Since I'm not familiar with the actual event the film is based on, I can't comment on the authenticity, but can say this is a very well made and captivating film. It was nerve-wrecking at times and quite spectacular, actually. The action scenes were very good and the photography good, as well. I really rooted for the guys, and the film proofs so well (once again) that the guys in suits in their offices has no idea what really goes on in the field, and quite frankly often does not care as long as they win a war.

All the actors were very good and believable, especially Jamie Dornan as Quinlan. Its really a pity the real-life guys had to wait four decades before being declared heroes.

It's 1961. Newly independent Congo is in the turmoil of a civil war fueled by the Cold War and mining riches. The UN sends Irish peacekeepers to the town of Jadotville in the middle of a rich uranium deposit. Moise Tshombe is the smiling murderous leader of the State of Katanga. He recruits 1000 French mercenaries from De Gaulle. Irish Commandant Pat Quinlan (Jamie Dornan) is inexperienced like the rest of his men. Sergeant Jack Prendergast (Jason O'Mara) is the hardened one. Irish politician Conor Cruise O'Brien (Mark Strong) leads the mission and orders an aggressive takeover of the Katanga capital. The situation spins out of control and Jadotville comes under seige by overwhelming forces.

This is a rather standard war movie especially with its battle actions. It has the thrills of the standard old war movie with the wave attacks. One expects better tactics from the enemy. This doesn't go that much into the personal lives of the soldiers. In a way, I appreciate that. The movie introduces a romantic interest but quickly cuts her out. It's as if somebody had a change of opinion about injecting a romance into the battle. The ending does come as a surprise. The truth needs some way to spice up the tension.

So he can act, may be one of the things some people might say after watching this. But it would unfair judging someone just by one movie they did (I have only seen the first 50 shades movie so far). So in company of some really good actors and in battle portraying a real incident/event from the past, he succeeds to convey more emotion than in a movie that is supposed to be about emotions/feelings.

But let's stay with this, and its politics. Sometimes you find yourself being a pawn for someone else and not really being able to go anywhere else. So only thing/way to go is forward. And that's what this movie is about (and courage),amidst one of the worst situations you can find yourself imprisoned in. Since this is war, there is violence of course, and there will be almost unbelievable situations. But this actually happened (more or less),which makes it even more powerful