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By Gemma Brosnan Fifty Dead Men Walking is the new political thriller inspired by Martin McGartland and Nicholas Davies's book, capturing the tension and character of Northern Ireland in the 1980’s.
Directed by Kari Skogland with grit, precision and sensitivity, this widescreen story highlights the personal toll wrought by the larger civil conflict, reflecting the despair of the situation dryly referred to as ‘The Troubles’.
Nobody trusts a soul and paranoia is dangerously rife, as Martin McGartland (Jim Sturgess) turns from hustler to informer in the most personal of wars, after being recruited by British intelligence via agent, Fergus (Ben Kingsley), who provides him with money and a car to pass on inside information on the IRA.
With every successful mission, the danger intensifies, with McGartland on the edge and the IRA portrayed as ruthlessly as ever, as they battle with violence, disloyalty and the ultimate betrayal.
Their policy is brutal in its simplicity - once an infiltrator has been found out, he becomes a ‘dead man walking’ - with the danger of McGartland’s role illustrated during one bleak scene when an informer is discovered and subsequently tortured and killed.
In a telling sequence during the man’s funeral, his father says that he doesn’t blame the RUC for turning him into an informer, nor the IRA for killing him stating “I blame my son for going against his people”.
The thriller skilfully builds tension with a gripping sense of pace, as McGartland struggles to maintain a normal life against the backdrop of lies and consequent turmoil.
The visuals and effects are impressive, with riots, explosions and chases brought to life with dynamic flair and a cast bristling with talent, particular Sturgess, whose persuasive portrayal of McGartland is utterly convincing.
The real Martin McGartland claims that the information he passed to the British saved at least fifty lives between 1987 and 1991. He is still in hiding.
Directed by Kari Skogland, Starring Jim Sturgess, Ben Kingsley, Kevin Zegers, Natalie Press, Rose McGowan
15A cert, gen release, 117 min
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