Take one young naïve man and place him as an informer (a "Tout") on the IRA to Special Investigations/Police and you have the gist of this film. Set in Belfast, we follow the life of one guy who is in over his head (as they always are) and has to juggle both sides along with his burgeoning family commitments (girlfriend with kid etc).

A generally captivating storyline being based on a true story, and to my surprise didn't glorify any act of violence but rather shows life as a ground patrol man for the IRA in it's most gritty form. Tries to steer clear of cliché and does a fine job.

Acting is fair and most actors fill in their roles very comfortable. Ben Kingsley is wonderful as the Special Investigators sponsor, whilst Jim Sturgess as the informer keeps you on side throughout the film. Rose McGowan as an IRA intelligence officer is the only person who seems out of place but likely was there to add a bit more colour to the surroundings but doesn't take away from the film too much.

Overall, an enjoyable analysis of life in the IRA. Add in a good soundtrack and some able camera work and you have in total a very good film. Good viewing.

"50 Dead Man Walking" is an account on the life of Martin McGartland, a young thief recruited by the British police to the difficult mission of infiltrate on IRA (in the 1980's) and help the British to discover informations over possible attacks. Jim Sturgess plays the divided young lad who works his way up on many different sides, as a member of the IRA, as a family man, as a devoted friend of his Irish mates and as a informant for the mysterious Fergus (Ben Kingsley). During all this he realizes the incredible potential of saving people lives (his informations are very valuable for the British) but he also notices the excruciating burden of betraying his friends and family confidence. Will this guy survive to tell his story? Can he trust Fergus? What about his duties on IRA?

The story was real, it really happened (some things were created for unnecessary dramatic purposes e.g. the scene where Martin escapes by jumping of a window, that happened but the height was exaggerated here). It is well told, dramatically interesting and very thrilling. The way director Kari Skogland worked was very efficient, and a story about someone being infiltrated on the IRA wasn't much portrayed in films before and that was very interesting to see despite some clichéd things that takes you back to similar movies like "Donnie Brasco" and "The Departed".

Jim Sturgess gets right again with an incredible performance as the troubled main character. If you had the opportunity to watch any of his other films you will notice that he knows how to work with many different accents very easily (he speaks Irish brilliantly). I must say that it was difficult to accept Sir Ben Kingsley in the role of Martin's chief during his first minutes on screen and I thought that Bob Hoskins would be a more interesting choice to play this guy but when the movie evolves you start to like his performance. The movie also features Rose McGowan (as Martin's wife) and Kevin Zegers (Martin's sinister best friend).

Wrongfully translated here as "The Spy", "50 Dead Man Walking" is a great movie about personal ethics versus majority ethics; trust or the lack of it; and the many aspects of a terrible endless war and their almost uncredited heroes and their good (and bad) actions. 9/10

In 1999 Canada, Martin McGartland (Jim Sturgess) is shot several times by a masked man. The movie flashes back to 1988 Belfast, Northern Ireland. He's a petty criminal and small time trader. IRA squad leader Mickey Johnson tries to recruit him. He and his friends have confrontations with IRA thugs. He is then recruited by British Special Branch operator Fergus (Ben Kingsley). He becomes a low level IRA member and starts informing on their operations. It's a dangerous double life. The film claims his activities saved fifty men from IRA attacks.

Jim Sturgess is great and the setting is terrific. Running through the alleys is thrilling. There is a great atmosphere. It is a little confused. A lot of that has to be the thick accents. I would love to have subtitles for this movie.