Month: December 2022

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SAS: Rogue Heroes

I finally got around to watching this series.  I liked it a lot.

Which should be no surprise, I’ve been a WWII buff forever, as well as an avid Special Air Service (SAS) fan.

The series is basically the origins of the British SAS in the North African campaign of World War II, circa 1941.  It follows men directly responsible for the creation of this regiment, with their early failures and eventual successes.

I’m sure there are lots of historical inaccuracies, but that doesn’t deter from a good story here.

And of course it ends in a historical cliffhanger.

The use of contemporary rock music mixed with period songs is an interesting mix, which I found very cool.

The cast was great, particularly the actors playing Stirling, Mayes, and Lewes.  It took me a minute to recognize Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones) as Lewes, though.

6 episodes, so it’s a quick binge.

3 out of 4 stars.  Go watch!

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Music and Memory

I was watching the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark during lunch,

I still remember when I first heard the Raiders March during this scene.

The horn section hit me harder than the opening note of Star Wars.

It was at that moment that I knew, this character would have a bigger impact on me than Han Solo or Mr. Spock or Steve Austin or Underdog ever would.

Those were my other childhood heroes, of course.

It cemented John Williams as the one true composer of the background music in my life, between this, Star Wars and Superman: The Movie.

Years later, hearing it performed live at the SF Symphony, conducted by John freaking Williams himself, was no doubt the greatest live musical piece I had ever heard.

I look forward to hearing this theme next June.