'71 (2014)

In 1971, a young and disorientated British soldier is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the deadly streets of Belfast.

Director:

Yann Demange

Writer:

Gregory Burke

Stars:

Jack O'Connell, Sam Reid, Sean Harris

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 13 wins & 29 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack O'Connell	...	Gary Hook
Jack Lowden	...	Thommo
Paul Popplewell	...	Training Corporal
Adam Nagaitis	...	Jimmy
Joshua Hill	...	Carl
Ben Williams-Lee	...	Recruit Soldier
Jonah Russell	...	Barracks Officer
Harry Verity	...	Darren
Peter McNeil O'Connor	...	Warden
Babou Ceesay	...	Corporal
Sam Reid	...	Lt. Armitage
James McArdle	...	Sergeant
Sam Hazeldine	...	C.O.
Sean Harris	...	Captain Sandy Browning
Paul Anderson	...	Sergeant Leslie Lewis

Storyline

A young British soldier is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a terrifying riot on the streets of Belfast in 1971. Unable to tell friend from foe, the raw recruit must survive the night alone and find his way to safety through a disorienting, alien and deadly landscape.

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Plot Keywords:

british soldier | irish republican army | year 1971 | ireland | belfast northern ireland | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, disturbing images, and language throughout

Did You Know?

Trivia

The rifles that the British soldiers are using is the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle, a British version of the Belgian designed FN FAL. It is no longer in service by British forces as of the film's release but they would have been in service in 1971 as the film accurately depicts.

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Goofs

On a few occasions, the Corporal refers to the soldier's weapons incorrectly, he calls them 'Guns'. The weapon used is the L1A1 SLR (Self Loading Rifle) which has a rifled barrel. Anyone in the British Army would have referred to it as a rifle and not a gun.

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Quotes

C.O.: [after Lt. Armitage told him about Sergeant Leslie Lewis attempt to kill Gary Hook] It was a confused situation. In these circumstances, what you saw, what you think you saw, can be a very different thing to what actually happened. Do you understand?
Lt. Armitage: [Silence] .
C.O.: [firmly] Do you understand?
Lt. Armitage: Yes, sir.

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Connections

Referenced in Film 2018: Episode dated 17 December 2014 (2014)

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Soundtracks

RIGHT OR WRONG
Written and Performed by Wanda Jackson
Published by EMI Music Publishing Limited
Courtesy of Nashville Records
Under license from Universal Music Operations Limited

User Reviews

A superb debut from this team - Brilliant piece of film making

Set against the complex backdrop of the beginnings of Northern Ireland in 71 but before Bloody Sunday really turned the tide in the favour of the IRA in 72 this is an extremely well made taught piece of drama. With an assured performance by rising star Jack O'Connell in the lead, he plays a young soldier Gary Hook recently deployed to Northern Ireland who finds himself out of his dept when going on his first patrol thanks to the incompetence of his CO (Sam Reid) - Separated from his unit and lost in a city he doesn't know he's forced in a fight for survival as its hard to tell who is friend and who is foe in this extremely well written piece of drama. The writer here has taken care not to paint one side entirely good or bad and that is how it was. Wounded and armed with nothing but a knife Hook has enemies closing in from all sides as the film draws to a bloody climax.

I don't want to be accused of gushing praise, but there is much to compliment the whole team involved here, from the tones of the production design, beautifully capturing the mood feel and look of the 1970's in drab pastels and the grey of urban decay. The editing, directing, lighting is all bang on the money but greatest of all is the casting, for it is not only O'Connell who shines here, but the younger members of the cast almost upstage him with their brilliant performances. Two stand outs of the younger cast were Corey McKinley (Listed rather almost like an extra on here as 'Loyalist Child which seems a little unfair) and Barry Keoghan - The former is clearly a star in the making with his ballsy performance while Keoghan with almost no lines makes an amazing impact with simple looks conveying the struggles of emotion he feels inside when it comes to committing to a path of violence. Veterans Sean Harris brings his creepy presence to the duplicitous under cover unit commander but it is an energetic performance by O'Connell that brings it all together. Let us hope we do not loose him to Hollywood entirely. The film also takes time to give Hooks character some context, so we have some idea of his own life and attachments back home. A man almost without a family but not without people who are depending on him, this is a true depicting for many whom join the army, an alternative to spending life on the dole.

This film is living proof that we can make thrilling and exciting cinema in the UK but still leave some room for Social Commentary within the context of a great story - an excellent thriller which hints at the dark path that was to follow in Northern Ireland for many years. Strongly recommended.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Spain] Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 2014 (UK)

Also Known As:

'71

Filming Locations:

Stansfield Street and Bank Top, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$55,761, 1 March 2015

Gross USA:

$1,270,847

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,062,178

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film 4, British Film Institute (BFI), Screen Yorkshire

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1