Fifty Dead Men Walking

In this powerful Phase 4 Film director Kari Skogland brings the real-life story of Martin McGartland to the bigscreen. Played by Jim Sturgess (21, Across the Universe), Martin is a struggling young man that goes around selling bootlegged items for an income. Eventually, he is recruited by the British police to spy on the Irish Republican Army (IRA) at a time when Irish civil conflict is at its peak. Since his mates are already IRA volunteers it makes it easy for him to gain trust and work his way up the ranks as a fellow volunteer. After the British police unexpectedly sell him out the IRA capture Martin and begin to torture and interrogate him. In an effort to save his life he escapes by jumping out of a high-rise window where he almost dies but still manages to escape. To this day Martin McGartland is still in hiding and constantly on the run.

I would not classify Fifty Dead Men Walking as a chick flick but this film is still worthy of your time. It will open your eyes and allow you to grasp hold of another culture’s political conflict and history. And, it manages to feature a love story! After selling bootlegged items to her family, Martin falls in love with a girl named Lara (Natalie Press). They end up giving birth to a son named Patrick and have another child on the way at the time of his capture. In the film you see Martin leading a double life in hopes to protect his family. He avoids telling them his real profession so they can go on living normally. At the time of his capture he makes the decision to go into hiding on his own so that his family will not have to suffer.

Ladies, if you want to watch a great film that you and your significant other will enjoy, see this! It might not be a chick click, but Fifty Dead Men Walking will have you on the edge of your seat fearing for Martin’s life while leaving you full of questions at the time of his capture.

Fifty Dead Men Walking is definitely worth seeing in the theater.

***As a fair warning, there are a number of graphically violent scenes that are cringe and eye-covering worthy.