"Tom Petch makes a powerful impression with this tough, smart war movie."
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
"A former soldier's award-winning film about disillusioned troops in Afghanistan is impressive.”
Mark Kermode, Observer
"Finally a British answer to the Hurt Locker, refreshingly sober and politically engaged.”
Simon Kinnear, Total Film
“a rough gem, capturing the volatile camaraderie of a serving unit cracking under a constant invisible threat”
Empire Magazine, 4 stars
“Petch conjures an eerie atmosphere of distance, not just from the invisible enemy but from the supposed allies”
Peter Young, FT, critic’s choice
“Directed by ex-Army Officer Tom Petch, this deeply troubling film looks at the war in Afghanistan”
Rupert Hawksley, The Telegraph, 4 star
“I will say only this. I have been that angry soldier, that conflicted Lieutenant, and that Captain struggling to keep it together. I have had Sergeants trying to do right by their men, had territorial and reserve soldiers who either can’t or won’t be let to fit in (and sometimes out-performed there professional comrades). If you don’t believe that any of these aspects can or have occurred, then take assurance from an old hand……they have and they do, all and unadulterated and worse. Soldiers, soldier, not because of orders, not for patriotism, not for money, not for love, food or sleep, they do it for the man next to them, and the respect that comes from that service…..that title ‘Soldier’.”
— Afghan Veteran