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The One That Got Away (1996)
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The One That Got Away is the 1996 ITV dramatization of Chris Ryan's 1995 account of the Bravo Two Zero mission from the first Gulf War directed by Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum, Green Zone). His book was released after Andy McNab's book, but his movie came out three years before the BBC's dramatization of Bravo Two Zero, both of which were filmed in South Africa using the same armorers. The book and film were highly critical of McNab's leadership before and during the mission. Both Ryan and McNab were criticized for publishing the real names of the three troopers who perished while themselves still hiding behind pseudonyms. A third book about the mission by "Mike Coburn" ("Mark" in the film) was published in 2004, despite opposition from the British government.
The following weapons were used in the film The One That Got Away:
Colt AR-15 Sporter-1
Most of members of Bravo Two Zero including Chris Ryan (Paul McGann), Andy McNab (David Morrissey), Vince Phillips (Nick Brimble), Dinger (Steven Waddington), Stan (Simon Burke) and Mark (Hannes Muller) carry Colt AR-15 Sporter-1 rifles fitted with Cobray CM203 flare launchers. In reality, Dinger, Stan and Mark were equipped with FN Minimi light machine guns.
M16A1
"Legs" Lane (Sam Halpenny) carries a what appears to be an M16A1, also with a Cobray CM203 flare launcher. Big Bob (Alexander Morton) is seen loading one in the end.
FN Minimi (Prototype)
Small Bob (Steve John Shepherd) carries the prototype version of the FN Minimi. It can be identified as such by the downward sloping skeleton stock, the unhooded front sight, the more rounded and tapered handguard, and the FN FAL type carry handle. In reality, Dinger, Stan and Mark were also equipped with Minimis.
FN MAG 58
Small Bob's Minimi turns to, and back from, an FN MAG 58 machine gun during the firefight at the checkpoint. Iraqi forces are also showing equipped with MAGs.
Cobray CM203 Flare Launcher
Every member of Bravo Two Zero except for Small Bob has a Cobray CM203 mounted underneath his rifle.
Vektor R4 (mocked up as an AK-47)
The majority of the Iraqi forces in the film carry Vektor R4s mocked up to resemble AK-47s, a common practice for films shot in South Africa. They can be distinguished from genuine AK-47s by their straighter 5.56x45mm magazine, the more slanted bottom edge of the milled receiver and the shape of the lightening cut above the magazine well. They are mocked up as both solid, and folding stock variants.
Unidentified AK-47 Variant
An unidentified AK-47 variant (possibly a replica) is seen in the background in some shots. It can be differentiated from the blank firing Vektor R4s used during the majority of the film by the curvature of its 7.62x39mm magazine.
M72 LAW
Chris Ryan is equipped with an M72 LAW rocket launcher, which he keeps after the team is discovered and they abandon their gear.
ZU-23-2
ZU-23-2 mounts are seen throughout the film.
Trivia
Casspir APC
Since filming was done in South Africa with the help of the South African National Defence Force, South African Casspir APCs were used as Iraqi APCs. The Casspir is the ancestor of the Buffalo MRAP.
Right-Hand Drive
Vehicles in South Africa, like most former British colonies, are right-hand drive. Vehicles in Iraq, however, are not.
