Andy Lassen VC, MC** was one of the great heroes of World War II. With the war in Ukraine grinding on, now is the time for new international TV Documentary series about his life and experiences.
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 by special forces in Denmark, his home country, and elsewhere.
Bronze busts of the officer stand guard across Europe: At the Danish Special Forces’ HQ, the SAS Base in Hereford, the SBS HQ in the UK, and Comacchio in Northern Italy, where he was killed in action on April 9th, 1945. Several books and articles have been written about Lassen and in 1995 a Danish documentary told part of his story.
Though Lassen stars in the recent Guy Ritchie action film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, the very free interpretation does not do justice to his role in the early SOE.
On April 9, 2025 it will be 80 years since Anders Lassen was killed. It is now time for a high-quality TV documentary series to convey all the latest knowledge gathered about Lassen, his role in SOE, SAS and in Special Boat Squadron, and set his achievements and exploits into a wider context of World War II.
A group of Danish Experts and filmmakers, including Thomas Harders, 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 joined forces to make a new international documentary happen.
We want to tell Lassen’s story and stay true historical facts. We believe it is highly relevant in the world today as Western Europe once again finds itself under military threat. New generations must not forget Lassen’s achievements and strong belief in freedom and what it takes to defend freedom. It is time to reassess the life of the Danish hero Anders Lassen who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Work on the series is at a very early phase. Several productions 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 at 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..
Our goal is to crowdfund DKK 300.000 (approximately € 40,000 or 30,000) to develop the concept. The money will cover the costs of further interviews with historians, other experts, 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 the development of an outline for an international documentary series that will persuade and inspire public service broadcasters, other TV stations or producers to fund the project. The actual series will cost DKK 3-6 million (approximately €4-800,00 or £350-700,000).
Donations to develop the concept
Please donate £35 (€40) or more
All money raised by this crowdfunder and other funds raised will 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 e-mail you a picture of and a text to for use on Instagram, Facebook, etc., showing your support for the Anders Lassen documentary. After the crowfunder, the website will provide regular updates about the project.
Donate £90 (€110) or more, and we will send you a signed copy of Thomas Harder’s book on Anders Lassen; “Special Forces Hero”. (Please note that shipping costs will be added).
You may, of course, prefer to remain anonymous.
Partners and ambassadors
Read more about the people behind the crowdfunder and those supporting the project
Bente Bernstorff-Gyldensteen
Is Anders Lassen's younger sister. In December 1945 at the age of 14 she accompanied her parents to Buckingham Palace when Anders Lassen posthomumusly was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George VI. During spring and summer of 1947, she went with her parents on a three-month long trip to Italy and Greece, where her mother Suzanne Lassen collected material for her book "Anders Lassen, VC. The story of a courageous Dane”, which was published in 1949. It was the first book published about Anders and was read by a large audience for many years.
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
Those who want to be anonymous and: Frederik Siems Marley Siemssen, Karsten Sevel, Ole Christian Madsen, David Grolin Kristensen, Mogens Vedsø, Gert Thomsen, Gorm Martin Larsen, Jørgen Nimb Lassen, Ingo Milton, Ole Blædel, Gert Ludvigsen, Jan Nielsen, Lars Krogh, Claus Heimann, Niels-Birger Danielsen, Peder Møller, Thomas Flandrup, Linda-Maria Kronborg, Raoul Janssen, Allie Larsen, Christoffer Castenskiold, Stanley Ross,Thomas Flandrup, Frants Erich Bernstorff Gyldensteen, Peter Rydell, Lars Bro Lundsberg, Poul Stevns Jensen…
Contact
If you have questions about the collection itself, please send an email and we will answer your question as soon as possible.
info@anderslassentv.com
Address: Pilevænget 26, DK-4370 Store Merloese, Denmark