’71

 

DIRECTOR: Yann Demange

CAST: Jack O’Connell, Sean Harris, Richard Dormer, Paul Anderson

Set against the backdrop of the Northern Irish conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants, ’71 is a film that revolves around the misadventures of a soldier who get stranded into enemy territory. What follows, whether or not he will be caught, forms the rest of the film.

The film is brilliantly shot and captures every emotion of the soldier. There are some moments that are so unexpected that it feels like being held by the collar and thrown across over and over again. The tension that the director creates is so unbearable and high octane, that it’s impossible for an audience member to not involve themselves in the film. The music, undoubtedly one of the best soundtracks, gives you the feeling of being in the soldier’s place of agony and stress.  The director unabashedly places the realities and most importantly, the futility of the entire situation, wherein the soldier becomes a pawn of every gang’s personal agenda.

However, there are too many characters in the film and very few of them have been properly explored, apart from the main character. The film plot also blurs at one point, as there is confusion as to which character belongs to which side.

All in all, one of the best anti-war films to have come from a unique place, ’71 is a very engaging film on most fronts.

To get a better idea of what more this war drama might bring to you, watch the trailer right here: