'71 is another low budget thriller in the career of Jack O'Connell, who started out as a kid in THIS IS ENGLAND and has gone from strength to strength since. The last thing I saw him in was TOWER BLOCK, in which he was essentially playing a rougher version of himself, and you get the same impression here. O'Connell plays a rookie soldier who finds himself out of his depth and behind enemy lines in a hostile Belfast during 1971.

The thing that makes '71 work is the storyline, which focuses on pared-down action and suspense thrills over any grander aspirations. The complex, back-stabbing world of Northern Irish political manoeuvrings and allegiances is a fitting back drop for one man's story of survival against seemingly overwhelming odds. This is a film that manages to be grimly realistic for the most part; there are two stand-out shock sequences and a very well directed chase scene early on, and efficient direction and a pleasingly brisk pacing keep everything moving quickly on.

O'Connell supplies some rough-and-ready charm as the lead character, and the supporting cast incorporates a typically frightening turn from Sean Harris as one of his superiors. However, it's director Yann Demange who makes this something special, turning what could have been an average film in other hands into something fresh-feeling and exciting.

It's 1971. Gary Hook (Jack O'Connell) is a young British Army soldier. He is sent to Belfast. His unit supports the local Royal Ulster Constabulary in a search for guns. A crowd starts throwing rocks. One soldier is knocked out while a boy steals his gun. Hook gives chase followed by another soldier. They are left behind as the unit retreats. Hook's comrade is murdered by IRA radicals and he goes on the run. Meanwhile, the local IRA establishment is struggling with the young the restless radicals.

The first half hour is really harrowing. I wasn't sure if it could keep it up and it doesn't actually. It takes some unexpected turns. It's a bit convenient at times. I would have preferred a more straight-forward man-on-the-run movie. The movie doesn't need to take that detour and it tries to connect too many parts of the story. Jack O'Connell is solid as well as all the other actors. This is a solid thriller.

The film centers on new recruit Pvt. Gary Hooks (Jack O'Connell). It follows his training and then quickly the green recruit is sent to Belfast...why it's part of the same country. During a confrontation with the Catholic Irish, Hooks gets separated from his group where he is beaten and abandoned. He is reluctantly aided by some collaborators, while others hunt him like an animal. The film moves through questionable tactics and loyalties.

The movie was a decent drama thriller. It doesn't dwell much on the politics of the situation.

Guide: F-bombs. No sex or nudity.