Sunday 2 April 2017

'71: critical review

'71 


Set in Belfast (filmed on location in Sheffield and Liverpool) in 1971 - this film has one of the best chase sequences I've seen (clip below). Set in real time, with fast paced cuts, exhausting sound effects and relentless persuit through alleys, houses, bombed houses and streets. The special effects shrapnel, brick shards and concerete splinters, created by gun shots, were utterly convincing and the sound effects were incredible. 
The post explosion scene (a home made bomb exploding in the back of a pub) was haunting, particularly by the use of distorted high pitched whistling silence and, as a viewer, I was completely disorientated by the lack of sound
The storyline was completely believable, and it was only at the end of the film that I remembered that the whole story was based in one single day/night.
The art direction was invisible and utterly convincing...from the house interiors, the external streets, the bombed out dressing and special effects...
Reminded me of the constant threat of bombing in London whilst growing up....and it was something we simply got used to.
A brilliant, gritty and highly charged film.

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