What’s the story about the Bastille Day movie?
Netflix UK added Bastille Day (renamed The Take) to their collection on July 15, 2023.
It is a 2016 action thriller film directed by James Watkins and written by Watkins and Andrew Baldwin. The film stars Idris Elba, Richard Madden, Charlotte Le Bon, Kelly Reilly, and José Garcia. It follows a young pickpocket named Michael Mason (Madden). A select group of the French Interior Ministry inadvertently frame him for a terrorist attack in Paris. He teams up with a CIA agent named Sean Briar (Elba) to clear his name and bring the corrupt officials to justice.
StudioCanal originally scheduled to release the film in the UK on February 19, 2016, but delayed the release due to the real-life terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015. StudioCanal ultimately released the film in the UK on April 22, 2016. They renamed the film with the title The Take following the real-life Bastille Day attacks that occurred in Nice, France on July 14, 2016.
Bastille Day received mixed reviews from critics. Various critics praised the film’s action sequences and performances, while others criticised its plot and pacing. The film was also a box office disappointment, grossing only $14 million worldwide against a production budget of $4 million.
Despite its mixed reception, Bastille Day / The Take is still an entertaining action thriller with good performances from Elba and Madden. If you’re a fan of the genre, then you might enjoy this film. Just be prepared for potential plot holes and pacing issues.
Here are two additional details about the film:
- The film crew shot the film in Paris, France.
- Richard Madden trained with a real pickpocket in preparation for his role.
Why should I care about this story?
While Bastille Day / The Take is not necessarily an important movie in the grand scheme of things, it is an entertaining action thriller that is worth watching for the following reasons.
First, the film features two great performances from Idris Elba and Richard Madden.
Elba is known for his roles in The Wire, Luther, and Pacific Rim, while Madden is known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Bodyguard. Elba is always good, but he is particularly good in this film as the gruff CIA agent Sean Briar. Madden is also excellent as the young pickpocket Michael Mason. The two actors have great chemistry together, and they make the film much more enjoyable.
Second, the film has great action sequences.
The chase scenes are particularly well-done, and there are loads of gunfire and explosions. If you are a fan of action films, then you will definitely enjoy the action sequences in The Take.
Third, the film is set in Paris, France.
The film crew shot the city of Paris beautifully in the film, and it really adds to the atmosphere of the film. If you have never been to Paris, then this film might give you a good idea of what it is like.
Overall, if you are a fan of Idris Elba, Richard Madden, or action films, then you will probably enjoy this film.
Here are additional reasons why you might want to watch The Take:
- The film explores the themes of terrorism and security in the modern world.
- It features a diverse cast of characters.
- It is a product of its time, and it reflects the concerns and anxieties that were prevalent in the world in 2016.
Whether or not you decide to watch The Take is up to you. But if you are looking for an entertaining action thriller with good performances, then you might want to check this film out.
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