Unfriendly Neighbors

‘71

One of my favorite film genres has to be War movies. Films like Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down, and even American Sniper give us a glimpse into the life of a soldier and the sometimes horrific things they go through. Even though some War movies are about the battle scenes, there are others that dive deeper into the psychological ‘battle’ that goes on within a solider. One such film like this was released last year in Europe simply titled ’71.

Fresh out of training, Gary Hook (Jack O’Connell Unbroken) and his unit are sent to Belfast to assist in the rising turbulence between the Catholics and the Protestants in 1971. On his first assignment, Hook and his squad are sent for crowd control in one of the most hostile parts of Belfast. In this particular section, Catholics and Protestants live side by side. So when Hook and company are sent out, they are to help the Royal Ulster Constabulary as they search door to door looking for weapons. As a large crowd starts to gather, the situation starts to become extremely aggressive for the young British soldiers. It gets so bad that one soldier has his rifle taken from him by a young boy, which causes him to run into and past the crowd to retrieve his weapon. Hook is called to run after the soldier and help him, but when they finally recover the soldier’s gun some very angry Catholics decide to beat the two men. Saved from the crowd temporarily, Hook’s squad-mate is unfortunately shot in the face and Hook is forced to flee into ‘enemy’ territory. Separated from his platoon and people looking to kill him on the spot, Hook must stay alive long enough to make it back to his barracks.

’71 is an amazing military thriller filled with superb suspense and brilliant performances. I was glued to my screen and so completely upset that this film never made it to American screens. Yet another British gem that so many Americans will be unaware of. Kudos all around from the director to the actors for this masterpiece in military films and this film should be held in high regard next to Saving Private Ryan, Apocalypse Now, and Platoon. This film does not have all the typical battle scenes, but the film thrives so wonderfully on the psychological suspense as Hook navigates a very unfriendly environment.

O’Connell is the crucial cog that makes this film work so well. His ability to draw the audience in with the way he physically translates his psychological fear. O’Connell is able to transform Hook from a naïve new recruit into this war harden veteran in just one night.  Sean Harris (Prometheus) also delivers and exceptional performance as Captain Sandy Browning, a Military Reaction Force (MRF) agent who seems to be playing both sides of this conflict. Harris has such great presence in this film and because of this, Harris is able to suck the audience in deeper into the Troubles.

Yann Demange is French director that I haven’t had the pleasure of getting to know before this film, though it seems that ’71 is Demange’s feature film debut. Wow is all I have to say about that. Demange so brilliantly gives the audience a very raw look into the minds of each character by simply using the camera. Demange also gives this film a very real 70’s feel by the look of the movie. I felt at times that this movie wasn’t made in 2014 but only a couple years after 1971. I wouldn’t be surprised if Demange makes an American debut very soon.

’71 is a very gritty and brutal look into a very tumultuous time in Irish history. Riddled with outstanding performances and jaw-dropping direction, ’71 should land on someone’s top movies of the decade list or at the very least someone’s top war movies list. Be prepared to be on edge this entire film along with feeling the high intensity emotions that Hook is experiencing.

The Verdict: Very Much Worth Your Time.