Film reviews in 22 sentences (or less)
Today: The Siege of Jadotville

A surprisingly entertaining Film. Slowly but successful, Netflix getting better by any new Movie. A Movie about a War without USA in it, really refreshing. A good told Story about a Irish UN Company against a French multinational mercenary Army. A solid leading actor and a good watchable length. A little too hasty editing in a few scenes and the missing emotional binding to the supporting roles, makes the movie to an absolutely okay watch for the little hunger. For the big hunger I recommend Black Hawk Down .

While nothing special, this was a pretty decent war film. Some tense and well shot action. Jamie Dornan continues to get his reputation to "credible" after the Fifty Shades nonsense, and he's alright. A lot of underdeveloped characters, some not so great performances and cliche war stuff, but it was a fairly entertaining siege thriller.

Ignored this on Netflix forever, but it's actually better than I assumed it would be.

The true story of Irish soldiers stationed in Africa by the United Nations who have to unexpectedly defend their post from mercenaries. There's a fair bit of tension once the bullets fly, by then you've come to care about these characters.

Worth a watch, seems underappreciated so far.

Why is there a Wilhelm scream after a guy gets shot in the head?

"You know what movie I want to remake? Zulu."
"Uh, that's a little problematic these days."
"What if I throw in some stuff about greedy Belgian mining companies and the UN to make it socially conscious."
"That should work. After all, we must honor the literal only instance of Irish military heroism."

The Siege of Jadotville is another fine brick in an increasingly solid wall of Netflix originals. Jamie Dornan and his fellow actors deliver strong performances, making you feel the frustration and despair along with the soldiers under siege, especially because it's based on a true event.

1961. USA and USSR locked in a Cold War. The Congo in Africa has mines rich with minerals they both want. The UN chooses Irish troops for a peacekeeping mission on Jadotville. African soldiers hire French Leggionaires to overrun the Irish soldiers. A siege of hellfire rains on them, outnumbered and low on ammunition. Soldiers from different countries locked in deadly combat. It's a great war movie exclusively from Netflix. Jamie Dorman gives a fine performance as the natural leader and Irish soldier. Each attack is more deadly and desperate for the soldiers. A great movie about a conflict I didn't know anything about. Based on a true story.

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

I don't know if this completely makes up for Fifty Shades of Grey, but it's certainly a step in the right direction for Jamie Dornan. Although it never treads into any new territory from a cinematic perspective, The Siege of Jadotville adeptly sheds light on an event that merits recognition, succinctly telling this story of desperation and perseverance.

Considering it was his first feature film, Richie Smyth dun gud.

This is just the Irish version of Zulu but with bigger guns, sexier accents and the French are the enemy. I like that.

Very forgettable, sorry to my fellow Irishmen. Loses all artistic integrity around midway through when the Wilhelm Scream can be very clearly heard.

War movie

We Were Soldiers sort of ruined 1960s military siege movies (an admittedly niche genre) by being oh so very, very good. The Siege of Jadotville is a good time, but not much about it really stands out and in comparison to that other, much greater, work it comes across as boring.

Boring!!!!

Maybe the most Generic Movie of all time but i still enjoyed it 🤷‍♂️

February 23, 2021

I already approved this movie just for the fact that someone was willing to film this little known story instead of making a movie around the five trending overrecycled historical themes of the moment. The deeds of the protagonists are of course a bit exagerated compared to the real story but everything is there. Good action. It was funny, as a Belgian, to watch a movie where the bad guys are Frech and Belgians.

One good scene in a bar is why it gets two stars. That’s it. Thanks for coming to my talk.

I thought about it... I’ve since downgraded it to 1 and a half.

An Irish film about an Irish UN peace keeping force who battled against mainly Belgian and French mercenaries and Katanganese rebels in the Congo in September 1961.  The Irish numbered just over one hundred and fifty whereas the opposing force numbered between three and five thousand men.  They managed to hold them off for five days but eventually surrendered due to lack of supplies and were held hostage for approx one month only for their exploits to be completely ignored by the Irish government for fifty years. This was an incredible period in history and is excellently told in this film.  Directed by Richie Smyth (his first feature film) with a screenplay by Kevin Brodbin from the book written by Declan Power.  In this film Jamie Dornan showed he was much more than Christian Grey with a super performance.  All involved gave strong performances.  I found it an engrossing and riveting Netflix film.

So rad. Very interesting that it’s a true story, but really good over all