LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Netflix next year will release Jadotville, a war film starring 50 Shades Of Gray star Jamie Dornan, the US online entertainment powerhouse said on Monday.

In a statement, the streaming video service said the movie "thrillingly depicts the 1961 siege of a 150-strong Irish UN battalion...by 3,000 Congolese troops led by French and Belgian mercenaries working for mining companies". Dornan is to play the role of Commander Patrick Quinlan, who led the Irish UN troops.

Netflix, which purchased the rights to Jadotville at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival, said in a statement that the film will go into production in April for planned distribution sometime next year.

"The story of how Pat Quinlan led his troops against an overwhelming force without losing a single man is one of the great stories of the 20th century, and we are proud to be working with such a talented and committed team to bring it to life," Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said.

"This film will be an amazing addition to our global original films initiative." Also appearing in the movie is actor-director Guillaume Canet, who directed the 2006 French thriller Tell No One. In Jadotville, Canet plays the role of the French commander who sought to defeat Quinlan and his men.

The movie, to be directed by Richie Smyth, whose resume includes well-known commercials and music videos, will film in Ireland and South Africa, Netflix said.

The world's leading Internet television network, Netflix has over 57 million members in nearly 50 countries, with plans to increase that number to 200 countries, the company has said as it accelerates its global expansion.