"'71"

Jesus Christ, British army's been dying up there with shit flying at them from all angles for the last 10 years, and you're not impressed? (The Long Good Friday)

The conflict in Northern Ireland (the so-called «The Troubles») spanned for more than 30 years. Despite the fact, that this conflict is less known than The Vietnam War, it got own place in history and lest thousands of mentally and physically traumatized residents of the United Kingdom.

Gary Hook is a new recruit to the British Army. He hopes that his platoon would be sent to the West Germany, but instead they are transferred to Belfast. The capital of Northern Ireland is divided between Catholics and Protestants. During one of the search missions, one soldier loses his rifle and Cook, accompanied by another soldier, tries to regain it. They are severely beaten by angry mob and the Harry’s comrade is shot by IRA gunman. Gary evades the capturers, but the path to a base is very dangerous…

An ex-documentary director Yann Demange offers an impassionate insight into the 1970’s Northern Ireland. Without taking sides, The Director shows the young Nationalists and Catholics who are dreaming of growing up and acquiring rifles; pubs, where bombs misdetonates; bloody feud between senior and young wing of the IRA.

Such war does not have anything in common with wars about which we read and watch. In Belfast, there are no trenches, barbed wire, artillery or air strikes. Instead of it, the city is one big battlefield, where enemy is everywhere. The Northern Ireland conflict is fought by «unconventional» means – the extortion, the blackmail, the informants, the death squads doing dirty work on both sides.   

Nevertheless, even in such war, there are some people who save some traces of humanity. A retired Army medic along with his daughter shelters and helps a wounded Hook, despite the real threat of the IRA retaliation.

There is no place for justice in the real world. In a normal circumstances, nobody would not be interested in rescuing the peace of meat. The only reason for the hunt is simple – Hook knows, by coincidence, some valuable information. Nevertheless, after rescue there will be no commendation or punishment for the guilty. Mentally traumatized Gary Hook would be just thrown back into the world and maybe he will learn to live there again.

«’71» is a sincere film after which you want read some literature on The Troubles.

8/10