I heard about this movie when Máirtín de Cógáin (The Fushia Band) was at a Local Celtic Music Festival last May and I just got to see the movie last night. Mairtain plays'Sean', who starts the singing in the prison cell and sings throughout the movie even though he is only on screen a few brief times.
I saw Michael Collins years ago about the same conflict. I believe the Wind That Shakes the Barley is more historically accurate, but both are worth the watching.
Yes, it's a very good film, detailing the 1920-1922 Anglo-Irish War For Independence, treaty and the ensuing Civil War. It is highly historically accurate, and the debate over the treaty did a good job of explicating the conflicting loyalties and issues involved that resulted in the civil war. To fully appreciate the movie some background knowledge of Irish history is really helpful. I'm going to buy a copy for my library.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."" Psalm 91:1-2
"Be what you would seem to be--or, if you'd like it put more simply--Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise." from "Alice in Wonderland"
To fully appreciate the movie some background knowledge of Irish history is really helpful. I'm going to buy a copy for my library.
Seems to be generally available now -- I picked up a copy at Barnes and Noble yesterday. Really one of the best films I've seen in years. Apart from its being an accurate history lesson, the cinematography is heartbreakingly beautiful and the performances are outstanding. A ripping good, sad story.
Oddly enough, one complaint I heard was that the older brother wasn't treated as sympathetically as the Damian character for the predicament they are in at the end, presumably for politically partisan reasons -- the film had a heavy slant, that is, and favored the one over the other. I didn't find that so -- I thought it was quite clear how impossible it was for both of them.
one complaint I heard was that the older brother wasn't treated as sympathetically as the Damian character for the predicament they are in at the end, presumably for politically partisan reasons -- the film had a heavy slant, that is, and favored the one over the other. I didn't find that so -- I thought it was quite clear how impossible it was for both of them.
I didn't think so, either; while the perspective is that of the main protagonist (Damien), a Volunteer, I thought that it presented the treaty issue in a pretty well-balanced, in-depth manner; as you say; an impossible situation, a choice that anyone would hate to be forced to make.
I finally got to see this film and I thought it was the best film I have seen in a long time. I am glad to know it was acurate. I wouldn't suggest it for young children. I will be buying this one.
I picked up the movie "the Wind That Shakes the Barley" last night at Barnes and Noble. I plan on trying to watch it this weekend - depending on how I feel after the Stone Mountain Games.
Jennie
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