Adrian Walker
Author of Six Campaigns, National Servicemen at War 1948-1960.

This well-produced and visually pleasing documentary describes in some detail one of the fifty "Forgotten Wars" in which British forces have been involved over the past half century.

In the first half of the film, the geo-political and military background is outlined with great clarity by Major General Julian Thompson (the presenter) and Major General Sir Jeremy Moore, who as a junior officer took part in the commando operation to release British and American hostages held by nationalist guerrillas at Limbang in Borneo. At the same time, the participants are introduced to us with the marines, the hostages and their captors being given equal billing.

Then there is a compelling change of pace as the narrative is taken up by marine veterans recalling this long-ago action and their comrades who died. This story makes an adroit use of inter cutting and reconstruction and computer generated images to bring home to the viewer the chaos that is war.

Finally, there is a reconciliation and Brian Downey and Sambas, leader of the rebels who had killed his best friend. This must resonate strongly with veterans, like the present writer, underlining as it does the innate decency of ordinary men. Downey has the last word when he says, "Soldiers don't bear grudges".