Lads Army

Lads Army (2002)★ 7.9/10

GB · 60 min · July 1, 2002 · 4 seasons

  • Comedy
  • History
  • Reality TV

Directed by: Charlie Clay, Chris Cottam, Samantha Kingsley, Philippa Ross, Harry Beney

Documentary series following 30 bad lads over a four-week period as they go through army basic training 1950s style.

Original title
Lads Army
Storyline
In this reality show, a military training facility 1950s style has been reconstructed and several professional soldiers were extensively trained in the period's style as Montgomery platoon's commanding officer, CSM Glen Thomas, drill sergeant, provost sergeant, PE instructor and section corporals, and on Sunday an Anglican padre. There thirty volunteering 'bad lads' aged 18 to 24, mostly with criminal records, are to pass the period's standard four weeks training course which recruits were routinely given in the Fifties. It's a grim life from another age, when 'boys' were generally expected to 'take like a man' constant discomfort, verbal abuse and even utter humiliation without cringing or protesting. Today's bad lads have the option to leave without being hunted down as deserters, and a few do even in the first days...
Rating
7.9 / 10 · 202
Companies
Twenty Twenty Television, ITV - Independent Television, ITV4
Release dates
  • GB July 1, 2002