Brilliant ! A new classic is born. Wow ! What a surprise packet this is. In the same vein as, and at least as well made as "Zulu". The direction, casting, and acting are all first rate, and the combat scenes are realistic and convincing, and without any corny Hollywoodisms. Thoroughly engrossing war action. In addition, the film gets across to us an understanding of the global situation at the time and the significance of the assassination of Lumumba and the purported secession of Katanga from the Congo. The strongest message though is how the major powers failed to support the UN in the Congo, so that not only were a company of soldiers expendable, so was the UN Secretary-General himself. And De Gaulle had no hesitation in sending in legionnaire mercenaries to fight against UN peacekeepers. Jamie Dornan as Commandant (major) Quinlan and Mark Strong playing Conor Cruise O'Brien were outstanding, and I thought the actors playing the parts of Prendergast, Tshombe, and the legionnaire leader of the mercenaries were top class too. For a movie to be so good all round, a lot of credit must go the director. Looking at IMDb, it appears this is Richie Smyth's first directorial effort. I don't think it will be his last. Interestingly, or ominously, this movie comes out at a time when the clouds of civil war appear to be gathering over the Congo again, so there is a topical relevance as well.