‘The Siege of Jadotville,’ which will premiere globally to over 81 million members on Netflix later this year, is to premiere in Galway this weekend.
Westmeath is closely linked with events inspiring the new film, which is to have its Irish premiere at the Galway Film Flead this weekend, recounting an extraordinary true story of courage under fire.
The name ‘Jadotville’ invokes the memory of a dark moment in the history of the Irish Defence Forces. Now the heroism of the Irish troops, many of whom came from the 6th Infantry Battalion based at Athlone’s Custume Barracks, on a fateful peacekeeping mission to the Congo in 1961 is to be portrayed on the silver screen.
Starring Irish actor, Jamie Dornan, the film will be screened at Galway’s Town Hall Theatre this Saturday, 9 July.
Further linking the film and Westmeath is the fact that it is based on the novel, ‘The Siege at Jadotville: The Irish Army’s Forgotten Battle‘ by Mullingar man, Declan Power, himself a former soldier.
TRUE STORY INSPIRED FILM
According to Westmeath TD, Deputy Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, the release of the film provides a timely landscape for honouring soldiers who fought in the Siege of Jadotville.
“The majority of the soldiers who fought at Jadotville came from the 6th Infantry Battalion based at Athlone’s Custume Barracks and I have personally met with the Taoiseach in recent weeks to seek formal recognition of the sacrifices made by those who survived the six-day siege and later imprisonment while on UN duty in the Congo,” said Deputy Moran.
“I have also spoken with Deputy Paul Kehoe, Minister of State at the Departments of An Taoiseach and Defence with Special Responsibility for Defence on the issue. I have a further meeting with him this week and I am confident of a positive outcome.”
This week, film-goers can experience for themselves the story of incredible courage against impossible odds with the release of ‘The Siege of Jadotville’.
Dornan plays Comdt Pat Quinlan, who led the Irish troops on what was Ireland’s first UN peace-keeping mission. The 150 men who took part in the Battle of Jadotville have since been described as “remarkable” and their sacrifice honoured as “an enduring legacy to the state.” But it was not always so.
SIEGE
Quinlan and his men were lightly armed and on 13 September, 1961, they came under attack from between 3,000 and 5,000 local militia, the Congolese Baluba tribesmen.
The men who took part in the Battle of Jadotville were forced to surrender after a five-day siege, in which they inflicted heavy casualties on Belgian-led Katangese forces.
They held the enemy at bay for five days, sustaining no fatalities as they battled. When ammunition and water ran out, Quinlan was forced to surrender.
The soldiers were later kept as POWs for six weeks, and taunted daily with threats of barbaric deaths.
After they returned home, they were taunted with accusations of cowardice but they were vindicated with the release of the Jadotville review report.
However, for many years, their bravery in the Congo went unheralded in their own country.
“The international spotlight will be placed on the siege this week with the release of a movie about the events. I think now would be an appropriate time to finally honour the men from the siege of Jadotville.” concluded Deputy Moran.
“The story of how Pat Quinlan led his troops against an overwhelming force without losing a single man is one of the great stories of the 20th century, and we are proud to be working with such a talented and committed team to bring it to life,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos. “This film will be an amazing addition to our global original films initiative.”
“As filmmakers, we are constantly looking for new ways to bring a movie to the largest possible audience. Netflix has already reinvented the TV market and is now moving front and centre into the film business. We are proud and excited to be part of their story and innovation,” said Parallel Films’ Alan Moloney.
The Siege of Jadotville is directed by Richie Smyth, a well-known commercial and music video director.
Following this weekend’s screening in Galway, Netflix and Parallel Films are planning a special screening for all the surviving members and their families, as well as for families of deceased soldiers in August or September in Dublin.
