Fifty Dead Men Walking

(Canada, United Kingdom, USA, 2008, 118 mins)

35mm

Selected Filmography:  

EXEC PRODS: Stephen Margolis, Guy Collins, Michael Ryan, Nicole Carmen-Davis, Karyn Edwards, Kyle Lundberg, Cindy Cowan, Elise Choi
PRODS: Peter La Terriere, Kari Skogland, Stephen Hegyes, Shawn Williamson
SCR: Kari Skogland inspired by the book by Martin McGartland and Nicholas Davies
CAM: Jonathan Freeman
ED: Jim Munro
MUS: Ben Mink
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess, Kevin Zegers, Nathalie Press, Rose McGowan

I hope and pray that none may kill me / Nor I kill any, with woundings grim / But if ever any should think to kill me / I pray thee, God, let me kill him--traditional Irish toast

In the 1980s when the Irish civil conflict was at its most murderous, a 22-year-old from West Belfast was recruited by the British police to infiltrate the IRA and spy on them from the inside. The title refers to his British handler's promise that, because of his undercover work, there would be "50 dead men walking," men who would otherwise be dead. Martin McGartland (Jim Sturgess) works his way up the ranks as a volunteer for the IRA, all the while feeding information to his British handler. One day he is exposed, captured and tortured to within an inch of his life. After a dramatic escape, he leaves his young girlfriend and child behind for their own protection and has remained in hiding until this very day.

Directed with a firm hand by Kari Skogland (The Stone Angel) and based on McGartland's autobiographical book of the same name, the film transports us to a very frightening time and place. This accomplished film allows us to witness the barbarity of imperialism and the dual meanings of loyalty and treachery.

Sponsored By:

Vancouver View

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