The Wind That Shakes The Barley

[bandage]

It’s a really powerful film – I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Cillian Murphy guy has been excellent in the few things I’ve seen him in before and is again in this. His brother is played by a Wexford lad called Pádraic Delaney, making his film debut, and he’s superb in it too. Some of the scenes appear to have been done in a single take, almost ad-libbed or what have you – there are instances where they’re almost stumbling over their words – but it adds to the realism in that the characters are kind of grasping to find the right words to portray the weight of their emotions or whatever. There are parts of it that shook me and it gets you thinking too – my great grandfather was due to be executed during those times but was part of a prison break that saved himself and his comrades. We have his medal of honour at home and my late gran once told me a quote of his when his wife asked him not to fight, it was 'to hell with my wife and family, my country comes first' – and the film definitely gains by going for authenticity rather than brash, ott, Hollywood type stuff – but that’s Loach’s style I gather though I haven’t seen any of his other work. I’d highly recommend it. Stirring stuff.

[cully]

bandage, a cracking review and a fantastic story about your great grandfather. i shall make it my business to see it during the week. who'd you go see it with ? were you on a garden gate?

[ironbar1690]

I think it is a very good film as well

[lyonsee]

Agreed, it was excellent, emotional and harrowing. Leaving the line fook ups in was class. Anybody else spot Cillian Murphy's bird stumbling when they left the church that time? The acting was brilliant, the script was brilliant. Want to say more but don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it. Go see it.