This documentary features a unique war in history; a bloody struggle waged by the Communist Party of Malaya against thousands of Malayan, British and other Commonwealth forces in order to create a Communist Republic. Here Communist guerilla tactics were overcome by new battle techniques – the resettlement of 600,000 squatters into new villages, winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of the people and the use of intelligence in covert operations.

This two hour special makes extensive use of original archive footage and photographs, while former intelligence specialists, policemen, soldiers and terrorists offer vivid accounts of a war that lasted twelve years and cost thousands of lives.