Thursday, March 5, 2015

'71 (2014)

Directed by Yann Demange
Written by Greggory Burke

Starring Jack O'Connell, Sam Reid, Paul Anderson and Sean Harris
A young and disoriented British Soldier is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the deadly streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1971.


I don't know much about what happened in Belfast in the early 70s. Pretty much my extent of knowledge is that it was a bitter hatred and violence between Protestants and Catholics in the area and while it's not nearly as bad as it once was, the violence still occurs occasionally today. But this film really peaked my interest in the subject.

As all "behind enemy lines" stories go, Gary Hook must safely find his way back to his barracks without being detected. But this shows an entirely different side. While similar movies have a clear protagonist group and antagonist group, you can't really trust anyone throughout it's duration. So many unexpected things happen that you rarely feel at ease for the protagonist. It always feels as if he's in danger.


It is an intense, heart pounding story that grabs you at the very beginning and doesn't let go until the credits roll. Even when there was a lull in the action, I couldn't help but feel that something was afoot. It is a riveting thriller that explodes off the screen keeping you in a state of shock and bewilderment that something like this happened between adjacent neighborhoods.

My Rating: 7.5/10



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