The Patrol

The Patrol is a 2013 war film directed by Tom Petch. The plot centres around a depleted British army patrol struggling to maintain its morale while waging war in Afghanistan. It taps into the human part of warfare rather than focusing solely on action sequences, thus offering a distinctive narrative within the genre. The movie showcases a gritty exploration of the complexities and costs that the conflict has upon soldiers.

The film cast features Nav Sidhu as Sergeant Abdul, Ben Righton as Captain William Richardson, and Owain Arthur as Lieutenant Jonathan Pascoe, leading the array of compelling performances.

Set in 2006, this realistic portrayal begins with the British troops stationed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, one of the most dangerous and volatile regions during the Afghanistan conflict. While these troops have been sent to reinforce stability and support reconstruction in the area, they instead find themselves drawn into relentless gunfire, skirmishes, and paths laden with IEDs.

The story revolves around a patrol led by Captain William Richardson (Ben Righton), who fervently believes in the mission and his responsibility to support the Afghanistan people. Sergeant Abdul (Nav Sidhu) seems to be his right-hand man, while Lieutenant Jonathan Pascoe (Owain Arthur) is the voice of dissent.

In spite of their initial camaraderie and shared purpose, the soldiers find themselves struggling to uphold their morale as they face the harsh realities of war. As danger rises and resources deplete, the mental toil begins to manifest within the patrol, leading to unforeseen friction and dissension among the soldiers. Their commitment and resilience are put to the test, spotlighting the taxing struggle between maintaining morale and the desire to preserve their sanity.

The Patrol presents an authentic, immersive experience that delves into the brewing tension, unsettling surroundings, and unwavering bravery of the patrol. Through a convincing production design and a scorched, searing colour palette, the movie captures the hostile topography and precariousness of the Afghanistan conflict.

Director Tom Petch adopts a vision that steers clear of Hollywood-style heroic depictions; he focuses instead on delivering a critical observation of the challenges, decisions, implications, and contradictions within the words 'occupying force'. The performances of the main cast excel in displaying the strain of suppression, the anguish of disillusionment, and the bravery in vulnerability.

Signature to the war genre, The Patrol does not shy away from providing intense action sequences. The movie also goes beyond this norm by depicting the quieter aftermath, showing that war is not always about bullets and explosions but moments in-between, where doubts, unfiltered emotions, and frayed nerves often reveal the human cost of conflict.

However, the film does not dwell for too long in sadness nor tone down the courage shown by the soldiers. Each member of the patrol is humanised, their personal fears, hopes, and motivations coming to light amidst the conflict. Albeit intensely cautioned, the movie's portrayal of brotherhood, loyalty, and resilience of spirit are relatable and invigorating.

The Patrol scores on technical fronts as well. The cinematography effectively captures the arid terrains of Afghanistan, the guile of sunset battles, and the claustrophobic confrontations inside army vehicles. The accompanying sound design intensifies the tension, providing an authentic feel of the adrenaline-fuelled atmosphere with the echo of gunshots and the roaring engines of helicopters.

Although the film is rife with the depiction of warfare, it is not devoid of introspection. It examines the policies, politics, and strategic failures that underline the reality of war, often questioning the very nature and purpose of it.

Overall, The Patrol offers a unique perspective and critique on war, deftly balancing raw emotion and distressing action, taking audiences along on a tense exploration of the human aspects of warfare. It is a compelling watch for those who appreciate war films with substance and depth. The movie is a stark portrayal, a tribute to the soldiers and a reminder of the realities suffered on the frontline.