I don't know if this was based on a true event but it's an interesting film that tells a story of a bungled British army expedition of about 10 men in Malaysia (I think). The movie itself starts off with a board of inquiry and continues through flash backs as events unfold. What is more embarrassing is that not only is this is a none military operation but they are not in any danger from local natives or come under any hostile fire from i.e. local guerrillas or anything like that but are put in danger by themselves with poor decision making and incompetent planning. Inept leadership, arrogance, selfishness and poor communication between the men are all on display and to some extent, hubris or a total and utter disrespect for the of the jungle they are entering. They act as if they are out on a hike in North Wales rather than some of the most inhospitable jungles in the world.
Major. Carlson (known by the ranks as a "Rupert") puts together an ad-hoc team of men for some kind of expedition that has never been completed before partly because of the difficult terrain. Despite warnings from some of the locals of the dangers and suggestions that his team is not up to it Carlson shrugs of the warnings as just "silly local superstition".
However things start badly from the beginning as "just to make it interesting" they do not take the proper communication equipment nor have a the good sense to have a plan B or a rescue mission prepared in case of things get tough." Things will just take care of themselves" and "what could possibly go wrong"? Well plenty, it's obvious from the beginning that some aren't up to the task and when there was an opportunity for some to turn back at an earlier stage they decide to in the great British tradition just to "push on".
Some talk to Carlson and persuade him that it would be better to split up as they can move faster than the others can. It's unclear here if proper permission was given or if there is a misunderstanding but they do split up and it's here that they really put themselves in jeopardy.
After splitting up the team that is ahead are still not satisfied and want to move quicker, so one of the members of the team convinces them that Carlsons men must have turned back and that they should continue but leave a note just in case! Well the men left behind with Carlson did not turn back and when they find the note the penny drops --- they are in trouble! With dwindling food supplies they realize that they have not the strength to go back and are completely lost. They put their faith in the group that are ahead hoping that they will get out and send help, that is their only chance. It's at this point Carlson begins to reflect on his planning and decisions and realizes what he's done.
However, the lead group is not fairing any better and are also finding it hard going. Their food is running out and they too are disorientated. At this time panic sets in and the stronger members of the lead group realizing their predicament have concluded their best hope of survival is to convince the rest of the lead team that they too should split up. They suggest that they can move faster to find the illusive exit out of the jungle that legend says exists while promising to wait for the rest to catch up. They don't, and at this time it's every man for himself! Fine supporting roles from Ralph Brown, Simon Dutton, Dougray Scott and John Mcardle (the always down on his luck Billy Corckhill from Brookside.)
Major. Carlson (known by the ranks as a "Rupert") puts together an ad-hoc team of men for some kind of expedition that has never been completed before partly because of the difficult terrain. Despite warnings from some of the locals of the dangers and suggestions that his team is not up to it Carlson shrugs of the warnings as just "silly local superstition".
However things start badly from the beginning as "just to make it interesting" they do not take the proper communication equipment nor have a the good sense to have a plan B or a rescue mission prepared in case of things get tough." Things will just take care of themselves" and "what could possibly go wrong"? Well plenty, it's obvious from the beginning that some aren't up to the task and when there was an opportunity for some to turn back at an earlier stage they decide to in the great British tradition just to "push on".
Some talk to Carlson and persuade him that it would be better to split up as they can move faster than the others can. It's unclear here if proper permission was given or if there is a misunderstanding but they do split up and it's here that they really put themselves in jeopardy.
After splitting up the team that is ahead are still not satisfied and want to move quicker, so one of the members of the team convinces them that Carlsons men must have turned back and that they should continue but leave a note just in case! Well the men left behind with Carlson did not turn back and when they find the note the penny drops --- they are in trouble! With dwindling food supplies they realize that they have not the strength to go back and are completely lost. They put their faith in the group that are ahead hoping that they will get out and send help, that is their only chance. It's at this point Carlson begins to reflect on his planning and decisions and realizes what he's done.
However, the lead group is not fairing any better and are also finding it hard going. Their food is running out and they too are disorientated. At this time panic sets in and the stronger members of the lead group realizing their predicament have concluded their best hope of survival is to convince the rest of the lead team that they too should split up. They suggest that they can move faster to find the illusive exit out of the jungle that legend says exists while promising to wait for the rest to catch up. They don't, and at this time it's every man for himself! Fine supporting roles from Ralph Brown, Simon Dutton, Dougray Scott and John Mcardle (the always down on his luck Billy Corckhill from Brookside.)