"Heart of Invictus" documentary series, streaming 30 August 2023

[MrsMaxDeWinter]

The trailer for 'Heart of Invictus" has been released by Netflix, and it looks incredible, and so moving.

For those interested, please find it here.

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'Janiie, just wondering if have you watched the documentary series? Some things you have posted indicate to me that you don’t seem to have watched it.'

Only the first one so far, but lots of clips about the other eps have been featured on the news, not at all negatively. The general consensus seems to be it is excellent, well made and very moving.

However the media did feature the situation in and after Afghanistan quite heavily so of course whatever H says that is incorrect will be picked up on. He should know that, but like referring to 'kills' as 'chess pieces' he doesnt seem to think before he speaks <sorry to bring in the book but as boarding school and other issues not in the doc have been discussed I can't see it is derailing>.

Unfortunately and this is what we were talking about yesterday old things do come back to haunt - the chess pieces comments, the lack of support etc. It is inevitable in the press. Hopefully this will all die down and not overshadow Invictus as it seems to have so far.

@TheFairyCaravan Thank you for your post and for sharing your thoughts. A pleasant read 💐

Nothing has been overshadowed in the slightest. Except on here of course.

The press, media, reviews and ratings for the NF series have been really excellent. Go and look at reviews on IMDB. There are 167 reviews, and after scrolling through (I'm about halfway) I found one, just one, that was 9/10. All the rest 10/10
So believe me, nothing is being overshadowed.

I am a big user of IMDB and I have never seen that before.

I agree it’s not been overshadowed & the IG has got a lot of publicity. I do think though it’s completely unnecessary. The content was out of place in the documentary anyway and wouldn’t have been missed.

Thank you too to the poster who quoted Harry's full comments about support, which have been, as always, twisted out of their context.

You're welcome. I find it distasteful when people try to tell vets they can't ask for what they need, even if they've had some support they're allowed to say what they think was missing, regardless of who they are. Most of those on the documentary are saying they clearly missed something they needed, some even back in their childhood. While we can appreciate some support is there, there have been holes and anyone wanting to tell us what they are should be supported to do so.

'Except on here'. Are you seriously suggesting Mumsnet is the only place you've seen H's comments criticised. Nothing on Twitter, no Military commentators on such things as Sky news?

Everyone rates Invictus, everyone. There is however widespread scrutiny about H's woe is me mentality which flies in the face of what Invictus is about. He needs to hand over the baton.

Thank you. Yes. What the NF series and upcoming Games are managing to do is to shine a light on these brave, inspirational people and that is not despite of Harry. That is because of Harry. So I agree... no overshadowing.

Janiie see my last post about 'overshadowing'
That is all I will say to you in reply.

@Janiie It doesn’t surprise me that you have only watched the first episode - as you referred to ‘True Vets’ and ‘double amputees’

True Vets are simply Veterans. It’s not necessary for them to have served on tours or fought on the battlefield. Nor is it necessary to have been seriously physically wounded.

Indeed, some have no body wounds at all. They have psychological wounds.

A Veteran qualifies for the Invictus Games because they are simply a Veteran, and because their countries deem them to need it the most. That’s the selection criteria.

This all becomes clear as the series moves on.

The documentary series stands alone. It’s not serving the good of these veterans to cast shadows over it by questioning Harry’s truthfulness or sincerity. I really do think that the tabloids have made a mistake trying to do so. And it’s the tabloids that have made this about Harry with front page headings such as ‘we did talk about the veterans, Harry’.

All the veterans have been speaking about their struggles, we should support them to speak freely because talking honestly helps them. That includes Harry. None of them have a 'woe is me' attitude because they're sharing their struggles and its that kind of talk that harms peoples healing. It's shameful actually because it goes against what Invictus is trying to do. Telling any veteran that talking about their pain is 'woe is me' is wrong.

'I really do think that the tabloids have made a mistake trying to do so. And it’s the tabloids that have made this about Harry with front page headings such as ‘we did talk about the veterans, Harry’.

Why cant the media refute his claims? The veterans were front page for a long time, rightly so. He cannot just change history to fit his narrative.

Indeed, some have no body wounds at all. They have psychological wounds.

Yes, the team from Denmark, as Ive said already, all of them have PTSD. I just mentioned a woman in Team Uk yesterday who has chronic illness, she wasn't injured at war. I just can;t understand some of the comments here... so offensive.

'None of them have a 'woe is me' attitude because they're sharing their struggles and its that kind of talk that harms peoples healing.'

Of course the vets don't have a woe is me attitude, they accept their situations and strive to overcome obstacles both physical and mental.

I said H had a woe is me attitude, as documented in his book and as witnessed in all his interviews. His mentality is at odds with what he is representing. Imo.

Harry is a veteran and in this context, he is talking about his trauma and thats why he set these games up, because he understands what its like. So in this context, telling any vet, no matter who they are, that they have a 'woe is me' attitude is incredibly offensive and harmful, in my opinion, to all of them and any of us here who speak about our past trauma and how it affects us. Your attitude overall with regards to trauma and mental health is harmful, and I find it deeply unpleasant. That's my opinion. I also don't think Harry has a woe is me attitude, he's out there doing something about a problem he sees and its helped thousands of vets, many who have thanked him for saving their life. He is sharing his love of sport because he knows, as anyone involved in mental health with tell you, being active helps a lot.

Once again, talking about trauma, pain, mental health, is not 'woe is me', its vital to your own survival, and sometimes helps others, as Harry has clearly done.

@Iwantcakeeveryday 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

'Harry is a veteran and in this context, he is talking about his trauma'

Yes but in his book, reality show and many media interviews he is constantly negative amd blames the Royal family and the UK for everything. As I say, different mentality.

I agree with @Iwantcakeeveryday ‘s last post, and am dipping out of this conversation.

I understand- it is difficult to contemplate the disdain so many people have for mental health issues in veterans.

My partner was at this Invictus. He is in the background of lots of the doc. The competitors, featured and not featured, are incredible. It has given them all their lives back. Being at the games was awe inspiring. Harry was amazing to all the teams in the background things that the public will never see. Sitting chatting with them. He was great to the families. We were sat almost next to him whilst he was screaming for our team in the wheelchair rugby final. My girls were thrilled that he was taking photos of their dad whilst he was playing a sport that has given him huge amounts of confidence and a new 'family'. #teaminvictus

wow, thank you for sharing this! Congratulations to your partner and please thank him for representing us there, how amazing!! So happy its helped him and your family. I was shouting at the telly watching the wheelchair rugby! Its incredible to watch, I get so nervous when they clash into each other. I think that is being televised at this years too :)

Discussing psoriasis last night wasn’t derailing from the topic of Invictus. Through my own child, I have met many children who suffer from life long illnesses. One child, who I am particularly fond of, suffers from psoriatic arthritis and is wheelchair bound. Her mother right now, is fighting for a blue badge to try and make her child’s life just that little bit more comfortable. Families like hers and mine have benefited from watching the series.

Several posters expressed that they are also going through similar situations including PTSD but they don’t feel comfortable enough to discuss here because of some persistent posters who lack empathy and consideration. I was hoping those posters would feel some regret and recognise that this thread should be left for those who need a safe space to share their thoughts and their admiration for Harry and the Invictus Games.

As @MrsMaxDeWinter stated there is a new thread which will better serve your needs and purpose in life. They are like minded and will happily engage with you.

I kindly and respectfully ask that you allow us the peace to celebrate the Invictus Games, the veterans and their families. Hopefully those who wanted to share their our own experiences will now feel comfortable enough to do so 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Continuing from last night’s conversation about autoimmune conditions, I wanted to ask those who are suffering from illnesses/injuries whether physical, mentally or both, what your takeaways were from the documentary. Was there anything in series that helped you with your own struggles?

@nonamesavailable123 Thank you for posting this. It was a pleasure to read! I’m so happy for you, your husband and your girls!!!
It sounds like you all had a lovely experience.
I need to learn more about the rules of wheelchair rugby before the games start so I can better understand what’s going on.
Also, thank for telling us more about Harry’s involvement and his impact within the veteran community.

i loved reading your post. I’m so glad your husband has grown more confident and gained a new ‘family’. Your girls being thrilled with both Harry and their Dad is really fun and endearing. It sounds like it was a really good day.

I watched the whole series and was blown away by the Veterans.

Talking about trauma, C-PTSD, and overcoming autoimmune disorders is exactly what this doc is about. There was no derailment going on as we were discussing similarities of some of posters vs the veterans on the show.

That is the exact opposite of derailing 🤷‍♀️