Rent The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)
3.5 of 5 from 473 ratings
2h 1min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Ireland 1920: workers from field and country untie to form volunteer guerrilla armies to face the ruthless "Black and Tan" squads that are being shipped from Britain to block Ireland's bid for independence. Driven by a deep sense of duty and a love for his country, Damien abandons his burgeoning career as a doctor and joins his brother, Teddy, in a dangerous and violent fight for freedom. As the freedom fighters' bold tactics bring the British to breaking point, both sides finally agree to a treaty to end the bloodshed. But, despite the apparent victory, civil war erupts and families who fought side by side, find themselves pitted against one another as sworn enemies, putting their loyalties to the ultimate test. - Actors:
- Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham, Orla Fitzgerald, Mary O'Riordan, Mary Murphy, Laurence Barry, Damien Kearney, Frank Bourke, Myles Horgan, Martin Lucey, Aidan O'Hare, Shane Casey, John Crean, Máirtín de Cógáin, Keith Dunphy, Kieran Hegarty, Gerard Kearney, Shane Nott, Kevin O'Brien
- Directors:
- Ken Loach
- Writers:
- Paul Laverty
- Studio:
- Pathe
- Genres:
- Drama
- Collections:
- 2007, Cinema and the First World War, Memory Lane: Films Set in 1920s, Top 10 Cannes Palme d'Or Winners
- Awards:
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Reviews (4) of The Wind That Shakes the Barley
Ideological and passionate - The Wind That Shakes the Barley review by Tim from London
This film is fully committed to the director's political stance on Ireland - and this is both its great strength and its main flaw. On the one hand it is gripping and driven and the sheer force of the conviction makes this a compelling film. However like many Ken Loach films it is very one sided and lacks subtlety - eg all English people are either toffs or thugs and even the IRA soldiers who supported the treaty are viewed negatively. However on balance I would highly recommend this film if nothing else for its highly committed ideological stance.
5 out of 8 members found this review helpful.
Flawed but worth seeing - The Wind That Shakes the Barley review by Pete W
A film worth seeing - it explores the political situation in Ireland in the 1920s with a war of independence against the British turning into a civil war. The film has a very definite political bias towards the non-Treaty IRA and against the English and the Free Staters. A more even handed approach might have made for a more gripping drama.
3 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
A film to watch - The Wind That Shakes the Barley review by CP Customer
this is a true to life thought provoking film, with a well written script and superb acting,I rate this film highly, a very enjoyable film that I am sure will get many good reviews,with no fear of competition from films of a similar content.
1 out of 2 members found this review helpful.