SAS documentary awarded $250,000

A USQ researched and produced documentary detailing the history of Australia's Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) has received a grant from the national Department of Defence.

Professor Bruce Horsfield was awarded a $250,000 grant to complete his three part series.

'Some time ago I was approached by an ex-member of the SAS, who had seen my documentary, Long Tan – The True Story and he asked me to do similar research for a film about the SAS,' Professor Horsfield said.

'I was given approval by the Director of Special Forces and commenced fairly extensive ethnographic fieldwork.

'The $250,000 will enable the project to continue until its aims of production and publication have been achieved.'

Gaining access to the usually secretive SAS is something that Professor Horsfield has never taken for granted.

'It is unusual for a documentary film maker to be permitted access to the SAS and the many documentary producers who do approach the SAS always get knocked back,' he said.

'I am told that they allowed me to do this out of regard for Long Tan – The True Story as they saw it as balanced, authoritative and well-researched.'

Documenting the history of the SAS is also a difficult task, continued Professor Horsfield, but so far he said that the response to the project had been positive.

'It is a complex project – because the SAS operate in small groups there is not just one history but many histories.

'The response from the Special Operations Command Headquarters to the project so far however has been very positive.

'The documentary will look at the history of the SAS up to and including its involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.'

Professor Horsfield received the USQ staff medal for research for Long Tan – The True Story and a UNESCO–funded Pacific Islands media research. He is now hopeful that this series will have a similar impact.

'I have estimated that between three and four million people have seen Long-Tan,' he said.

'That outcome represents an important enhancement of the research profile of Communication and Media Studies at USQ.'

The documentary series is expected to be completed by December this year.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628