50 Dead Men Walking

50 Dead Men Walking

Director: Kari Skogland

Starring: Jim Sturgess and Ben Kingsley

MPAA - Rated R for strong brutal violence and torture, language and some sexuality.

In what is probably one of the most overlooked films of the last few years Jim Sturgess (of the thriller 21) and Ben Kingsley deliver star performances in the supercharged action thriller 50 Dead Men Walking. This is an excellent film, the UK’s version of The Departed. This film has top notch cinematography, an excellent plot and decent acting that put this film into the almost “A” class of cinema.
I really loved the gritty cinematography of 50 Dead Men Walking for anyone who has seen the crime drama Street Kings or Training Day you know what I mean. The filming has a dark rich quality which makes things seem a little dirtier a little grittier. It also makes for a more picturesque quality to the footage that is very appealing to the eye. It added to the thrill of the chase and torture scenes. There is more suspense in this film then I have seen in a lot of this independent crime dramas.



The plot is kind of a blend between Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt’s The Devil’s Own and the more recent Departed starring Matt Damon and Leonardo Dicaprio (as I said above). Jim Sturgess is a young adult Catholic in the midst of the Irish upheaval in the 90s. He is poor and can’t make a living. Ben Kingsley, playing a British handler, recruits Sturgess to be an informer in the dangerous terrorist organization the IRA. Sturgess moves through the ranks trying to prevent bombings and hits to be carried out by IRA gun men. Through it all the audience is biting their nails on the edge of their seats fearing for Sturgess’ character’s life. There is not a moment when the movie is too slow or too random. Everything comes together in a great mix of drama and thrills.

The script, directing, and acting are all top notch. Sturgess has a great Irish accent, and is very good in his role as a young informant trying to stay alive. He is a lot more interesting to watch in this film as opposed to 21(not a bad film but Sturgess wasn’t all that great). Now he show a lot of promise in this role. Ben Kingsley plays the part of the wizened old spy who knows the business and sees Sturgess as a surrogate son. It is an oft played role by the aging Kingsley, but his toupee helps add credibility to his part. I prefer the shaved Kingsley I think he comes off more menacing without hair. The pair are quite good together and the acting is better because the script and plot are so well put together.
Over all this film is a great adaptation and works wonderfully on the screen. The fact that it is taken from a book actually written by Martin McGartland (played by Jim Sturgess in the film) about actual events in Martin’s life really helps add to the quality here.



This movie is very good but serious watch. I would give it an A- like maybe 9 out of 10, or at least a high B. It was just so well done I can’t believe it did not get more notoriety. Check out 50 Dead Men Walking, it is worth it, I loved it!

Sex/Nudity – 7 out of 10 – There are two scenes where we see a couple having sex. One scene they are completely covered by blankets but the movement and sound alludes to their activities. They are interrupted and we see him bare from the waist down and she holds a blanket across her chest to expose only bare shoulders. In another scene we see her bare legs around his bare legs and some thrusting, their shirts are on.

Violence/Gore – 8 out of 10 – There are riots, shootings, explosions, splattering blood, the works. The violence is not done in a cartoon or comedic fashion it is all very serious. There are a few torture scenes. The violence is not in any way gratuitous, there is not effort made for any ridiculous amounts of blood, but it is still a bloody film.

Profanity – 8 out of 10 – I read on the IMDB that there about 100 “F” words. I don’t think there were that many, and if there were it was not in the main dialogue it was more in the peripherals so to speak. There were quite a few uses of the “F” word, and a lot of other swear words used too.