Fifty Dead Men Walking

Name: Fifty Dead Men Walking
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: August 21, 2009
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 57

2009

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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Fifty Dead Men Walking

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Movie Details & Credits

Phase 4 Films | Release Date: August 21, 2009 | R

Summary: In the 1980s when the Irish civil conflict was at its most treacherous, 22 year old Martin McGartland was recruited by the British police to infiltrate and spy on the IRA. He lived his life under constant threat of exposure and subsequent guaranteed torture and death yet he continued because his information saved many lives. He enjoyed theIn the 1980s when the Irish civil conflict was at its most treacherous, 22 year old Martin McGartland was recruited by the British police to infiltrate and spy on the IRA. He lived his life under constant threat of exposure and subsequent guaranteed torture and death yet he continued because his information saved many lives. He enjoyed the buzz until one day he was discovered and had to escape against all odds. Inspired by a true story, to this day he is on the run. (Brightlight Pictures)… Expand

Director: Kari Skogland

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 117 min

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Critic Reviews

Doris Toumarkine

The decibels, energy and overall quality are high in writer-director Kari Skogland's Fifty Dead Men Walking, her supremely well-made, highly stylized, graphic tale of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" in the late 1980s. Read full review

Tasha Robinson

What makes Fifty Dead Men work is the story’s sheer moral complexity, which dares viewers to sympathize with anyone onscreen for more than a few minutes at a time. Read full review

James Adams

It's a pretty fine film, thanks largely to the performances (and look) of its crackerjack cast, as well as Jonathan Freeman's restless, gritty cinematography and a lickety-split script. Read full review

Gary Goldstein

Terrific performances and an array of kinetic action scenes help distinguish Fifty Dead Men Walking from the seemingly endless stream of films about Northern Ireland's infamous era of sectarian violence known as the Troubles. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Sturgess is solid and Kingsley predictably sneaky, but the atmosphere -- scurries through the Catholic/Protestant border, tense stand-offs, spontaneous riots -- is what's genuinely gripping. Read full review

Aaron Hillis

The unfitting flashiness and clunky segues between thriller and melodrama kill any real sense of tension, making this a poor man's "Donnie Brasco"--that is, if its self-congratulation and failure to contextualize the values on both sides of the ethno-political struggle didn't already make it the poor man's "Hunger." Read full review

David Fear

Kari Skogland’s flashy yet dead-on-arrival drama turns Belfast’s backstreet battlefields into music-video backgrounds. Read full review

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User Reviews

DawdlingPoet

Nov 25, 2021

This is quite a gritty film, based on a true story. It features some moderate violence, including scenes of torture and so it might be an upsetting watch for some. It features good performances, although the (at times) jerky camerawork may frustrate some. If the story particularly interestsThis is quite a gritty film, based on a true story. It features some moderate violence, including scenes of torture and so it might be an upsetting watch for some. It features good performances, although the (at times) jerky camerawork may frustrate some. If the story particularly interests you then it may be worth a watch but I wouldn't personally recommend it as such, no.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RogerSmith97

Feb 23, 2011

First Off The Acting Is VERY Good, But The Writing And Plot Are Really Really Bad, And Uncreative..
I Didnt Find This Even "Cool"
The Acting Makes Up The Higher Point Of The Review...
Thats All I Can Say...

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JamesM.

Aug 25, 2009

Done way better many many times before. This genre would need a radical approach to make it any bit interesting. Harry's game streets ahead.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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