Ive pondered over these words Im about to type for over a day now. What do I write, what dont I write, do I write anything at all? Here goes.

Earlier in the week I was (re)watching the Tony Scott classic film The Last Boy Scout (yes its a classic) and thought to myself “why arent there that many British action films?”

Im sure that some of you can rattle off titles of a few UK action flicks, but at that moment in time, I struggled to think of any. (The closest I came to was The Sweeney by Nick Love)

Fast forward a couple of days and I was very privileged to be invited to a cast n crew screening of the new Paul Tanter directed film “He Who Dares” which is released on DVD and Blu Ray on Monday April 7th 2014 (I have to put the year in, just in case someone from the future is reading this article) Now firstly Im not cast and nor am I crew (I wish!!) so that’s why I say privileged to have been invited to the event.

Initially when I was going to write up this article I had all these small stories in mind, the people I met, some of the things we chatted about and so on, but that doesnt feel right.  Dont get me wrong, noone said anything to me that followed ‘oh God please dont type that” But still, I dont want to type up transcripts of the entire evening anymore than anyone wants to read transcripts for the entire evening.

I will sum the evening up this way though and this is 100% from the heart.

What a fantastic evening, a fantastic film and a fantastic group of people. From the crew on the film, the cast members who gave me the time of day and chatted with me as if I knew them so well. It was easily one of the highlights of my life to have attended an event like that. Watching the film on the big screen surrounded by the people who made it, watching them enjoy the performances on screen. The hard work, the cold nights and the talent of all involved showed on the film and I could feel the energy all around.

SAS Captain Christopher Lowe (Tom Benedict Knight)

I cant thank everyone enough for the evening, and for the film and rest assured when it hits DVD and Blu Ray on Monday, I shall be purchasing it and (re)watching it early next week.

Holt (Simon Phillips) bargains with the life of Mike (Tom Child)

So why did I start this article off with a mention of Tony Scotts Last Boy Scout, well because my thoughts on why there arent that many UK action films was silenced with my viewing of He Who Dares. Because He Who Dares is a great action film with a great story and some really funny lines in it (but its not a comedy)  So when someone asks me  “Do you know any good British action films?” My answer is “Yes, He Who Dares”

Taking us into the world of ‘Holt’ (played by Simon Phillips) who, along with his group of sidekicks, kidnap ‘Alice’  (Christina Bellavia) the daughter of the Prime Minister and fortify themselves in an underground car park which they then rig with explosives.

Thats about as much of a ‘hook’ as you need for He Who Dares, what then follows is a game of cat and mouse and deadlines, demands,and one side trying to outwit the other and the whole film works.

Zara Phythian as Lilya

From the opening credits it became aware to me that I was seeing a next progression for the work of Paul Tanters direction. I have seen every Paul Tanter film that I have been able to get my hands on and im such a fan. But with He Who Dares its something all that more special. Linking back to the work of Tony Scott, there are some cracking visuals in the film that reminded me of films like Domino, made me smile and realise that I was watching a film that I will rewatch many many times over the years. The cinematography, the score, editing all add that extra punch to an already action filled film and for that I thank everyone involved in the film.

So for those of you who follow my film recommendations, then please to add this one to your list. Its definitely worth it.