Soldiering On (Soldier Soldier (DVD))

Member Name: freespirit1402

Product:	Soldier Soldier (DVD)
Date:	27/07/02 (699 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun to watch, Lots of men in combats

Disadvantages: Not on very often

Soldier Soldier was a long running Army orientated TV series that ran from 1991 to 1997. It was based around the fortunes and misfortunes of the men of B-Company of the King's Fusiliers (later the King's Own Fusiliers). It charts their private and professional lives against some stunning scenery. Around about the time I was fourteen until I was about seventeen it was regular viewing with many a schoyard discussion about the relative merits of Robson Green versus Jerome Flynn, by eck but we were a sad lot.

The Main Characters:

Dave Tucker: Played by Robson Green, Dave Tucker is every commanding officer's nightmare. Flippant and tactless this Geordie wide boy has a tempestuous marriage and career but cares deeply about his friends and his family. His mouthiness and temper however means after five series he is still a fusilier. Series 1-5

Paddy Garvey: Played by Jerome Flynn, Career orientated and desperately in love with his wife Nancy who later leaves him to pursue her own career, Paddy is not above joining in with Tuckers sillinesses although he is often the straight man or the grown up of the duo. Series 1-5

Tony Wilton: Played by Gary Love, The ultimate career man and regimental boxing champion Tony is anal to the point of ridiculousness and enjoys the percieved superiority of his extra stripes. He is balanced however by a genuine affection for his friends and family and, when the mood strikes him, a very funny sense of humour, particularly when drunk. Series 1-4

Joe Farrell: Played by David Groves, Ex French Foreign Legion, now a Fusilier making his own way in the regimental boxing squad and chasing his reluctant bride Collette. Joe never becomes quite as fond to us as the originals but has a chance to shine is series 6 following Tucker and garvey's departure. Series 4-6

The Wives: Rosie Rowell, Holly Aird, Annabelle Apsion and Denise Welch(probably best known as Natalie Barnes from Coro
nation St.) amongst others. Having strongly developed charcters themselves and not merely relegsted to supporting characters we see the wives struggling with affairs on boths sides of marriage, constant upheaval of army life, children and trying to find a place for themselves in the community.

The Officer's: Rob Spendlove, Ben Nealon and many others play the upper ranks of the King's Own giving a rounded picture of the srtresses and strains faced by all members of a regiment as well as the tensions and humours that can exist between enlisted men and officers.

Supporting Characters: As will happen in any regiment other charcters come and go usually for one or two series, never quite long enough to ecome as attatched to them as to the main characters but presenting some interesting stories nevertheless.


The Series:
During the six series the Fusiliers are posted to Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Germany, Bosnia, Sunny Old England, Cyprus and Australia each giving rise to new challenges and stories from the temptations of Amsterdam and Hong Kong's ladies of 'negotiable affection' to the dangers of war or the fun of exercises in the sun.

Conclusion:
Ok so mostly its not particularly true to life, although it has its moments but as some light viewing it is fairly entertaining, worth at least catching the reruns on cable even if you dont buy the videos

Happy Hunting

Summary: