'71

Set in Belfast during 1971, 71 follows Gary Hook, a young British soldier who, after his squad is swept up in a riot, becomes separated from his unit. Cut off from cover and radio, he threads his way through burned-out streets, shuttered storefronts, and checkpoints as the city erupts around him. With limited supplies and the danger of friend and foe closing in, he must improvise to stay alive while searching for a way back to his comrades. The film emphasizes realism, the claustrophobic fear of being pursued, and the human cost of war abroad and at home. The city becomes a maze of hostile crowds, flickering fires, and whispered rumors as the search for a way out grows desperate.

Directed by Yann Demange from a script by Gregory Burke, 71 arrived in 2014 with a plan to strip war down to a single day in Belfast. The feature showcases Jack O'Connell, using tight framing to heighten tension and realism.

Box office: The worldwide gross stood at around 3.2 million on an 11 million budget, reflecting a limited release and niche appeal, yet the title earned praise for its craft and performances in festival circuits and among critics.

Its stark portrait of Belfast during the Troubles offers a sharper look at urban danger than typical war films. Handheld cameras and tight spaces make every step feel risky, turning civilian fear into part of the story. The film sparked conversations about the civilian toll of conflict in modern cinema.

Critics praised the movie for its grounded realism, with O'Connell delivering a focused performance that keeps you inside the protagonist's fear. Themes include isolation, parity of power, and what a soldier chooses when safety feels impossible, and audiences respond to the raw realism and the framing of loyalty and fear.