"Troubles" In Mind

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An interesting Geoffrey Macnab piece in the Independent (dated 3.14) about the best Irish "troubles" films currently viewable on DVD. It includes a chat with Paul Greengrass, who directed one of the very best, Bloody Sunday ('02), which I could never fully understand until the DVD came out with English subtitles.

My favorite Irish conflict fims, in this order: Bloody Sunday, The Informer, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, The Boxer, Michael Collins, Cal, Odd Man Out, The Outsider, A Casualty of War. Two TV movies dealing with this subject/background that I'd very much like to see are Alan Clarke's Contact and Elephant.

comment #1

Aladdin Sane says ...

It's not a foreign language. They're speaking with Irish accents. Sheeeeeeeit, it ain't that hard to understand.

comment #2

calraigh says ...

I agree, Bloody Sunday was an amazing piece.It was also a prime example of how film can be cathartic as it helped give voice to a lot of bystanders who have been haunted by the experience although not physically harmed.The timing of it's broadcast was particularly effective also as the Bloody Sunday Commission had begun to gain momentum.His subsequent 'Omagh' was also a really stellar piece of work.Cal is a particular favourite of mine as I'm a huge fan of Pat O'Connor's work.Although it's not strictly a 'conflict' movie and has more than it's fair share of flaws, not least in Jim Sheridan's direction, In the Name of the Father still remains very much in the national consciousness,and heart.It's probably only due to the celluloid rendering of Gerry Conlon's iconic speech, which literally made the country have a nervous breakdown, north and south, but it's effect was profound.
I have to confess I'm delighted to see this thread, it's interesting to see the opinions ofa buff such as yourself.
In addition, a much better rendering of Michael Collins leadership and the establishment of the free state is to be seen in 'The Treaty', with Brendan Gleeson as a dynamic Collins.It's an RTE tv production but certainly available on DVD.
Just my 2 cent..

comment #3

lazespud says ...

I thought the Crying Game was good. Surprised it wasn't on your list... if a bit traumatizing to my young hetero mind when I first saw it, not knowing the secret...

comment #4

scooterzz says ...

one of the best: 'some mothers son'
probably the worst: 'the devil's own'
just an opinion......

comment #5

lipranzer says ...

As far as Ken Loach movies about "the Troubles" go, I thought HIDDEN AGENDA was much better than THE WIND SHAKES THE BARLEY. The latter is very good in talking about the Irish/British conflict, but falters in the conflict between the brothers.

And I also think THE CRYING GAME and IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER should be on that list as well. Arguably the artistic highs of both directors.

Anyone here see Marcel Ophuls' documentary on Northern Ireland, A SENSE OF LOSS? I'm curious to see it.

comment #6

lionsfan says ...

I don't think, respectfully, that you've apparently seen too many Imovies about the "Troubles," Jeffrey. The best, hands down, is "Omagh," whiich has that amazing performance by Gerard McSorley and also dares take on Gerry Adams for a pleasant change. Second best is probably "Harry's Game," made for British TV and shown here on PBS, probably best known here for the Clannad theme song which has since been used in several commercials.Two sturdy warhorses are "Shake Hands With the Devil" (James Cagney, Don Murray, Dana Wynter at the height of the youthful stage of her beauty, Richard Harris) and "The Night Fighters" (Robert Mitchum and Harris again.) And for pulpy fun there's "Hennessy" with Rod Steiger.

Even "The Long Good Friday might be classified as as sort of an IRA melodrama.

comment #7

lazespud says ...

Totally forgot about In the Name of the Father... that was really great, especially pete postlewait. (sp.?).

I suppose if we're going to go off the reservation, Patriot Games was a pretty good Tom Clancy flick about rogue IRA terrorists...

It probably doesn't belong on any list about The Troubles though!

I agree with lionsfan about Omagh, but I still think that Bloody Sunday was a uniquely great achievement, and Calreigh did a great job of encapslating why it was great.

comment #8

lazespud says ...

Just remembered the IMDB plot keywords function; here's some others that are pretty good but not on Well's list:

Ryan's daughter
The General (Brendan Gleeson's awesomon in that one)
Ronin (about as tenuous a connection as Patriot Games)
The Boxer
Hennesy (don't think it's on DVD, but I really enjoyed it on HBO like 20 years ago; Rod Stieger chews the scenery)
The Quiet Man (very tangentially-related, but a great movie nonetheless, and a singular role for Wayne)

Though I have't seen it, the very first movie about Irish independence listed in the IMDB is another John Ford movie called "the Informer"

comment #9

Dublin101 says ...

I'd have to add some support for Omagh. It's a heartrending film and Gerard McSorley gives a great lead performance as the father who is dealing with his son’s death.

Bloody Sunday and Omagh make a fine double bill and they also document the beginning and the end of the troubles. And they are also artistically successfully films that are well made in their own right. Both are well worth checking out .

Also it's interesting that the best films about the north have been made by English directors. Irish filmmakers have made good Irish films but overall the Irish film industry has failed to make enough good films about Ireland’s political history. And the definitive film (or series of films) about the subject has yet to be made. And they may continue to be unmade. Now that the troubles are (hopefully) finished I doubt that film makers will try to examine the conflict. There seems to be an attitude of leave well enough alone plus there is doubt that audiences are interested. It's a shame.

comment #10

Edward says ...

"Well they fought for poor old Ireland, and full bitter was their fate,
Oh what glorious pride and sorrow, fills the name of ninety-eight!
Yet, thank God, e'en still are beating hearts in manhood burning noon,
Who would follow in their footsteps, at the risin' of the moon
By the rising of the moon, By the rising of the moon
Who would follow in their footsteps, at the risin' of the moon."
--Last stanza of "The Rising of the Moon" by John Keegan “Leo” Casey

--Great thread, thanks Jeff. Thanks everyone.

comment #11

SpinDozer says ...

"Shake Hands With the Devil" (James Cagney, Don Murray, Dana Wynter at the height of the youthful stage of her beauty, Richard Harris) and "The Night Fighters" (Robert Mitchum and Harris again.)

I've always wanted to see 'Devil' as well as Ford's 'The Plough and the Stars'. I wonder if these films will ever be released on DVD?

comment #12

jasonvang says ...

i don't care these things, however, i like girls.
months ago a friend told me a online dating site WEALTHYLOVES.c o m where people can find their perfect matches or quality friendships. ....maybe we can keep in touch and make friends on this site.

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