Andy Lassen VC, MC** was one of the great heroes of World War II. The time is ripe for a new international TV documentary series about his life and exploits.
Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau Lassen VC, MC** (1920-1945) was one of the great heroes of World War II and is revered as an icon of the special forces in his home country, Denmark, and elsewhere. Busts of the soldier adorn several locations, e.g. at the Danish special forces’ HQ, at the SAS base in Hereford, the SBS HQ in the UK and at Comacchio in Northern Italy, where he was killed in action on 9 April 1945. Several books and articles have been written about Lassen, and a 1995 Danish documentary told some of his story.
Although Lassen features in Guy Ritchie’s recent action film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a very free American interpretation of the early history of the British SOE and its first few operations, the depiction of events and the role played by the Dane has only a tenuous link to reality.
On 9 April 2025, it will be 80 years since Anders Lassen was killed in action. The time is ripe for a high-quality TV documentary series to convey all the latest knowledge gathered about Lassen, set his exploits in the wider context of World War II and show they are still relevant.
A group of Danish experts and filmmakers, including Thomas Harder, the author of the biography Special Forces Hero – Anders Lassen VC, MC**, Lassen’s niece, Suzanne B.D. Lassen, and the producer Mark Gerber have set out to make the international documentary happen.
We want to tell the hero’s story and stay as true to the facts as possible. We believe it is highly relevant in the world of today, and new generations must not forget Lassen’s achievements and sacrifice.
Work on the series is at a very early phase. Several production companies have shown interest, but none have been willing to commit to or fund the project at this stage.
To develop the concept, we need to invest time and money in a pitch that will convince production companies and TV channels to see the project through to a successful completion.
Examples of what to expect
Watch a brief excerpt from an interview with Lassen’s sister Bente Bernstorff-Gyldensteen recorded in autumn 2023, as well as clips from interviews with Lassen’s comrades in arms that have never been made public before and archive material, e.g. from the Imperial War Museum..
Please donate £35 (€40) or more
All money raised by this crowdfunder will, of course, go toward the development of the documentary series. But there is something in it for you, too.
Donate £35 (€40) or more, and we will mention your name here on the website and email you a picture and text for use on Instagram, Facebook, etc., showing your support for the Anders Lassen documentary. After the crowdfunder, the website will provide regular updates about the project.
Donate £90 (€110) or more, and we will send you a copy of Thomas Harder’s book on Anders Lassen, “Special Forces Hero” signed by the author. (Please note that shipping costs will be added.)
You may, of course, prefer to remain anonymous. Read more by clicking on the link “DONATE HERE”.
Our goal is to crowdfund DKK 300,000 (approx. €40,000 or £35,000) to develop the concept. The money will cover the costs of further interviews with historians and other experts and members of the Lassen family; research in Danish, British, German, Greek and Italian photo and film archives; scriptwriting and editorial work; casting and budgeting. The goal is to draw up a fully developed outline for a international documentary series that will persuade public service broadcasters, other TV stations or producers to fund the project. The actual series will cost DKK 3–6 million (approx. €4–800,000 or £350-700,000).
Donations to develop the concept
Partners and ambassadors
Read more about the people behind the crowdfunder and those supporting the project
Suzanne B.D. Lassen
Graduate of the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University. Worked for Citibank. Former director of the Danish American Business Forum. Member of the board of several Danish foundations. Worked for the EU Police Mission. Graduate of the Danish School of Media and Journalism, 2012. Freelance journalist and developer of the ideas behind several documentaries. Photographer and painter, exhibited in several art galleries.
Jens Mandøe
Lieutenant Colonel (retired). Former head of the Danish Army Special Forces. Multiple posts at home and abroad during 35 years in the Army. Consultant and security advisor for a range of companies in the private and public sectors as well as for private individuals for more than a decade. Eight years in special forces. Member of the board of the Anders Lassen Foundation for 20 years.
Thomas Harder
Graduate in Italian and History. Literary translator, conference interpreter and author of several books on Italy and World War II, including Anders Lassens Krig 9 April 1940-9 April 1945 (5th edition 2024; English and Greek editions were published in 2021); BIRK – Historien om Kaj Birksted (2024) and En sten for Eva – Bogense 1855-Theresienstadt 1943 (with Lene Ewald Hesel, 2022).
Nick Jellicoe
Studied Chinese politics before working in advertising and running global communications for Rolex. Has written extensively about his grandfather, Admiral Jellicoe, and father, George, an early member of the SAS, David Stirling’s second in command, and commander of the SBS in the Aegean where Anders Lassen served. Frequent TV and radio presenter. Works closely with a number of naval and maritime museums.
Mark Gerber
Ideas man and documentary maker. Creative director in the advertising industry, 1987–2003. Member of the board of directors of Scan AD Gruppen for several years. Developer and producer of many commercials, corporate videos and podcasts. Editor and film editor of TV programmes for Danmarks Radio, TV2 and Viasat since 2003.
Anonymous supporters
The documentary series is supported by many active military personnel, including members of the Danish Navy, Army Special Forces and Navy Special Forces, as well as the British Special Boat Service (SBS) and Special Air Service (SAS). They remain anonymous for security reasons.
Thank you to all our donors
Frederik Siems Marley Siemssen, Karsten Sevel, Ole Christian Madsen
Contact
If you have questions about the collection itself, please visit boomerang.dk. Or send an email and we will answer your question as soon as possible.
Email: info@anderslassentv.com
Address: Pilevænget 26, DK-4370 Store Merloese, Denmark