I Am Soldier (2014) Starring Noel Clarke |

This evenings viewing was a film that I picked up on DVD a couple of weeks ago but due to one thing and many others, I only just got around to watching it today. Let e first take you back a couple of years. One of the first ‘guests’ I ever had on a podcast was Nabil Elouahabi who had appeared in such projects as HBOs Generation Kill, BBCs Only Fools and Horses, and who was (at that time) filming a UK thriller called ‘Tower Block’ which turned out to be the directorial debut of Mr Ronnie Thompson (Writer of Screwed)

Since my viewing of ‘Tower Block’ I have followed the works of Ronnie Thompson and was very excited to hear about the up and coming I Am Soldier which would star (among others) Noel Clarke who had starred in the Ronnie Thompson written ‘Screwed’a few years previous.

So what is the story synopsis for ‘I Am Soldier’ ?

Well, the Internet Movie Database says this :

I Am Soldier follows Mickey Tomlinson (Tom Hughes), a military chef, who attempts the most dangerous military selection known to man: The Special Air Service (S.A.S.) selection. The S.A.S. Is the United Kingdom’s most renowned Special Forces Regiment, tasked with life threatening missions in some of the most dangerous places on the planet. Mickey has more military experience than simply being a chef, something he doesn’t let on to the other candidates… Mickey is smashed by this selection process – his mind, body and soul scream for mercy as he endures torturous speed-marches over the steepest mountains, running for his life during ‘Escape and Evasion’ and then facing the most evil interrogation possible, during the deadly phase known as: ‘Tactical Questioning.’ Even after everything, there is still only one way you can really prove yourself: in combat… Many try to get into the S.A.S. Only the elite make it.

Whilst that synopsis does give you some background on the film, and most certainly doesnt say the film is going to be something that it isnt. I found I Am Soldier to be far, far more than this description. It feels like 75 percent documentary, and 25 percent movie. I love that about I Am Soldier, that it has a real feel to it. Not a Hollywood glossy Expendables type thing. but a far more believable feeling to the whole thing.

Tom Hughes & Noel Clarke

Ronnie has worked his magic again, making sure the film doesnt focus on just one person and rounds the cast out with many names that I myself am very familar with since starting to focus on UK films as much as I do.

Lee Charles (Montana, Green Street 3), Allistair McNab (The Fall Of The Essex Boys, Fast 6), Mike Fury (Stunt coordinator), Josh Myers (The Sweeney) to name just a few, and thats not even talking about the main leads with names like Noel Clarke, Tom Hughes, and Alex Reid . Ronnie pulled this same magic in Tower Block with an excellent ensemble cast and a cracking script.

Its also worth mentioning that several of the cast (and Im sure the crew) come from actual military backgrounds or stunt backgrounds) which is a huge help to the feel of the film.

I do have one complaint though. Only one and its not really a bad one.

The film just isnt long enough. At 86 minutes long, I could easily have watched another hour and a half of this film. But thats just my greed and enjoyment of the film. I hope that I Am Soldier is well enough received that its not too long before we get I Am Soldier Part 2. I hope it happens.