This is a total surprise of a film. Surprise because this thrill ride has not had a cinematic release (even in Ireland). Surprise because its a war film about Irish soldiers (which possibly puts in a category all of its own). Surprise because its an almost untold piece of history concerning a forgotten war, despite the astonishing heroism involved, mainly because the Irish government and the UN hushed it up.
Indeed maybe that is one explanation. Its a story that the Irish government only finally admitted to and fully acknowledged after the film had been made, 50 years after the events.
But its a story that deserves telling. Really, this is a 20th century Rorke's Drift. Except that the British had it easy in comparison to what these Irish lads (and young lads many are!) faced. Michael Caine in "Zulu" did not have to deal with machine guns, mortars, fighter planes and a lack of ammunition.
Its full of action, but also a tangled web of politics, and unanswered questions like why on earth the small unit is placed where it was at all.
It does not even have a video release, but it is on Netflicks. Don't miss it.
Indeed maybe that is one explanation. Its a story that the Irish government only finally admitted to and fully acknowledged after the film had been made, 50 years after the events.
But its a story that deserves telling. Really, this is a 20th century Rorke's Drift. Except that the British had it easy in comparison to what these Irish lads (and young lads many are!) faced. Michael Caine in "Zulu" did not have to deal with machine guns, mortars, fighter planes and a lack of ammunition.
Its full of action, but also a tangled web of politics, and unanswered questions like why on earth the small unit is placed where it was at all.
It does not even have a video release, but it is on Netflicks. Don't miss it.