'71

Set in Belfast in 1971, debut director Yann Demange has taken the brave decision to look at the ‘troubles’ through the eyes of naïve soldier Gary Hook (Jack O'Connell), a young English recruit.

Set in Belfast in 1971, debut director Yann Demange has taken the brave decision to look at the ‘troubles’ through the eyes of naïve soldier Gary Hook (Jack O'Connell), a young English recruit. He is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the deadly streets of Belfast in 1971, a fact which creates taut and tension-riddled episodes. Touches of ‘The Warriors’ and ‘Escape From New York’ abound in this drama where there is a foreboding sense of danger round every corner. 


O’Connell (‘Skins’, ‘Private Peaceful’, ‘Starred Up’, ‘Unbroken’) gives a superb and genuine performance [almost like a young Albert Finney!] and the sense of urgency and the fact that Hook is evidently of his depth in this foreign and dangerous environment is apparent and exhilarating. Sometimes behaving with bravado and then with frailty and vulnerability this is a strong element in the audience not knowing what is to happen next. Thankfully the script never over-dramatises the horrors of Belfast in the early 70s but simply lets the action do the talking, and scenes to make the heart race are plentiful. Tense, gripping and truly emotional this film is a strong action thriller…