Some of the SAS's most famous missions have become almost as well known on screen as they were on the battlefield.
From the exploits of the regiment's founders portrayed in SAS: Rogue Heroes to the Iranian Embassy siege and the disastrous Bravo Two Zero patrol, real operations have inspired television dramas, films and documentaries watched by millions.
Here are some of the real SAS missions whose stories were later brought to the screen.
SAS: Rogue Heroes
Location: North Africa
SAS: Rogue Heroes dramatises the founding of the SAS during the Second World War.
The series follows David Stirling as he assembled unconventional soldiers for daring raids against Axis forces in North Africa.
It brings the real missions and personalities involved in establishing the Special Air Service to television.
The Iranian Embassy Siege
Location: Central London
The 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege remains one of the SAS’s most famous operations.
After six days of hostage-taking, SAS soldiers stormed the building in a raid broadcast live on television.
The operation has since been explored through documentaries and television dramas, showing the mission that made the regiment a household name.
Bravo Two Zero
Location: Behind Iraqi lines
The Bravo Two Zero patrol during the First Gulf War was adapted into a television film based on Andy McNab’s bestselling book.
The SAS patrol was gathering intelligence and disrupting communications behind Iraqi lines.
Its story of survival, capture and escape has made it one of the best-known SAS operations shown on screen.
The One That Got Away
Location: Iraq
The One That Got Away is based on Chris Ryan’s journey across Iraq after the Bravo Two Zero mission.
The television adaptation follows Ryan’s trek through hostile territory as he evaded capture and reached safety.
His escape remains one of the longest and most remarkable solo evasions in modern military history.
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SAS: The Real Story and Documentary Features
Location: Mirbat, Oman
The Battle of Mirbat in Oman in 1972 has featured in several SAS television documentaries.
A small group of SAS soldiers and local allies successfully held off a much larger force of insurgents during the battle.
The story is often cited as one of the regiment’s greatest achievements and remains a staple of SAS-focused programmes.
These missions continue to provide television with some of the SAS’s most dramatic real-life stories.
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