'71 rated R for strong violence, language, and disturbing images throughout

I came across this film while flipping channels one day.  The plot sounded interesting so I watched it.  I wasn't disappointed.

In this picture, a young English soldier Gary Hook (played by Jack O'Connell) gets accidentally left behind by his unit when a riot breaks out while he is on patrol with his unit in Belfast in 1971.  After one of his fellow soldiers gets killed during the riot, Hook literally runs for his life through the streets of Belfast.  His unit quickly becomes aware of his absence and tries to find him.  As Hook tries to survive the night in Belfast he meets locals some sympathetic but mostly he is surrounded by understandably angry and resentful locals.  As the film plays out it becomes apparent that those whom he might assume are friends are in fact foes and foes may at least be helpful towards him.  Hook also finds that people who help him inevitably end up in harm's way.

The film was just excellent.  The actors were all amazing.  The story was very well written and executed.  There were quite a few twists and turns.  The tension that builds up throughout the film is intense with the audience wondering just how is this going to play out all the way to the end.  This is one of those pictures that takes off running and doesn't stop and not just because our protagonist literally runs in this picture.

The film presented food for thought in the form of an up close perspective of life in Belfast in the troubled times of the past.  Not surprisingly the locals are portrayed as people who simply want to be left alone to live in peace and are moved to violence after being pushed around.  No this doesn't excuse their actions but at least one can understand more of where they are coming from.

The cinematography of this film was brilliant.  You run right alongside Hook when he is running.  You're right there with the people who help Hook and the people who hunt Hook.  The visuals in this film are wonderfully paired with music that adds just the right touch to the feel of the movie.

I've seen this film listed as "extraordinary" and "underrated" and I very much agree with both descriptions.  If you get the chance this film is so worth watching.