Movie Review: The Siege of Jadotville
Hey Steem Movie Fans
It's time to break out your best Irish accent and head off to the Congo with another one of Netflix's based on true events movies that they currently have going for them. There's only so much a man can take, and even this fanboy is getting tired of fiction that just isn't cutting it, here's looking at you DC comic book movies.
So I decided to take on a little realism for once even though this story seems a tad bit absurd I thought what the hell, why not? Also, I kind of have a soft spot for any movies shot in South Africa, even though the story isn't based here, still good fun to pick out a few South African things in the movie.
Image source: frontierpartisans
What is The Siege of Jadotville about?
This is an untold story that has been kept under wraps for over 30 years. It begins In 1961, the UN sends an Irish peacekeeper troop commanded by Commandant Pat Quilan to Katanga, in Congo, to protect the inhabitants of the mining town of Jadotville at the beginning of a civil war.
Meanwhile, the UN advisor Dr. Conor Cruise O'Brien launches a military attack named Operation Morthor against the French and Belgian mercenaries. Soon there is a reprisal from the mercenaries and Quilana and his men are left under the siege of a huge Katangese and mercenary troops.
An Irish commander and his battalion of 150 men have to then withstand a siege by 3,000 Congolese troops led by French and Belgian mercenaries working for mining corporations.
What I thought of The Siege of Jadotville
While this may sound like a more realistic version of 300 and with fewer soldiers and Lionidis yelling ah who a whoo, this is Sparta. It's actually a really good movie, especially considering the fact that war movies of this kind need big budgets for battle scenes and special effects.
The action is intense and reminds me of a few of the opening of Saving Private Ryan - such is the feeling of realism, but with less emphasis on gore.
The pace of the movie is great, slowly building tension, moments of humour - and I know enough Irishmen to think its spot on - and the arc of hope, determination, frustration, despair and resolution. After each barrage, they defend you can feel the exhaustion and the mixed emotions that come with being constantly attacked by a force way more powerful than you're own.
The acting is on point, for the most part, I do however think that Mark Strong is capable of more and should have been given a meatier role in the move.
The movie is not just all guts and glory but covers a complex and interesting period of history as the United Nations tried to work out how to keep peace in the face of conflict. As such it touches on geopolitics, ego-driven strategies harking back to WW1, hope and honour. Which at times can go over the viewers head but still doesn't take away too much from the sheer enjoyment factor.
Trailer for The Siege of Jadotville
My rating for The Siege of Jadotville
The movie was paced well, solid action scenes which really had have you on edge at times. While the story itself has a few plot twists which makes it all the more thrilling to watch. The action scenes are spectacular but I would have liked the political conspiracy aspect to be explained better but I assume a lot of detail was kept private due to the nature of the story.
I'd give this one a solid 7 Irish Whiskeys out of 10
Have a say?
Have you seen the Siege of Jadotville? Do you like war movies? Are true stories better than fiction? Let me know in the comments
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