Disappointing; poorly paced, internally inconsistent, badly plotted

My mum and 2 elderly couples who were in the audience when I went were quite moved by this film and found the violence all too real, possibly because they remember all the violence that took place in Ireland during this time, including 2 British soldiers being beaten and murdered after they got into 'the wrong car' as it were,.

The film isn't perfect and I think it does have pacing issues but it was the overall impact of the film that moved many viewers.

I disagree almost entirely with the OP, having found '71 to be superbly paced, written with a real understanding of time and place, directed with an appreciation of genre conventions and wonderfully acted. I have minor issues with the final scenes, but don't see it as clear-cut as the OP. Whilst the underlying themes of lost innocence and violence be getting violence ring true, as does the reality of mistrust and fear that's present in the narrative. And although this is a film set during the troubles in Northern Ireland, the narrative isn't explicitly about this in itself, being rich with horror genre tropes and a mood that's occasionally similar to that of Escape from New York or The Warriors. The film's score is also terrific, playing subtly and unobtrusive, but hugely atmospheric. There is, however, a clear streak of villainous-intent on the part of the undercover soldiers, who, as with the reality of the conflicts in Belfast, are duplicitous, colluding, self-serving and aren't necessarily a force for good or right because they wear a badge or are in the British military. It's well known how heinous some of the so-called peace-makers were at the time, and this is reflected in a narrative that's challenging without being complicated, whilst affording the ability to root for a protagonist with no loyalties other than to his job. The scene in which Hook is taken to be shot, which is, ostensibly, a rite of passage for the young boy, is another part of a "confused situation" that was fraught with deadly mistakes, malicious intent and no real answers. '71 is one of this year's best films.


NOW TARZAN MAKE WAR!

I didn't think much of the climax, but beyond that I totally disagree. I think it was a brilliant film that was wonderfully cinematic in the way it went about making its point. Like a companion piece to Greengrass' Bloody Sunday, but much better.

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i agree with you to an extent, the ending is a bit melodramatic, or contrived. perhaps it would have been more truthful to dispatch hook there and then. i have seldom seen a film that i found so utterly thrilling but depressing at the same time. it's exceptional in that, i think.

i can't comment on the truthfulness re: the troubles. i have found this still to be an emotive subject in britain and i don't know enough about it. i think the film aims for a more visceral impression of what it is like and it uses cinematic means rather than dialogue and exposition. i'm really really down with that. i loved the suddenness of a lot of the violence, the feeling that it was, even though looking familiarly british, removed from the norm, a kind of civil war. i tend to respond to films emotionally, i think, and it was satisfying to see it.

i relished having somebody in the centre who has no real business being there and responds accordingly. it's weirdly refreshing. i can't tell you how much i loved that there was no single instant of him coming out guns blazing and feeling in charge.

anyway, what i'm trying to say, i guess not everyone has to like it. but i appreciate your opinion. i have read quite a few reviews and people seem to differ on how deep the film's politics go. i think it takes the route of siding with its protagonist.