actors Steven Nicolson and Jamie Bartlett, director Tom Clegg, and actor Sean Bean. (From Screen Africa News, October 1997)

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS: Sean Bean Steve Nicolson Rick Warden Richard Graham Kevin Collins Ian Curtis Jamie Bartlett Robert Hobbs Ron Senior Jr Robert Whitehead

Sgt. Andy McNab Dinger Tony Mark Chris Baz Ray Stan Pete Iraqi Colonel

PRODUCTION CREDITS: Produced by Executive Producers Producer Co-Producer Associate Producers Screenplay by Directed by Set Designer Military Adviser Music Composed by Script Editor Casting Directors South African casting by Director of Photography Editor Special Effects Armourer Production Designer Costume Designer Video Release Date TV Transmission Date Based on the book Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab, M.M., D.C.M.

BBC/Videovision Entertainment/Distant Horizon David M. Thompson Ruth Caleb (BBC) Anant Singh Helena Spring Sanjeev Singh & Sudhir Pragjee Andy McNab & Troy Kennedy Martin Tom Clegg Dave Barkham Andy McNab, M.M., D.C.M. David Ferguson Irena Brignull John Hubbard & Lisa Anne Porter Christa Schamberger Rod Stewart Ettie M. Feldman Dave Beavis Daniel Carvalho Dave Barkham Darion Hing 28 December 1998 (UK) 03/04 January 1999 (BBC One - UK)

Visit the Bravo Two Zero Press Archive.

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