User Reviews

UKTV here in New Zealand started broadcasting a rather enjoyable reality TV series, called "Bad Lads Army", in which a group of English yobbos (or do we call them Asbos or Scallies now?) volunteer to go through a few weeks' of 1950s-style national service in the army, to see whether they could be made real men out of. Never mind that it never worked in the 1950s and the army then had better things to do (and thought it could better spend its time and resources elsewhere) than to babysit ne'er-do-wells. But I guess the idea was irresistible to programme producers who may have detected an eagerness among the general public to get back at those surplus males.

And what an enjoyable sight that meted-out humiliation is. The first episode focused on the natural exhibitionist streaks and one-upmanship one encounters whenever groups of males are out of sight of females. They tested their manhood against the alpha males - the rather unassuming looking but hard-as-nails corporals and other officers in charge - when settling in their new surroundings. The first half hour was an almost constant stream of bleeped out swear words, and it got so bad in the second half they didn't even bother bleeping anymore, which actually made for much more natural coverage of events without drawing too much attention to the vocabulary used. I was a little disappointed in the physical condition of a large part of the recruits, but perhaps I was expecting the extraordinary - not all of current 18 to 24 year olds are rugby players or porn stars, although a lot of them looked they were spending at least some time thinking about grooming, physical fitness and general personal hygiene.

The medical was a hoot, especially when the doctor asked one of the recruits, who had excellent eye sight: "Don't you masturbate?" The embarrassed silence on the boy's face was priceless.

Conscription was introduced in Britain at the start of the Second World War. It differs entirely from the American draft system since there was criteria for young American men not having to register for the draft like attending university etc . Conscription was different - Even if you had a place at university at age 18 you still had to do two years in the forces and even when the war ended Britain still used conscription up to 1960 when it was the only European country along side the Republic of Ireland to have a professional volunteer army .

BAD LADS ARMY is the follow up series to the 2002 reality show LADS ARMY of having a bunch of recruits experience 1950s national service except now the volunteers are petty crooks , thieves and wasters . This is the problem with conscript armies and why the most vocal opponents of conscription in this country are the military themselves , it`s difficult to make soldiers out of people who don`t want to be soldiers but by jove coporals Nauyokas and Murray give it a damn good try .

Cpl Nauyokas is given the short straw since he has Luke Brown in his squad . Brown is the sort of idiot who thinks he`s hard and it`s plain to see that he went on the show so he could play to the gallery and show off how tough he is . If he`s so hard then why did he volunteer to leave after a few days ? That`s because he`s a coward at heart and is the type of person not even the Iraqi army of the Saddam era would want . He might have a big mouth but that`s always the sign of a small heart and is proof that the present day British army have got it right by being vocal critics of conscription . Actually there is smug satisfaction in seeing all the loud mouthed recruits who thought they were tough on their first day all end up leaving the camp because they couldn`t hack it

Despite the compelling nature there are a few problems with the show . First of all since it`s broadcast so close to the watershed the first half of the show has all the swearing bleeped out which means we see Cpl Murray reprimanding recruits with " Dont BEEP answer me back . I`ll BEEP tell you who`s BEEP doing what to who " . I don`t know why the broadcasting standards have a problem with the language , like I said the show is broadcast after the 9 pm watershed . Another problem is that because of the nature of military training the episodes become less sadistic as the series goes on , recruits start becoming more switched on hence the NCOs have less punishment to dish out . I`m sure all former servicemen will agree with me when I say the worst day of basic training is the second day . I`m also sure all former servicemen will agree that when someone is beasted it`s so very funny as a spectator sport . Not so funny when it happens to you of course

Perhaps my major criticism with the series is that while it`s so watchable it is pointless at the end of the day . Several of the recruits of BAD LADS ARMY were so impressed with the experiment that they are now planning on applying to the present day British army . Good for them I say , but they`ve got a choice . Men in their late teens in the 1940s and 50s had absolutely no choice and when they completed their four weeks basic training ( Present day British army basic training is much longer . Depending on the regiment it`s 10 weeks minimum ) they could find themselves facing terrorists in Palestine , Malaya , Cyprus or facing armies of nation states in Korea or Egypt . But I guess sending the BAD LADS ARMY recruits to Basra for a few months would be taking reality TV too far

This is the ultimate in re-enacting! I would have love to have gone through this program!

I watched this program at the time of broadcast with my now late father who did 2 years of National Service in the late 1950's.

Very amusing and downright laugh out loud at some points, especially when the Provost Sgt was involved.

I can only comment as I find and my father loved it, he said the treatment shown, the uniforms, the beastings were all very accurate. Harsh and brutal at times, but it made a man out of him and was a good depiction of how his National Service was.

What began in series one as a recreation of 1950s National Service by series 4 has degenerated into a mildly sadistic sham with any real "recreation" thrown away in favour of more beasting and the random full frontal (male) nudity.

Which is a shame, because the initial series WERE good, and interesting, and asked questions about how relevant or effective National Service might be.

However - even with the first series - the major, overwhelming, problem is that these questions are never properly asked or discussed. The "soldiers" end their course and... we never hear of them again. No follow up (except for at the end of series three where the follow up was barely weeks, so not worth it).

Did the experience have any long-term effect? Did those who join the "real" army stay the course? Where are they now? Could such an experience provide any solution to problems of youth behaviour? Without this it really is a pointless show, and clearly by series 4 ("Extreme") ITV know it. So we now have the "recruits" following a course that bares no resemblance at all to any real 1950s course all with the "prize" of the "winner" going on a parachute jump.

Less "Who dares wins" than "Who cares who wins"! Series 1 deserved 8 stars - but deduct a star for each successive outing!

Of course it was scripted. All army basic training was/is scripted. The only difference here was that it was filmed and the participants gave interviews. All we see is 7, 8, or 10, episode of about 45 minutes. The lads were being trained 24 hrs/day 7 days/week. There would be lots of tedium for an audience, so we only saw what was deemed interesting by the producers. To people who think it was pointless I would say: 'If you never served in the British army you will never know how meaningful it was/is'. These days H&S plus PCness has watered training methods down. But I would still say if you haven't served don't knock it. For those people who want follow ups on the recruits. Don't wait for ITV. The internet is full of them. Just Google, "What happened after Bad Lads Army"

Lads Army was a rather daft programme presented as an experimental documentary but it was really a scripted reality type show in my opinion.

A group of young men from the wrong side of tracks experience 1950s type National Service.

At the same time we have excerpts from interviews from celebrities who experienced actual National Service in the post war period. It is clear from some interviewees that they disliked National Service and thought it was awful.

Although there are some politicians who think National Service would be a good thing and these days anyone under the age of 75 years of age is unlikely to have experienced it and no be in another position to lecture to others about it.

As for the recruits they are set about to perform by the Corporals various tasks one of them eating slop almost like pigs. The tasks seem to be designed to humiliate, showed little purpose but the make the recruits look bad or moan.

It was a silly programme which was more of a guilty pleasure.

"Lads Army" is a delightful and entertaining TV series that captures the essence of British history while providing viewers with a unique blend of humor, camaraderie, and genuine emotion. Spanning four seasons, the show takes us back in time to the 1940s, recreating the challenging and transformative experience of National Service during World War II.

Set in a time when conscription was mandatory for young men, "Lads Army" follows a group of recruits as they embark on an unforgettable journey to become the soldiers their country needs. As the recruits arrive at the fictional "Sergeant's Camp," they are greeted by seasoned Drill Instructors who expertly portray the strict and no-nonsense approach that characterized military training in that era.

One of the highlights of the show is undoubtedly the diverse group of characters. Each recruit brings a unique personality, and their interactions are both humorous and heartwarming. Viewers get to witness the growth and development of the recruits as they adapt to the regimented life, forge friendships, and overcome challenges together. It's incredible to see how these young men transform from uncertain boys to disciplined soldiers, driven by patriotism and a sense of duty to their country.

The attention to detail in the show's production is commendable. From the authentic period costumes to the meticulously reconstructed barracks and training grounds, "Lads Army" successfully immerses viewers into the past. The dedication of the production team to creating an accurate depiction of life during wartime is evident throughout every episode.

Furthermore, the show's format and challenges make for compelling and engaging viewing. The recruits are put through a series of rigorous training exercises, from learning how to handle weapons and perform drill routines to facing obstacle courses and physical fitness tests. The tension and suspense are palpable as we root for our favorite recruits to succeed and graduate from the program.

What sets "Lads Army" apart is its ability to blend humor and poignancy seamlessly. Alongside the comedic moments that arise from the recruits' fumbles and interactions, there are touching scenes that reveal the sacrifices and emotions involved in serving one's country during wartime. The show strikes a perfect balance, leaving viewers both laughing and emotionally invested.

Although "Lads Army" is a reality TV series, it also serves as an educational piece, shedding light on an important chapter in British history. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by previous generations and the importance of valuing our freedom and the hard-fought peace we enjoy today.

In conclusion, "Lads Army" is an endearing and captivating TV series that has something to offer to viewers of all ages. Its mix of humor, history, and heartwarming moments makes it a truly memorable experience. Whether you have an interest in military history or simply enjoy heartwarming stories of camaraderie, "Lads Army" is a series that you won't want to miss.