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The Siege of Jadotville 2016

In the Congo during 1961, a contingent of Irish soldiers finds itself in a desperate situation when they are besieged by a large force of Katangese soldiers and European mercenaries. Outnumbered more than 100 to one, the small unit, led by Captain Pat Quinlan, must rely on their training and courage to withstand the attack. The conflict is rooted in the political instability of the region and the involvement of powerful corporations seeking to control the area's resources. Faced with overwhelming odds, the soldiers fight to protect their base and survive the siege.

In the Congo during 1961, a contingent of Irish soldiers finds itself in a desperate situation when they are besieged by a large force of Katangese soldiers and European mercenaries. Outnumbered more than 100 to one, the small unit, led by Captain Pat Quinlan, must rely on their training and courage to withstand the attack. The conflict is rooted in the political instability of the region and the involvement of powerful corporations seeking to control the area's resources. Faced with overwhelming odds, the soldiers fight to protect their base and survive the siege.

Does The Siege of Jadotville have end credit scenes?

No!

The Siege of Jadotville does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Siege of Jadotville

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No actors found

Ratings and Reviews for The Siege of Jadotville

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Rotten Tomatoes
review

64%

TOMATOMETER

review

74%

User Score

IMDb

7.2 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

71

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.3

From 45 fan ratings

Movie Insider

2.40/5

From 5 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate The Siege of Jadotville Movie Quiz

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The Siege of Jadotville Quiz: Test your knowledge on the historical events and characters depicted in The Siege of Jadotville.

Who was entrusted by the UN Secretary General to lead the peacekeeping mission?

Awards & Nominations for The Siege of Jadotville

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14th Irish Film & Television Academy Awards 2017

Win

Best Director

Nomination

Lead Actor

Win

Best Supporting Actor

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Siege of Jadotville

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Read the complete plot summary of The Siege of Jadotville, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


As the curtains of history draw back, a jarring tale unfolds, beginning with the brutal execution of Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, which sets in motion a devastating civil war. In this chaotic backdrop, United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld entrusted Conor Cruise O’Brien with a crucial UN peacekeeping mission aimed at quelling unrest in the mineral-rich region of Katanga, known for its secessionist tendencies. With a tone laden with concern, Hammarskjöld privately cautioned O’Brien that the situation might escalate into a catastrophic global incident, urging him to take decisive actions.

Meanwhile, Irish Army Commandant Pat Quinlan discovered vulnerabilities at the UN compound near Jadotville upon his arrival, prompting him to order his troops to establish trenches and defensive positions, thereby fortifying their base against potential assaults.

During a fleeting moment of calm amidst the chaos, Quinlan ventured into a nearby town where he encountered French mercenary Rene Faulques, a meeting that would have dire consequences. Later, at the estate of Belgian colonist Madam LaFongagne, he unearthed the astonishing fact that Jadotville harbored the world’s richest uranium deposits — a discovery that would soon play a significant role in the unfolding conflict.

As O’Brien coordinated UN forces to target the Katangese-controlled government buildings in Elizabethville, tragedy struck when Indian peacekeepers attempted to take over the local radio station. A tragic shootout resulted in the deaths of 30 unarmed Katangese employees, their demise ignored by O’Brien as he remained fixated on military objectives.

Faulques received orders for vengeance against Jadotville, prompting a merciless siege on the Irish stronghold by Katangese forces accompanied by mercenaries. During a momentary pause in hostilities, Faulques futilely called for Quinlan’s surrender — but his pleas were met with defiance. The Irish troops exhibited extraordinary resilience, successfully fending off wave after wave of attackers, resulting in the deaths of 300 enemies and wounding over 1,000, all while suffering only 16 injuries among their ranks.

As conditions worsened, attempts to reinforce Quinlan’s beleaguered garrison were thwarted by separatist forces. A tragic water supply and evacuation mission via helicopter ended prematurely when hostile fire brought the chopper down, deepening the gloom hanging over the Irish troops.

With supplies desperately dwindling—ammunition, food, and even drinking water—the once-unstoppable force found themselves cornered and ultimately forced to surrender to the unrelenting might of Faulques’s mercenaries. For an agonizing month, the soldiers languished in a Katangese prison, only to be released as part of a prisoner exchange, finally allowed to return home.

However, joy was short-lived for Quinlan, who soon received disturbing news from General McEntee: the surrender of “A” Company had cast a shadow of shame over the United Nations and its leadership. The political fallout was severe, as those in power sought to obscure the truth behind the siege, leaving the soldiers’ honor tarnished. It would take more than three decades for a reevaluation of these events to clear their names and restore their reputations from the burdensome remnants of defeat.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Siege of Jadotville

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The Siege of Jadotville | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix

Cars Featured in The Siege of Jadotville

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Explore all cars featured in The Siege of Jadotville, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Austin

1957

A35

Bedford

1957

RL

Borgward

1953

B 4500 A

Chevrolet

1939

Master

Dodge

1942

WC 54

Ford

unknown

Imperial

1964

LeBaron

Land-Rover

109'' Series II

Land-Rover

109'' Series II

Land-Rover

109'' Series II

Movie Themes and Keywords

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congocivil war1960sdecolonization of africacolonial warplace name in titlefirearmeuropean colonialismopening action scenemercenarykatangabased on true storybased on book

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