'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 12 wins & 25 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 | year 1971 | ireland | behind enemy lines | urban setting | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,268,760, 3 May 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warp Films, Crab Apple Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most scenes were shot in Northern England.

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Goofs

When they're receiving their weapons from the armoury, the store clerk doesn't perform the safety check - cock, hook and look - to show them that the weapons are safe and unloaded. Similarly, the soldiers shown also have carried out their own safety checks too but didn't.

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Quotes

Mother in Raided House: For God's sake, will you never leave us alone?

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Connections

Referenced in Film '72: Episode dated 17 December 2014 (2014)

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Soundtracks

YOU BETTER MOVE ON
Written and Performed by Arthur Alexander
Published by EMI Music Publishing Limited
Courtesy of FAME Records

User Reviews

Gritty and uncompromising.

Tracking a young British soldier who fights for his life after being stranded by his unit on the vicious streets of Belfast, this 1971-set thriller is as grubby, tense and frenetic as the Northern Ireland conflict itself. Debutant Yann Demange does a sterling job in the director's chair, bringing a Paul Greengrass-esque urgency to the action with a combination of regular close-up shots and (not-too-shaky) hand-held camera work. Demange wisely opts for a quality over quantity approach to the brutal violence too, resulting in a few impactful events of savagery and gore that enhance the tension and dread rather than exploit it. Occurring over one night only, Demange – working from Gregory Burke's sparing, taut script – wrings suspense from moments as small as an uncomfortable conversation in a bar, and as big as a cat-and-mouse set piece in an apartment complex or the dazed aftermath of an explosion. It's not all smooth sailing though. The relatively unexplained bookending scenes are a tad cheesy and add little, whilst the bulk of the supporting characters are rarely more than stereotypes, albeit played with gusto. But this movie unmistakably belongs to lead actor, and recent BAFTA Rising Star winner, Jack O'Connell. His Private Gary Hook is resilient yet fragile, strong-willed yet frightened, making him a relatable everyman who will do anything to stay alive. It's not a film you could call "fun", but it's a riveting watch that rewards those willing to be immersed in its gritty and uncompromising survival story.