The Irish army’s forgotten battle|Sep. 19, 2016|Ireland | South Africa|108 Min.|TV-MA
Genre: Drama;Thriller;War
Description: The Siege of Jadotville (2016) is a gripping film set amidst the backdrop of political turmoil and military conflict. The story begins with the assassination of Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, sparking a civil war. As the mineral-rich State of Katanga secedes under Moise Tshombe, United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld assigns Conor Cruise O’Brien to lead a UN peacekeeping mission. Hammarskjöld warns O’Brien that the crisis in Katanga could escalate into World War III and orders him to take decisive action. Meanwhile, Irish Army Commandant Pat Quinlan arrives at a UN compound near Jadotville with his infantry company. Recognizing the vulnerability of the compound, Quinlan orders his men to fortify their position with trenches and defensive structures.
During a visit to a nearby town, Quinlan encounters French mercenary Rene Faulques, who has been hired by mining companies allied with Tshombe. Quinlan also meets a Belgian colonist, Madam LaFongagne, who reveals that Jadotville holds the world’s richest uranium deposits. Concurrently, O’Brien orders UN forces to attack Katangese-held government buildings in Elizabethville. A violent clash ensues, resulting in the deaths of 30 unarmed Katangese. O’Brien attempts to conceal the incident. In retaliation, Faulques leads Katangese forces and mercenaries in an attack on Jadotville, besieging the Irish peacekeepers. Despite Quinlan’s refusal to surrender during a ceasefire, the Irish face relentless waves of assaults. Remarkably, they inflict heavy casualties on the enemy while sustaining minimal losses.
After exhausting their ammunition, Quinlan and his men are forced to surrender. They are held captive for a month before being released in a prisoner exchange and allowed to return home. The Siege of Jadotville highlights the bravery and resilience of the Irish soldiers in the face of overwhelming odds.
Cast director: Richie Smyth
Cast actor: Jamie Dornan, Guillaume Canet, Mark Strong, Jason O’Mara, Michael McElhatton, Mikael Persbrandt, Danny Sapani, Fionn O’Shea, Fiona Glascott, Emmanuelle Seigner
Original name: The Siege of Jadotville