Taboo writer Chips Hardy is adapting Shaun Pinner’s autobiographical Live. Fight. Survive, a firsthand account of being a British soldier caught up in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
British/Ukrainian production outfit United Heroes is set to adapt Live. Fight. Survive., British soldier Shaun Pinner’s memoir of his harrowing experience in the Ukraine war, as feature film with the working title The English Warrior.
Pinner’s book is a raw, firsthand account of being an English soldier caught in the midst of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
After marrying Ukrainian woman and joining the country’s military as sniper instructor, Pinner was on the front lines defending Mariupol.
Outnumbered and outgunned by vastly superior Russian forces, Pinner was finally captured and held for months as prisoner of war.
Writer Edward “Chips” Hardy, who co-created the BBC/FX series Taboo with his son, actor Tom Hardy, and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is attached to adapt Pinner’s book for the screen.
“It’s an extraordinary story of human resilience from a war that is right on our doorstep,” said Hardy.
“I am very excited about the story coming to life on film,” said Pinner. “I set out initially to spread the word of how Ukrainian prisoners are being tortured and treated, and to highlight the suffering caused by Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The genocide being committed by Russia in places like Bucha, Irpin and my home, Mariupol, should never be forgotten, and I hope my story adds to the understanding of what is actually going on in Ukraine from a ground-level perspective and firsthand experience.
