Many other reviewers have commented the apparent authenticity of the production, it certainly feels like the time it was set in both in terms of costumes but also the camera-work - the "mise en scene" if you wish to call it that...
The narrative is very efficient. We are briefly told the story of a recruit in the British army as he receives training and then is promptly sent to Ireland. There are a few clichés that raise their ugly heads, for example the well meaning but inexperienced Lieutenant who ignores his sergeant and exposes his men to unnecessary danger - a trope of so many Vietnam films.
His mistake leads to one soldier being cut off from his platoon and having to try to navigate out of enemy territory. The complexity of the 'troubles' leads to confusion over who he can trust as IRA gunmen, protestant paramilitaries, and his own side, hunt him for very different reasons.
Unfortunately the film cannot carry the terrific pace and tension of the first 30-45 minutes and after a dramatic scene mid film the story unravels somewhat as it searches for an ending. Some rather clunky twists in the final half hour cheapened what was otherwise a very good film and reduced it, in my opinion, from a great effort to just above average.
The narrative is very efficient. We are briefly told the story of a recruit in the British army as he receives training and then is promptly sent to Ireland. There are a few clichés that raise their ugly heads, for example the well meaning but inexperienced Lieutenant who ignores his sergeant and exposes his men to unnecessary danger - a trope of so many Vietnam films.
His mistake leads to one soldier being cut off from his platoon and having to try to navigate out of enemy territory. The complexity of the 'troubles' leads to confusion over who he can trust as IRA gunmen, protestant paramilitaries, and his own side, hunt him for very different reasons.
Unfortunately the film cannot carry the terrific pace and tension of the first 30-45 minutes and after a dramatic scene mid film the story unravels somewhat as it searches for an ending. Some rather clunky twists in the final half hour cheapened what was otherwise a very good film and reduced it, in my opinion, from a great effort to just above average.