Fifty Dead Men Walking (2008)

Fifty Dead Men Walking: Directed by Kari Skogland. With Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess, Kevin Zegers, Natalie Press. Martin McGartland joins the I.R.A. and feeds information to Britain’s Special Branch Agent Fergus.

“I read the book going by the same name many years ago when it first came out and it left quite an impression on me. I felt very sympathetic to Mr McGartlandu0026#39;s predicament, so I for one am glad that his story can largely be told in this medium. Read the book to iron out the odd discrepancy and to get the time-line correct. The director of this film bravely attempted to show u0026#39;The Troublesu0026#39; as viewed from both sides in the short time the film allows. Although not all of the events are true, the film does realistically portray the truly chilling times. It is violent, nasty and tense, and I congratulate the director on not pulling any punches and showing the sort of menace that haunted the streets in the province. The makers of the film did state: u0026#39;The screenplay to the film is INSPIRED by the book. Although many aspects and characters have been changed the screenplay was not written or approved by the writers of the book and is not a reproduction or adaptation of the book or any substantial part of itu0026#39; at the end of the film. I would suggest that wording was inserted to cover themselves. Certainly, Mr McGartland was not happy with the film to begin with as it showed him to be present at deaths that took place, to which he claimed he was not. Obviously, there are faults with the film then. But the main thrust of the book/film for me was that Mr McGartland was young, naive but also courageous, he was used by both sides and yet eventually couldnu0026#39;t trust either side. Although the peace treaty has been signed and to u0026#39;all intents and purposesu0026#39; the Troubles are over u0026#39;as we knew themu0026#39;, it is a well known fact that the IRA never forget those that cross them. So the film is a reminder to many that this man gave up his life as he knew it for very little in return and to be forever on the run. This is not your typical Hollywood fare and is all the better for it. A job well done!”