--- title: "WATCH: This Royal Marines Commandos short film is better than most Hollywood films" date: "2025-02-21" modified: "2025-02-21" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/entertainment/watch-this-royal-marines-commandos-short-film-is-better-than-most-hollywood-films/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Movies and TV" tags: - "Guns" --- # WATCH: This Royal Marines Commandos short film is better than most Hollywood films ![]() *(Royal Navy)* The 2012 action film *[Act of Valor]()* was one of the first Hollywood productions to accurately depict the modern military. This was accomplished through the use of active duty Navy SEALs and SWCC operators. Although the film received negative reviews from critics for the stiff acting of the sailors, it was a box office success and arguably helped drive Hollywood toward more realistic action/military productions. *Act of Valor* is best remembered for its intense and realistic action scenes, courtesy of the real-deal operators in front of the cameras. Avoiding the one-dimensional acting that garnered negative reviews from critics, the British Royal Marines made a short film with pure, tactical action titled "Raid." ![JOHN C STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. (Aug. 16, 2009) – Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) from Special Boat Team 22 drive a Special Operations Craft-Riverine (SOC-R) for a scene in the upcoming Bandito Brothers production tentatively titled “I Am That Man”, due in theaters in 2010. SWCC are U.S. Special Operations Command maritime mobility experts. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Kathryn Whittenberger/Released)]() **The SWCC scene in* Act of Valor *is one of the best Hollywood depictions of the military from the GWOT era (U.S. Navy photo)* MCC (SW/AW) Kathryn Whittenberger* Seeming to draw inspiration from video games like *[Call of Duty]()*, the opening scene of "Raid" highlights the equipment being used by the Royal Marines of 42 Commando including the [SIG Sauer MCX]() and [Glock 19]() as they complete their objective of seizing a suspect vessel. Intelligence gathered from the maritime interdiction operation drives the titular follow-on operation. ![]() **Royal Marines snipers use the Accuracy International L115A1 rifle (Royal Navy)** The intelligence confirms the capture of a British national being held at an enemy radar station. Nearby, air defense positions screen the radar station while a buildup of ammunition and equipment was identified at another location. A sniper team was covertly inserted to provide overwatch on the hostage's position and confirmed that enemy radar is functional. The Commandos develop a plan to rescue the hostage and take out the enemy stockpile. Two teams from 40 Commando will land on the beach; one will take out an anti-aircraft site to open a corridor for a flight of [F-35 Lightning II strike fighters]() to destroy the enemy supply cache. The other team will hit the radar station and secure the hostage. The raid will conclude by first light and all elements will be extracted. ![]() **The Commandos tested the L403A1 in every environment that they operate in (Royal Navy)** The sniper team provides real-time intelligence to the operations rooms aboard HMS *Queen Elizabeth* and confirms that conditions are set to execute the raid. With the passage of a codeword, the Commandos have the green light to hit the beach armed with [L403A1-AIWs](). Simultaneously, F-35s take off and await the destruction of the air defense missile system to enable their strike on the cache. After climbing the rocky cliffs off the beach, the Commandos split up and head to their objectives. ![Soldier in camouflage uniform and tactical gear aiming a rifle through a window in a dark indoor setting. The soldier wears a helmet with night vision goggles and gloves, with a patch on the arm reading "ROYAL MARINES COMMANDO.]() **Future Commando Force is a modernization program designed to prepare the Royal Marines for modern missions (Royal Navy)* LPhot Daniel Shepherd* Sniper overwatch engages a sentry at the radar station, allowing the Commando team to move in and search for the hostage. Meanwhile, the other team sets charges on the enemy missile system. As the first team makes entry at the radar station and secures the hostage, the second team exfils and destroys the launcher. With the hostage secure and a corridor in the enemy's air defense opened up, a team from 29 Commando serves as the Joint Terminal Attack Controller and directs the F-35s onto their target of the weapons cache. Using an Android Tactical Assault Kit, the JTAC ensures that the target area is clear of friendly forces, confirms the target, and designates it for the pilots who drop their ordnance dead on. With all objectives complete, Wildcat helicopters fly in to extract all ground elements just as first light breaks. Raid successful, mission accomplished. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhCN7jn4CTE&list=WL&index=7 As a demonstration of the capabilities of the Royal Marines Commandos, "Raid" highlights the teamwork, versatility, and professionalism of the elite operators while "offering a glimpse into the future of littoral strike operations." Moreover, the short film serves to inspire potential recruits who want to carry out operations like those depicted in "Raid." ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()