Danny Dyer's 'underrated' war film with link to James Bond and Sean Bean

Danny Dyer has a knack for starring in projects that continue to spark conversation long after their release.

The star is now set to give fans an insight into his thought process and career-defining decisions on new interview series, The Assembly. The show will air on ITV1 at 10:05pm on Saturday, April 26, offering viewers a peek into the journey that has shaped illustrious career.

One intriguing decision made by the actor was his participation in the 2011 British war film Age of Heroes. Garnering a 40 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this Adrian Vitoria-directed movie is based on the true events that led to the creation of Ian Fleming's 30 Commando unit during World War II.

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While Ian Fleming served in the Royal Navy's Naval Intelligence Division during the war, he is perhaps best known as the thriller novelist who brought James Bond to life through a series of post-war spy novels. These books eventually gave rise to the globally beloved Bond films, continuing to inspire writers and filmmakers across generations.

Age of Heroes, set amidst the tumultuous backdrop of World War II, charts the daring adventures of Corporal Bob Rains (played by Danny Dyer). After being discharged from military prison for cowardice and assaulting an officer in France, he finds himself recruited into the nascent 30 Commando unit, reports .

The film boasts a cast including Sean Bean, Izabella Miko, James D'Arcy, John Dagleish, William Houston, Aksel Hennie, and Guy Burnet. Despite its star-studded lineup, Age of Heroes struggled with its modest budget, leading to mixed reviews.

One critic pointed out: "This film's shoestring budget is just far too apparent, making it impossible to take seriously. But it has its moments."

Another reviewer was less forgiving about the war flick, saying: "Two sequels are planned, God help us."

Yet, not all feedback was negative; some critics found merit in the movie. One said: "The World War II movie has been one of the great film success stories in recent years, with audiences embracing generic action tales with enthusiasm. This smartly made British wartime romp purports to detail the birth of early special-forces unit 30 Commando, established by one Ian Fleming later to find greater fame as the creator of James Bond."

Praise also came for the dynamic between the leads, with another critic adding: "Bean and Danny Dyer butt heads in an engaging manner, and the icy locations add an atmospheric backdrop."

The film has garnered a positive reception from its audience, with one fan saying: "Watched it twice... gripped me from the start.. well scripted, well directed, acting excellent... gives an authentic feel to the reality of those times, the toughness of the men and the dangers they faced with a ruthless enemy snapping at their heels... Dyer was very credible... and the whole film is put in context throughout... who needs Hollywood budgets when our boys do a great job with the budget they have."

Another viewer lavished accolades on the movie: "A guns-blazing and riveting action-packed adventure of the real-life heroes of author Ian Fleming's commando unit in World War 2. An exceptional first chapter to a promising trilogy of the unit's adventures. An explosive, thrilling and dazzling action flick. Sean Bean and Danny Dyer give strong and compelling performances."

Yet, for all its strengths, some noted that its small budget sometimes showed through the seams. A critical review observed: "A great piece of history and a great story to tell and with some great actors to tell it (Danny Dyer though... meh). It's just the budget that lets this down, it does so much on very little that the production itself looks a bit cheap in places which is a let down and the ending is so abrupt it's almost as though they ran out of film."

Age Of Heroes is streaming on Amazon now.