'Fifty Dead Men Walking' a classy thriller about the Troubles

Director: Kari Skogland

Cast: Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess, Rose McGowan, Natalie Press

Cert: 15

There are still plenty of stories to be mined from the Troubles and, such as this thoughtful drama with something to tell us about our recent past.

This excellent film is based on Martin McGartland’s book, set in the late l980s when he – played here by Sturgess – was operating in Belfast as an Ordinary Decent Criminal with a scam that had him steering a dangerous path between the IRA and the British.

He is eventually recruited by the British to provide valuable information against the IRA for his Special Branch handler (Kingsley) and the title refers to the number of men his information probably saved.

The politics aside, this emerges as a classy thriller in its own right, with quite brilliant performances from a subdued Kingsley and an impressive Sturgess.

Star Rating: 5/5