’71 (2014)

A gripping survival thriller set during the peak of the Northern Ireland conflict, where a young British soldier, stranded in a hostile IRA stronghold after a riot, fights for his life over the course of one harrowing night. Directed by Yann Demange in his feature debut, the film vividly transforms Belfast’s red-brick streets into a perilous war zone, brimming with tension and danger. Jack O’Connell delivers a powerful lead performance, anchoring a film that’s both emotionally charged and technically impressive.
Premiering 11 years after Paul Greengrass’ Bloody Sunday, ’71 offers a contrasting approach to the same historical period. While Greengrass adopted a journalistic style, Demange opts for a visceral, expressionistic take, blending the horror of war with historical accuracy, marking a bold debut for a promising director.

The story follows Gary Hook (Jack O’Connell), a young British soldier deployed to Belfast in 1971. On his first mission, Gary’s unit becomes embroiled in a chaotic riot. Separated from his comrades and stranded in the hostile streets of Belfast, Gary must navigate a maze of sectarian violence, betrayal, and desperation as he struggles to find his way back to safety.

As night falls, Gary becomes a pawn in the volatile conflict between the IRA, Loyalist paramilitaries, and British intelligence forces. His journey forces him to confront the moral complexities of the conflict and the fragile humanity within those on both sides.