In April of 1980, the Iranian embassy was stormed by six armed men demanding the release of hostages in Iran over the mistreatment of their tribe by the Persians in Iran. However, the UK had poor relations with Iran at the time and Iran UK
Review
Hello, Movie Buffs!
Directed by Toa Fraser, written by Glenn Standring, and starring Jamie Bell, Mark Strong, Abbie Cornish, and Ben Turner, 6 Days (2017) is a biographical action drama about the 1980 siege on the Iranian Embassy in London and how the heroic efforts of the SAS soldiers ended the 6-day siege. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics and I found it to be an interesting and thrilling lesson about a moment in history that, until now, was not aware had transpired.
The script is well written and is filled with a lot of detail despite its short screen time of 1hr and 34min. No time is wasted on unnecessary details but rather 6 Days is an honest depiction of what happened over those 6 days. There is some brutal action and bloodshed but that is not the main focus of the story. We see that the SAS had multiple opportunities where they could have stormed that building and taken out the terrorists rather than take 6 days. But each time they were set to go, they were told to stand down and this further proves how delicate things were. Both the negotiators and the SAS wanted unnecessary bloodshed but each has their own method to achieve that outcome.
Audiences are given the opportunity to see how everything transpired from different sides and opinions. We see the SAS practicing, the tense negotiations, and how easy it is for things to go from good to bad in a matter of seconds. But we also see the moral dilemmas everyone is facing by the press, the politicians, the police and the army.
Prime Minister Thatcher’s decision to allow the press to give live feeds outside the embassy could have easily put lives at risk but it also set a new premise for how things are handled. The world was watching and what happened here would impact the world for decades to come. However, this openness backfired in a way. Because it brought the SAS’ counter-terrorism role and their past success into the public eye, and ever since the SAS have found it difficult to act with the secrecy that they need.
Although I am an American I am moved by the courage that the British people and their Prime Minister displayed over those 6 days. They were a country on their own and yet they refused to let other potential threats see them as cowards. It is clear in the film that Prime Minister Thatcher had a firm stance against terrorism and they knew that their actions here would be judged for the rest of time. No threat would make them cowards.
The cast was good but there could have had better character introduction and development. Perhaps show a side to each of the main characters or group of characters before the siege, especially since the film is told from four main perspectives.
The first perspective is told from the hostage negotiator, Max Vernon played by Mark Strong (The Catcher was a Spy). Vernon is severely aware that lives are in his hands and the emotional impact this has on him is one of the stronger aspects of the film. Each of his scenes is appropriately gripping and on edge.
The second perspective follows one of the SAS team leaders, Rusty Firmin played by Jamie Bell (TURN and Skin). Tension builds as he and his team continually prepare to storm the building and the frustration with being called off at the last second numerous times is plain on his face.
The third perspective is a little less intense than the first two as it gives insight into the upper ranks of the political discussions which went on between Billy Whitelaw (Tim Piggot-Smith – Victoria & Abdul) and the unseen Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who makes note of her stance on terrorism. Through this perspective, we also see Ronan Vibert (The Snowman) is noteworthy as the head of MI6, Robert Portal (Collateral) gives an appropriate level of professionalism as SAS Colonel Mike Rose, and Martin Shaw (Inspector George Gently) has little dialogue as Dellow but adds gravitas to the overall proceedings.
The fourth perspective follows news reporter Kate Adie (Abbie Cornish - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Overall, 6 Days (2017) is a solidly made biographical drama that is a surprisingly well accurate global history lesson. The events that transpired over those 6 days and how the British people reacted to this act of terrorism would not be forgotten. The cast could have had better character development but that was also tough considering the number of characters in the film. However, the story is told through four main perspectives which give audiences a chance to see all sides of the story. If you enjoyed 7 Days in Entebbe
"We can't negotiate in the bloody press!"
- Max Vernon
Final Vote
Worth Seeing: 7.2 of 10 star
Worth Buying: 7.2 of 10 stars
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Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard2: Die Harder (1990)
Die Hard with a Vengence (1995)
A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
Hostage (2005)
In the Line of Fire (1993)
Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Live Free Die Hard (2007)
Lockout (2012)
London Has Fallen (2016)
Non-Stop (2014)
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
Shooter (2007)
Speed (1994)
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
Vantage Point (2008)
White House Down (2013)
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