'71

We've seen war films aplenty in the decades motion pictures have been invented, and we've also seen films about conflicts whether they be religious or property disputes. I could list them, but it would be a never ending one. However, when I caught wind of a conflict film that was not only gritty, but showed compassion on both sides of the enemy lines, I simply felt compelled. After viewing "'71", my premonitions were correct, because this film rocked!

A young British soldier, Gary Hook (Jack O'Connell) is accidentally abandoned by his unit led by Capt. Sandy Browning (Sean Harris) and Lt. Armitage (Sam Reid) following a terrifying out of control riot they did not see coming on the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1971. Unable to differentiate friend from foe, the raw recruit must survive the night virtually alone and find his way to safety through a disorienting, alien and deadly landscape. Increasingly wary of his own comrades, he does meet some who are willing to help him, such as Eamon, a medic (Richard Dormer), Brigid (Charlie Murphy) and a loyalist child (Corey McKinley), but soon he will come to realize there are those he must hide from as well, namely Quinn (Killian Scott) and Sean (Barry Keoghan).

Others to round out the cast are Paul Anderson as Sgt. Leslie Lewis, Adam Nagaitis as Jimmy, David Wilmot as Boyle, Martin McCann as Paul Haggerty, Babou Ceesay as Corporal, Sam Hazeldine as C.O. and Jack Lowden as Thommo.

Remarkably, this film was directed by a first time theatrical filmmaker, Yann Demange (TV and shorts). Where did this guy come from? Typically new directors are not seasoned enough to pull off as gritty, intense and compelling a story as this. Of course, O'Connell ("Unbroken" and "Starred Up") is an actor that has an amazingly bright future, but hats off to Demange, because he still is responsible to get this character to come across as lost and broken as he did. It was equally well written by a virtual newcomer, Gregory Burke ("Black Watch" (TV movie) '07, "One Night in Emergency" (TV movie) '10). This was incredibly well thought out in that it came across as a story that is based on a true story, but it wasn't, which is the mark of exemplary storytelling. This character, Hook, which the story centered around was virtually a stranger in a strange land even though he was still in his home country. He was willing to fight until the ravages of war really hit him between the eyes. After which he exuded all the emotions one could and would experience given the same situation. Then, who could he trust as well as who he could not? To say Hook was placed in a living hell would be an understatement.

This isn't a film for the mass audience appeal, however if one can handle the graphic and intense scenes, this is a film those individuals should see. This clearly does not glorify film, on the contrary, it shows us all the true ugliness of humankind that we constantly need reminding of.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                     Rated: R                                  99mins.