Guilty Pleasures # 1 - 'Who Dares Wins' 1982

We all of us have two categories of favourite stuff. That which we admit to (perhaps because it is safely fashionable to do so) and that which we don't (normally consisting of naff or embarrassing tastes that we may not have even divulged to our partners). The latter type is what brings me to this post. I have a number a treasured favourite things that I would rather not admit to. This makes them guilty pleasures, and we all have these. Well I think it's about time to come out in the open and admit a few of them.

Frankly I'm tired of people adjusting their favourite film lists to accord with whatever Empire magazine likes this month, or only admitting to listening to music that is cool. It's okay if you enjoy the Worzels' 'I've got a brand new combine harvester, and I'll give you the key'. People may point and stare, but those people are vacuous automatons, too scared to be themselves and content instead to wrap themselves in the safety of the cultural zeitgeist. Well not me, I own 'Chas & Dave's' greatest hits and I'm not ashamed.

But today I feature something else, namely a film I own on DVD, yes that's right you can actually get this on DVD. There was a time when Lewis Collins (pictured) was favourite to take over as James Bond, but it never quite happened, maybe because he wasn't considered posh enough, or perhaps he wasn't famous enough in the U.S.. Whatever the reason he never got the role and so instead he did this movie, playing an S.A.S. captain seemingly thrown out of the service for brutality, but actually on a secret mission. Now, by most objective standards I suppose it isn't too good, but I personally love it. I love Lewis Collins (who can best be described as a 70's version of Jason Statham), I love how ruddy bloody hard he is in this, and I even like the synth music that dominates the soundtrack. But best of all is the last 10 minutes when the S.A.S. turn up in force and are generally tough and manly.

I know that many people think this film is crap, but I don't and I watch it often. In fact a double-bill with 'The Wild Geese' would be guilty pleasure heaven. But I don't want to be the only one edging out of the closet with a pile of DVDs in his hand, there must be others out there with secret loves that they dare not admit to, so please feel free to leave comments coming clean about your shame. Still not convinced ? Okay then, I own the greatest hits CD of 'Hue & Cry', and I actually like it. Beat that for shame.