'71

Year: 2014
Genre: Action thriller
Director: Yann Demange


Plot: A young British soldier is left behind by his unit during the Belfast riots in 1971.


The gist: '71 brings to mind films like Behind Enemy Lines and the recent No Escape, both starring Owen Wilson. All three stories present a protagonist trapped in hostile territory who must survive until they can be rescued or find their own way out.

This story is set in 1971 when Ireland was in chaos due to the feud between Protestants and Catholics. Gary Hook is a young British soldier who is sent to Belfast with his unit to assist the police in searching the neighborhood for weapons. Things get ugly real quick when the people there don't take too kindly to their presence and start a confrontation, and in the mayhem that ensues, Hook gets left behind as his unit flees the scene. He is forced to keep running and avoid getting caught or killed by IRA loyalists, with a little help from a few good Belfast citizens.

French director Yann Demange makes his first major film here and does a great job. Like No Escape, '71 has plenty of suspenseful moments and unflinching violence, which is always welcome.


The good: Jack O'Connell puts in a strong performance as Gary Hook. Demange deserves credit for keeping the pace tight and the suspense continuous. Two standout scenes include a foot chase at the beginning and a cat and mouse style sequence at an apartment building in the final 30 minutes.

The bad: The film ends a bit abruptly without certain characters' motivations explained, almost as if there will be a sequel of some kind, but unlikely as the subject matter doesn't quite qualify it to have one.


Verdict: '71 is a pretty good action movie. If you loved No Escape, you would love this too. (7/10)