Ex SAS Soldier Rusty Firmin reviews / talks about the 1982 movie "Who Dares Wins" - Lewis Collins 

Lewis Collins....R.I.P. Always remembered by me for the Proffessionals.

Thanks for your clarification on who dares wins, love that movie and Lewis Collins had legitimate reasons to play that part, rip Lewis much respect and even more respect to you Rusty, thank you....

Greetings Rusty! I am friendly with an ex-regular 70's era Para. When he left the regs, he joined 10 Para, where he went on to become the Recruit Training Team Plt Sgt. He put Lewis through his basic training course and prep for P Coy. He became good friends with Lewis, and maintained contact with him until the latter's all too early demise. He rated Lewis very highly, he passed P Coy when he was 32- no mean feat. He has told me that Lewis was highly regarded, he was very fit, highly motivated and an excellent team player. He had a good sense of humour- he took plenty of stick about the Bodie role in, 'The Professionals,' but took all the ribbing in good humour. One of the actor's in, WDW served in 14 INT- perhaps you know him Rusty? I chat to him on a regular basis. I met John Mc a number of times down at Cwrt-y-gollen camp in the early 00's. I went down there to do the Fan with a pal who served in 23, he was directly involved in a certain BBC TV series....... When I met John, it was surreal. I was 9 years old when I watched The Regt blitz the embassy. I was delighted to meet him as I was in awe of the CRW lads who stormed the embassy- balls of steel, they sent a very clear message to any would be terrorists. John told me the story as to why the one terrorist who survived wasn't killed. He also told me about Mrs Thatcher's visit to Hereford lines Mess- interesting! ;)

I've received your signed operation Nimrod poster and I am very proud to have it in my office. We wouldn't be here without people like you Rusty, THANKYOU

Hi Rusty . My step dad Roy Thomason ex B squadron talks very highly of you 🙂🙂. Old school regiment like yourself. I had the privilege of meeting Nish ,Frank Collins,Ginge Tyler etc and i knew i was in the company of the absolute bravest of the brave. I was army mad as a youngster but took another path in life.

I work at pinewood security and i patrol in and out of the building that was used as the embassy hasn't changed to this day still looks exactly the same.

You couldn't have a better actor than Lewis Collins representing the S.A.S!

When I began watching your presentation I assumed that it was to be ripped to shreds and was delighted to hear your take on it. The people that made the movie obviously did their homework and this was key to its accuracy and success. I think, actually, that WDW is a fine cinematic tribute to the brave lads of the SAS. Now a personal note. I lived through The Troubles in N. Ireland and managed to live a reasonably 'normal' life growing up. I shall always be grateful to the SAS for the work that they did during Operation Banner and for the sacrifices that they made. I have no doubt that the SAS played it's part in bringing in the peace process ( which may be being sabotaged by the treacherous DUP! ) Their sacrifice was not in vain. Honour and respect to you, sir.

New subscriber here lol. "WHO DARES WINS" Not seen that film in years and loved it back then so just got it off Amazon!! Good old Captain Pete Skellen and Frankie Leith hehe

A fantastic film with a great cast and good soundtrack A missed opportunity he was not picked to play 007 I think he would have been great

I saw this movie in the early 80’s on HBO in the US. Here it was called “The Final Option”. The first 3/4 of the movie was a bit slow, but the last 10 minutes absolutely ROCKED. Absolutely LOVED this movie. It deserved much more exposure in the US.

I really liked this film at the time i suppose its the best that could be done at the time i would watch it now gave a little bit of a insight into the regiment excellent video as always as rusty 🇬🇧💓👍

Great stuff Rusty. I have seen the Film a few times and must admit, I found it enjoyable. I always thought Lewis Collins was Ok. If I remember rightly, he was from Birkenhead, across the River from me.

Love your audiobook that much I am listening to it again straight after first listen. Thanks for sharing your life, thoughts and knowledge.,Rusty

Thankyou for your service Mr Firmin.

Greetings, sir. Very interesting and informative video on one of my favourite films. Saw it in 1982 here in Sweden. I always had the feeling and notion that the film depicted SAS quite true to real life (plus adding stuff to fit the narrative and flow of a feature film). Thank you for confirming that. I also salute you, sir, for the things you´ve done for your country. The world need more lads like yourself and your fellow comrades! Very sincerely.

I have a lot of respect to anybody who has been apart of the SAS as it seems like you have to be extremely formidable not anybody can be in the SAS I’ve always looked up to the SAS as the best special forces.. the pinnacle of modern day warriors.. the best military unit there is.. guys who are extremely tough & durable.. a very rare breed.. I just wanted to make this clear so you & everybody can see I’m not taking the mick by asking the questions I have asked here.. I am genuinely curious.. it isn’t every day you can ask a real SAS soldier these questions.. it’s a privilege.

Top bloke Lewis, passed 21 SAS selection as a civvie volunteer, tough bloke by all accounts.

Off work due to covid, but bloody enjoy these vids, early morning viewing makes my day.

Much respect to you Rusty , i really enjoyed Who Dares Wins . The Lewis Collins film is just a movie based loosely on actual events thats all. The film 6 Days in my opinion could have been much better if it had shown the assault from all aspects of the teams going in , during the inquest was it not revealed that the terrorist on the stairs had countless rounds emptied into him but this is not shown in the film , maybe this was left out to appease the regulators. 6 Days Who dares wins Bravo two zero , no film is totally truthful to history as far as i can see .

The film Rusty, Who Dares Wins was based on the the book the Tiptoe Boys written by James Follett, read the book, seen the film, enjoyed both, but I bet from your perspective not as good as the real thing? Another good video Rusty, keep them coming.

Cracking video Rusty! Thank you for your invaluable insight about this momentous film in cinema history!

Hi Rusty, I am a new subscriber. I only discovered that you had a channel last night. How brilliant. I am Ex Military, and i will be working through all your videos. I am also checking out your website. Very Best For Now Rusty, Stevie in Fife.

I remember when you escorted Lewis Collins onto camp ( at the time he was " The Proffesionals" and he was given the cqb demo

Nice one Rusty I'm glad you confirmed about about Collins in 23 Regiment (that's by my house) as I had heard that somewhere before me and my lads were at a survival talk with Lofty wiseman and I asked the question and a few people laughed at my question 😀. You forgot one thing Rusty what a great soundtrack By Roy Budd 👍.

Great respect from a 70 year old grandmother. I know you can save this world from this evil. I am crying

I only watched it recently, wasn’t expecting much but really enjoyed it! Watched it a few more times since.

I watched the Operation Nimrod assault play out live on TV on May 5th 1980. I was 17 and glued to the TV. It was what caused me to join the British Army.

Great review rusty. I've enjoyed watching the movie on numerous occasions.

Soldiering is a dedication of which I have experienced and have great respect for. Soldiering never leaves you and makes you a better person. (Basic training exercise will give direction) I've witnessed some wonderful things as well as some horrible things...the horrible things are easily changed, commitment to changing them can happen with dedication....therein lies the wonder of life....I tip my hat to all the willing soldiers who give their life for our Great Britain, I salute the fallen.

Its all about the soundtrack Rusty. when they gear up to get into the helicopters to the storming of the ambassadors dinner is cinematic gold.

Personally i think the real SAS Lads were asked in for some of those film sequences as it looks very very professional, those window entries ect.. "They just look tight solid and the real deal My Gut instincts would say they where the real deal in the black suits ;) I bet it only took one take also! No f***** around when the lads go in lol .

I loved The Professionals, but I first saw LC in Who Dares Wins. I liked it a lot. Thanks for serving, sir. I desperately wanted to but chronic asthma stopped me.

Interesting Rusty. I think them helicopters were the Westland Scout. I've put one of them in my story. Surprisingly dad arranged a ride in one of them taking off from Credenhill at the time. We would have been 9. Got the photos here with mum waving up at us from the garden. It was things like this that motivated Paul and I to join up with the dream of coming back to Hereford. It didn't work out but good old dad did his best. Take care. Mark

The Selection Hare & Hounds Sequence of scenes were filmed in Snowdonia I drive past most of the locations on a regular basis with my work. Last summer I took a friend who is ex-Grenadier Guards to see them he was skeptical at first but once he went home I got a phone call from him to say "I just watched the DVD again and you are right!" So if you ever fancy seeing them for yourself give me a shout. ;-)

Thanks again Rusty,another interesting one 👍🍺🇬🇧

New subscriber here. Thank you, Mr Firmin, for all you have done for our country, and the same to all the SAS lads past and present. The film Who Dares Wins was based on a novel by James Follett called The Tiptoe Boys. I have not read it so can't comment on how close it is to the film version. Lewis Collins was considered for the role of James Bond in the early 80s, but rejected as it was felt he was too tough after the more tongue in cheek Roger Moore years. As for Who Dares Wins, I really like it a lot. It has a great cast and that storming of the house is pulse-pounding. Just a word for Ingrid Pitt, who played Helga. She's great, really nasty and it's so satisfying to see the SAS take her out when they blow the wall. I think her character was inspired by the Baader-Meinhof/Red Army Faction terrorists of the time.

23 sas. I wonder how many people drive past everyday, not realising they are there.

There was a rumour at the time that actual SAS guys carried out some of the action scenes because they were considered to dangerous for the stuntmen... I enjoyed the film at the cinema, I remember everyone cheering when LCs wife chinned the terrorist😊 The only bits I found a bit far fetched was the way they treated the two yanks on the exercise, and LC going undercover, surely neither would actually happen in reality?

Great to see the scouts, good skills.

Respect Rusty. Great review. This is one of my all-time favourite films. I first saw it as a young schoolboy, WAY below the 18 age rating. I was round a mates house and his elder brother had it on. Me and my mate were in awe of Lewis and the action, when it finished we went out into his garden and pretended to be SAS, my mates brother was in stitches, he thought it was hilarious :) Its a film I come back to again and again, I think the plot and pacing and Lewis' acting is superb, and still holds up as a great film today, and the signature theme tune is iconic. I have another great DVD called Silent Courage The Story of the SAS that is a really interesting documentary of the origins of the regiment. Thanks Rusty!

I enjoyed the film very much! I've also heard that Lewis Collins was considered for the role of James Bond after Roger Moore. He would have made a great James Bond which is how Ian Flemming wrote the character.

Hi Rusty & thank you for your service back in 1980, along with your other colleagues, on that day. Its blokes like you & the rest of your ex-SAS colleagues,who make this world a better place & huge differences to the innocents lives & apologists, make it a dump. Your video has answered alot of questions about Lewis Collins on set & about the scenes in the film. I also like your other videos too, on the SAS.

I likes the Who Dares Wins movie........but 6 Days is a brilliant movie, I love true life movies, the fact that you were involved was the cherry on top ot the icing on the cake for me 👌👏👍

The ambassador didn't lay on any ferroro Roche deserved to be kidnapped. I loved the quote, "I'm SAS or nothing! Great film.

I remember watching this film with my Dad!! Loved it!! I've read (a few times) that the audio of the SAS assault in the film was the real audio of the actual assault??

As always rusty.. Packed with detail and well spoken.

Back in October 1990, my unit 4-7 CAV recon for 3rd Armored Division was at Graf in Bavaria. There were about a dozen SAS troopers with a SGM Acton staying in the building next to us. Great guys - we gave them tons of supplies and we were paid back with numerous cases of beer. Your boys were training the spider hole recon stuff you used in the desert 🐪 We were there too . Really enjoy your videos .

I am an author. I actually wrote a lengthy chapter on the film 'Who Dares Wins' for my book 'Dying Harder - Action Movies of the 80s.' The building assaulted by the SAS in the movie was not the US Embassy, it was the 'American Ambassador's residence'. The actual building used was Heatherden House which is part of the Pinewood Studios complex and contains the restaurant. It has featured in several films including From Russia With Love, When Eight Bells Toll and Doppelganger. The SAS training camp scenes were shot on the backlot at Pinewood. The helicopters were genuine Westland Scouts provided by the Army. When the helos take off you can see the huge Pinewood 007 stage in the background. The female villain was Frankie Leith, played by Australian actress Judy Davies Her character was based on Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave and there are rumours that Fonda herself was originally asked to play the role.

Great content Rusty, love the channel. Have been totally in awe of the SAS, and all due to your successful siege on the iranian embassy. I have much respect for yourself and the lads. Greetings from South Africa

From what Ive undrstood over the years,Collins past a preliminary SAS coarse.Now,he was almost to be James Bond back in the 80' s and so was Hugh Grant.

My dad who has died believed you were the best. He was in the parachute regiment. Your right the good guys win. Godbless

Another great vlog Rusty keep safe mate.😎

Keep the excellent work coming Rusty!

Good Review ,I thought the opening part of the film was quit a good representation of sf selection back in the 80s

i dont know if anyone has mentioned a small fact, Lewis Collins was in the movie Who dares Wins and i saw a small extract from '6 days' and noticed Martin Shaw was in this '6 days' movie, Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw were both co'stars playing Bodie and Doyle, playing two CI5 Operatives in the Professionals in 1977 as mentioned by @Ancient Mariner below.

As always great stuff rusty keep up the great work

Legend mate thanks for your service God bless you 🙏

Loving the content Rusty, keep it up! 👍

Great review rusty honest as ever keep up the good work.

My all time fave film of the 80's, casting Lewis was such a good choice, absolute legend for the part. I'm glad I've heard your opinion of the film Rusty, if nothing else I think it was good for recruitment for young lads into the armed forces.

Great content as usual mate

I watched your film , 6 days. Very enjoyable.

thanks Rusty

Hi Rusty, loving your channel and content mate. Genuine question here, the training locations you mention, would that be Moreton on Lugg by any chance? I spent a few days and nights there in late 1988 and the place left an indelible mark on me and my memory. Thank you.

Great guy Lewis R.I.P

I love all your vids ...I struggle to hear them tho sadly ...need to pull headphones from somewhere

Awesome post, sir, thank you.

I would also love a review regarding the TV show: SAS: Who Dares Wins. Because from doing previous research regarding the SAS the TV show seems to make the SAS training seem a lot easier than it is.. I’ve watched documentaries showing actual training of the SAS & it looks a lot harder but you would know a lot better than myself.. so I’m curious to see what you think..

Brilliant video as always. Cheers

My dad’s old uni mate Col Prosser installed the fish eye cameras in the Iranian Embassy which located the hostages . The SAS had an internal newletter long before the intranet and later the internet even came out , i’m sure you remember it Rusty , “Mars & Minerva” ?

I watched this film the other day thought it was dead cool, and had I had been a boy, and watched this, I would of joined the SAS. Loved it.

Theres not many people who can say I was in the sas or sbs ,the enemy must shit themselves when they hear or believe they are coming for them !very special men of our time ,,,

In 1999, I travelled with the Australian SASR Rugby Team to England. We stayed in Hereford for a week and you guys put us up in the Officers Mess. Fantastic stay. Seeing photos in the Officers Mess of Sir David Stirling was special. I also got to see the graves of the lads from the Bravo 2 Zero patrol. We trained hard all week and beat 22 SAS in the rugby game. From memory it was 25-20. After Hereford we travelled down to Poole and played the SBS boys and Royal marines. Beat them 43-12. After that game we went to London and was supposed to play 23 SAS. They heard we beat 22 and the SBS and forfeited!!!! Reckon they got scared of the Aussies. lol. Ended up in Dublin for 5 days on the Guinness. I still have my Pilgrims neck tie that we were presented with at Hereford.

Great film and great review Rusty 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

a friend of mine was in stirling lines in the early 80s . harry g . rusty will deffo remember him lol. one crazy mother . also lewis collins was brought up in gautby rd birkenhead , right at the end of my road , harding avenue . rusty will remember one of my commanding officers charlie g . 1wg .

Everyone should watch the whole adverts! It supports rusty and will help him make more cracking videos! What is a minuets or so off your day! The guys been threw hell and back! That’s the least you can do!

Interesting take on it from someone who knows. I’ve heard from a few sources that Credenhill has a family day every year, close family members can have a go on the range.

It was that film Rusty and the Iranian embassy that brought your world to all our attentions. I idolised Lewis Collins from watching the Professionals as a kid and couldn't get enough of that kind of action stuff. I did think the part with the guys hanging from the helicopter then coming in through the windows was a bit over done though, and if that had ever been attempted then you'd want to make sure you didn't miss ;-)

Dear Mr. Firmin, Hi. I am an American who watched this movie in the 1980s. Here in The U.S. it's called The Final Option. Why is the title of it in America different from that in England? When I watched brief clips of Who Dares Wins on RU-vid, it is definitely the same movie. It is a good movie too.

Do you still have any of those t shirts Rusty? I'd love one. I've been on your site and I'm going to get the drawing and books. Thank you for your service 🙏

Rusty Keep up the great work. Very enjoyable. You mentioned the suppressed welrod, wondering if you ever came in contact/used the suppressed 45acp rifles?

Does anyone know if NTSC (showable on players in the USA) DVD's are available of THE PROFESSIONALS series from television in the US, or from Britain shippable to the US?

New subscriber here so sorry advance for all the comments as I move through the videos. I've not seen the Who Dares Wins film but I have seen 6 Days. That was a top film. Loved the detail to it and the suspension that built up till the 6th day. And I also believe you had a hand in making that film too. If so that explains its awesomeness!

Have to wonder what sort of movies SF guys like? imagine you don't want to watch movies that might be triggering once you have lived it. Thanks for your service

As I recall Lewis Collins was in 21 SAS down in London and he was asked to leave after he had an altercation and discharged a 12 bore shotgun in a public place.

Hi Rusty. The guy standing next to Lewis, before you clip starts is a very good friend of mine, I sure you will recognize him. He appeared in different shots, the killing house being one of the and of course the court martial scene.

Metamorphosis. Great band!

Rusty I hope you got plenty of ideas going fwd for this channel. Because it's growing and growing,you can't retire from this for a few years yet! Take the camcorder to H and do a Q and A with Pete for 1 episode maybe..

I have not seen this one I am an American I'll have to dig this one out and watch it

Brilliant stuff Rusty scene the film who DARES WINS a few not bad film SAS who DARES WINS 🇬🇧👍.

Hi, Rusty, great review as always. Could you do a review on the series of (Ultimate Force) please????

A great movie Lewis Colins RIP had a huge interest in the army Im quite convinced he would of been a great soldier if not an actor.Im sure he was in 10 para regiment TA .

Awesome movie

I have just watched your review and, along with some other commentators on here, really appreciate your opinion. Could I just ask, when you served, were you at the old camp/barracks in Hereford, or had the SAS moved by then? I know the move was around fifteen years ago now, as I used to do some work down that way at the time. I actually know one of the SAS men who went into the Iranian Embassy in 1980, and received one of his many medals from that operation, only one of many he received During his service. He is considered one of the most highly awarded soldiers in UK military history, one award having been made to him by the late Queen, but he never went to collect it, always saying he was too busy with his business interests, mainly in the States. On his accession to the throne, the King ORDERED him to attend the Palace to receive the award. Needless to say, he attended this time. Another ex-SAS chap I knew went on to become the head of security for the Sultan of Brunei were he to visit the UK. A decent chap, but as I pointed out, that was about fifteen years ago.

I would definitely buy one of those tshirts if they ever become available to buy.

The woman in the film was so annoying, so glad that you guys looked after lovely Lewis and to me it paid homage to the SAS professionals that I was so fortunate to watch as a child, especially paying tribute to the (Peter Kay style 'girl' in his comment who kept getting burnt) gent absailing through the window into the curtains. You Gents were awsome, respect and best wishes to you

Wow love the shirt Rusty pal 🙏🏻👍🏻

Hello, Rusty Firmin, I have a lot of respect for the SAS & SBS.. as far as I’m aware threw a lot of research & story’s the SAS are the best when it comes to the special forces of the world (no bias intended) but I’m curious about something.. apparently it’s based on a true story, a film with Jason Statham called: Killer Elite which is about SAS soldiers being sold out by the British Government to some rich sheik from Oman.. apparently this actually happened which totally shocks me.. I advise everybody to watch this film: Killer Elite. It’s very good & very well done but if it is based on a true story I’m disgusted by our government.. if you watch the film you will understand.. please reply to this & please do a review of the film as it’s largely based on the SAS & supposedly based on something that actually did take place

never seen "who dares wins" but iv seen "6 days" afew times great film and shines abit light on the original guys iv seen about SAS 23 but its on hold sadly at the mo :( would love to one day shake your hand ...