For anyone that has been following the British Commando: On the Front Line series, and even if you haven't, this is a fascinating watch. Really it's like a bonus show! The 55 Year Old Commando is the counterpart to the Commando: On the Front Line show in that it concentrates almost completely on Chris Terrill the (obviously) 55 year old filmmaker. Even more specifically it concentrates on the four famous Commando tests at the end of training which you have to pass to graduate. Terrill went through the whole 32 weeks of training (minus the shooting, which is a pity) to become an honorary Royal Marine Commando. He then followed the same troop when they were sent to Afghanistan straight out of training.
The guy deserves all the credit in the world for [don't hate me but] being his age and having this goal and really going for it. His mental toughness was definitely a huge asset, and certainly outweighed many of his age issues. But let's face it, the guy was already in shape! You get to know him much more, see some detail in the tests and hear more from the training team. It's especially sweet seeing him become so emotional about the green beret, and how he wishes he could go back to when he was younger and really become a Royal Marine Commando. There is a language warning.
There are five parts on You Tube, I'm just going to embed one video and y'all can follow from there. If not, I'll link the web addresses below.
If you are here and have no clue what the Commando: On the Front Line show is... HERE is episode one and you can follow on from there
also see "Commando", starring the terminator himself
Posted by: Patriot Xeno | October 06, 2007 at 04:39 PM
This is true! I've been missing you around lately -- Really thought I'd get a filthy hippies comment outta you on the Faslane posts...
Posted by: Kath | October 06, 2007 at 05:55 PM
well done chris terrill. for doing the commando course. but without the weapons training and billeting issues. your 'beastings' would have been less. and not quite a completion therefore
Posted by: p. lee | October 12, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Hey P.Lee, welcome!
Posted by: Kath | October 12, 2007 at 02:36 PM
What are you on about, without the beastings and the weapons training, the bloke's 55 for pete's sake. He deserves the green lid, he earned it fair and square, bloody well done to him and respect.
Posted by: wayne | November 14, 2007 at 05:12 PM
I understand what you are saying, Wayne - and welcome! - but actually the weapons training is extraordinarily important to any soldier, especially to Marines. I'm sure that is what P. Lee meant and I know that's what I meant. As I said in my post, triple good on him for the mental and physical toughness! No one can take that away from him.
Posted by: Kath | November 15, 2007 at 01:05 PM