The Siege of Jadotville (2016)

Irish Commandant Pat Quinlan leads a stand off with troops against French and Belgian Mercenaries in the Congo during the early 1960s.

Director:

Richie Smyth

Writers:

Kevin Brodbin, Declan Power (based on the book by)

Stars:

Richard Lukunku, Danny Sapani, Andrew Stock

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Lukunku	...	Patrice Lumumba
Danny Sapani	...	Moise Tshombe
Andrew Stock	...	Man in a White Suit
Mark Strong	...	Conor Cruise O'Brien
Jamie Dornan	...	Patrick Quinlan
Fionn O'Shea	...	William Reidy
Sam Keeley	...	Bill (Sniper) Ready
Ronan Raftery	...	John Gorman
Mike Noble	...	Charles Cooley
Jason O'Mara	...	Jack Prendergast
Fiona Glascott	...	Carmel Quinlan
Melissa Haiden	...	Beautiful Nurse
Jordan Mifsud	...	John Donnelly
Conor Quinlan	...	Patrick Joyce
Charlie Kelly	...	Walter Hegarty

Storyline

In 1961, the UN sends an Irish peacekeeper troop commanded by Commandant Pat Quinlan to Katanga, in Congo, to protect the inhabitants of the mining town of Jadotville in the beginning of a civil war. Meanwhile the UN advisor Dr. Conor Cruise O'Brien launches a military attack named Operation Morthor against the French and Belgian mercenaries. Soon there is a reprisal from the mercenaries and Quinlan and his men are left under siege by a huge number of Katangese and mercenary troops. Will the Irish soldiers resist the attack?

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Plot Keywords:

congo | civil war | africa | 1960s | netflix | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the briefing scene where Faulques discusses the Katangese attackers being caught off-guard, a mercenary is seen with the wild goose patch of the Congolese Army's famed 5 Commando, a white Anglophone mercenary unit. This is an anachronism, as 5 Commando fought in the Simba Rebellion, not the Katanga Secession, and wasn't formed until almost two years after the Siege of Jadotville, in 1964.

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Goofs

When Hammarskjöld's airplane is attacked, the fighter seen briefly outside the window is a different type than the Phantom II fighter jet seen in the following shot.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Pat Quinlan: [narrating] I once heard a man say that, in Africa, the sun is like a furnace that either melts you or forges you.

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Soundtracks

Cupid
Written by Sam Cooke
Performed by Sam Cooke
Published by ABKCO Music, Inc. and RCA Records

User Reviews

Captivating war drama!

Since I'm not familiar with the actual event the film is based on, I can't comment on the authenticity, but can say this is a very well made and captivating film. It was nerve-wrecking at times and quite spectacular, actually. The action scenes were very good and the photography good, as well. I really rooted for the guys, and the film proofs so well (once again) that the guys in suits in their offices has no idea what really goes on in the field, and quite frankly often does not care as long as they win a war.

All the actors were very good and believable, especially Jamie Dornan as Quinlan. Its really a pity the real-life guys had to wait four decades before being declared heroes.

Details

Country:

Ireland South Africa

Language:

English Irish French

Release Date:

7 October 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Siege of Jadotville

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Parallel Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Color:

Color (ACES)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1