Heroes II: The Return

Heroes II: the Return

Company type	Mini-series
Industry	Television
Founded	1991
Headquarters	United Kingdom, Australia
Products	Television drama

Heroes II: the Return is a 1991 British-Australian mini-series depicting Operation Rimau during World War II. It acts as a follow-up to the 1989 mini-series The Heroes.

Part One

After the triumph of Operation Jaywick, Ivan Lyon from Z Special Force suggests conducting another assault on Singapore harbour, designated as Operation Rimau, aimed at disrupting enemy vessels. Lyon enlists Donald Davidson, Bob Page, along with nineteen Z Force commandos, but encounters doubt from Colonel Mott, who had supported Jaywick, unlike other senior officers. When Lyon's initial strategy fails, the mission appears compromised until he secures unexpected support from Lord Mountbatten, keen to highlight Commonwealth forces' dedication alongside American efforts. Overriding Mott’s objections, Mountbatten enables Lyon’s team to travel by submarine, seize a native fishing boat, and set up a base on Merapas Island. After acquiring a vessel and leaving four men to guard supplies, Lyon proceeds towards Singapore disguised as Malay fishermen. Their disguise is uncovered near the target; Lyon evacuates the fishing boat and dispatches his team back in canoes. Most paddle toward their extraction point while Lyon and five commandos conduct a canoe raid on Singapore Harbour. Days later, when a submarine returns to Merapas for pickup, the island is deserted with no trace of the team.

Part Two

Following the war's end, Army Intelligence officer Captain Ellis investigates the disappearance of twenty-three Z Special commandos involved in Operation Rimau. Through interrogations of captured Japanese soldiers and analysis of confidential documents from Mountbatten's headquarters, Ellis learns that Lyon’s men were tracked on Merapas and escaped to nearby islands while awaiting submarine retrieval. A distress radio message sent by Lyon was received at General MacArthur's headquarters but remained unheeded for several weeks. While many commandos, including Lyon and Davidson, were killed, ten were captured and confined at Changi Prison, facing trial for perfidy. Ellis uncovers Japanese records indicating that the prisoners underwent unjust trials and, contrary to official accounts of honorable execution, were brutally beheaded. Despite presenting evidence of these war crimes, Ellis is informed that prosecutions are blocked by orders from General MacArthur. With no further options available, Ellis notifies the families of the Rimau commandos about their fate.

Cast

• Nathaniel Parker as Ivan Lyon
• Christopher Morsley as Robert Page
• John Bach as Lt. Cmdr. Donald 'Davo' Davidson
• Simon Burke as Capt. Ellis
• Ken Teraizumi as Hiroyuki Furuta
• Mark Lewis Jones as Royal Marine Maj. Reggie Ingleton
• Ian Bolt as Lt Bobby Ross
• Anne-Louise Lambert as Nancy Davidson
• Miranda Otto as Roma Page
• Craig McLachlan as Lt. Walter Carey
• Troy Willats as Able Seaman Andrew 'Happy' Huston
• Wayne Scott Kermond as Able Seaman Frederick 'Boof' Marsh
• Kelly Dingwall as Able Seaman Walter 'Poppa' Falls
• John O'Hare as Cpl. Fletcher
• Scott McGregor as Cpl. Claire Stewart
• Kate Sheil as Roma's Mother
• Kit Taylor as Roma's Father
• Jonathan Sweet as Mackenzie

Production

Although Channel Ten opted not to produce a follow-up to The Heroes, Channel Seven chose to develop the sequel. The initial mini-series was adapted from Robert McKie's book, but only the rights pertaining to Operation Jaywick had been secured. For this continuation, writer Peter Yeldham undertook thorough original investigations, with support from director Lee Robinson, who had previously created The Highest Honor (1982), which also explored the same subject matter.

Some original cast members, such as Paul Rhys and Jason Donovan, did not return for the sequel; nevertheless, Christopher Morley, John Bach, and Wayne Scott Kermond reprised their previous roles. Filming commenced on 27 April 1991 in locations across Queensland and Otford, situated south of Sydney. Producer Buckley remarked on the heightened involvement and influence from UK collaborators compared to the initial production.

Reception

While the sequel garnered a favorable audience response, it did not match the viewer ratings achieved by The Heroes.