Brits in Iraq

May 20, 2005 8:05 PM

When you're in Iraq and have a bit of free time on your hand there's really only one thing you can do. Shame it crashed the Ministry of Defense computers.
posted by movilla (31 comments total)

(Second link 14mb wmv file)
posted by null terminated at 8:09 PM on May 20, 2005

It would have been better if they would have had Iraqis join in his parade around the secure compound, but.. you know..
posted by Balisong at 8:20 PM on May 20, 2005

Oops..Should have mentioned that. Some other sources can be found here. None are that small. That was part of the original problem though.
posted by movilla at 8:21 PM on May 20, 2005

that's adorable!

it shows you the gigantic difference--you guys get fun videos sent home, and we get sick torture pics. : <
posted by amberglow at 8:21 PM on May 20, 2005

(why a 70s? song tho?)
posted by amberglow at 8:22 PM on May 20, 2005

That song was from the 70's? That changes everything.
posted by ericost at 8:26 PM on May 20, 2005

it seemed like it...isn't it?
posted by amberglow at 8:29 PM on May 20, 2005

I agree, that's an obscure song, and I've heard my share of obscure songs.
posted by Balisong at 8:31 PM on May 20, 2005

Somehow I think the whose sequence is "staged"..

They're only showing us the parts that are nice and safe.
posted by Balisong at 8:33 PM on May 20, 2005

Er whole..
posted by Balisong at 8:33 PM on May 20, 2005

Tis is so damn funny. And I can't help but think if US guys made a joyous video in a hard situation and crashed a system they'd be on trial somewhere. Kudos to the brits for laughing and not flipping out.
They sure made me smile! nice work.
posted by cccorlew at 8:34 PM on May 20, 2005

It was No1 in the UK music charts for around 5 weeks in April. Comedian Peter Kay was the reason it did so well. The video, spoofed by the soldiers, had celebs walking alongside Kay and Christie as they sang it.
posted by movilla at 8:36 PM on May 20, 2005

ahhh..you guys have the weirdest top 10. : >
posted by amberglow at 8:49 PM on May 20, 2005

Normally the UK charts aren't too bad but this was for Comic Relief, a biennial TV charity event. The cheesy song picked just went down well with the British public.
posted by movilla at 9:00 PM on May 20, 2005

Somehow I think the whose sequence is "staged"..

You mean people don't normally parade around Iraq in their undies? Surely you jest!
posted by thedevildancedlightly at 9:09 PM on May 20, 2005

only Saddam, according to our cameras.
posted by amberglow at 9:11 PM on May 20, 2005

amber - there was a video posted here a while ago of American soldiers knocking over a biffy with one of their pals in it. So that wasn't, you know, torturing people.

Not quite as cute as this, though.
posted by kavasa at 9:21 PM on May 20, 2005

Yes, but that video was just proof of the sloping brows and dragging knuckles of American soldiers. Duh.
posted by Cyrano at 10:29 PM on May 20, 2005

good on ya, mate . . .
posted by mk1gti at 10:51 PM on May 20, 2005

The MoD said the spoof was "brilliant" and the crash did not cause problems.

That's awesome.
It would so never fly in the US.
posted by blacklite at 11:18 PM on May 20, 2005

This is *so* much better than the videos that American soldiers make...
posted by insomnia_lj at 11:24 PM on May 20, 2005

that's hot
posted by ackeber at 11:59 PM on May 20, 2005

The MoD said the spoof was "brilliant"

I've always been a fan of so many things British, somehow this does not surprise me at all. good to see somebody on the planet that still has a sense of humor
posted by matteo at 1:50 AM on May 21, 2005

I can't help feeling that, if the video weren't made in Iraq, but somewhere else (like Germany, or Gibralter), the MOD wouldn't be so forgiving. 'cos, hey, you can't diss guys in Iraq, they're heroes :)

Also, no wonder the MOD mail system crashed... what twit configured the system to allow just anybody to send huge video attachments? :)
posted by kaemaril at 3:27 AM on May 21, 2005

Was that an AK-74 the guy on the right was toting? Where'd he get, er, confiscate that? :) :) :)
posted by anthill at 10:03 AM on May 21, 2005

Not all that obscure a song if you were listening to the radio in the 70s here in the States -- Neil Sedaka had a minor hit with it back then, and now Tony Christie's cover is a chart-topper in the UK.
posted by alumshubby at 10:38 AM on May 21, 2005

I must have heard the Neil Sedaka version way back when.
posted by amberglow at 10:39 AM on May 21, 2005

The song was originally used by Peter Kay in the first episode of the second series of his comedy, Phoenix Nights. Two nightclub bouncers, Max (played by Peter Kay), and Paddy, are seen in close-up driving through the streets of Bolton, Lancashire. On the radio, playing very loudly, is this song. Max and Paddy are singing along, equally loudly, and they're also performing accompanying gestures.

After a couple of minutes or so of this, Max looks back and shouts to 'sing up'. It's then that the viewer gets to see that they're actually driving a van containing a number of very grim-faced elderly muslims. The camera pulls back to show the outside of the van, to reveal lettering that shows that they're actually working for a company that taxis muslim pensioners to the mosque. They're still singing as they help the pensioners out of the van.

A brilliant scene from an a brilliant comedy.
posted by veedubya at 11:58 AM on May 21, 2005

Inevitable parody: "Show Me the Way to Armageddon".
posted by wendell at 12:13 PM on May 21, 2005

Whilst his phone is showing "Ironside". Love that scene.
posted by blag at 1:01 PM on May 21, 2005

Horrible war. Funny video.
posted by bardic at 3:05 PM on May 21, 2005