Producers defend IRA informant drama

Two co-producers behind Fifty Dead Men Walking have defended the new film against criticism from the former IRA infiltrator and informant whose life story inspired their movie.

"Any queries relating to the legitimacy of the film are unfounded and that due process has been followed throughout the production," according to a joint statement from Future Films and HandMade Films International.

Though producers did license Martin McGartland's Fifty Dead Men Walking as their source material, the movie is inspired by the memoir and not a precise representation of his life, the production houses added.

"Mr. McGartland was consulted by the filmmakers during the production, read the script, and watched the film in advance of any public screening. He was also given the opportunity to have the name of the lead character replaced with a fictional character name, which he declined."

The film will proceed as scheduled for its Sept. 10 gala screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, with its Canadian screenwriter, director and co-producer Kari Skogland in attendance, along with stars Ben Kingsley, Jim Sturgess and Kevin Zegers.

Last week, McGartland threatened legal action against theproducers, saying the film is "an entirely false and distorted account" of his life story.

McGartland was an informer in Belfast working for British authorities in the 1980s. He infiltrated the IRA in 1989 and his tips helped foil a host of murders and bombings. However, his cover was blown in 1991 and he was kidnapped and interrogated. He managed to escape and continues to live under an assumed identity.