Rent Bloody Sunday (2002)
3.7 of 5 from 109 ratings
1h 45min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- On 30th January 1972, British soldiers shot dead 13 unarmed civilians taking part in an anti-internment civil rights march in Derry, Northern Ireland. This event became known as 'Bloody Sunday', and was a major turning point in the history of the modern Irish troubles, catapulting the conflict into a civil war, driving many young men into the IRA and fueling a 25 year cycle of violence. The film centers around Ivan Cooper (James Nesbitt), who organised the civil rights march, and lived through the horror of the day.
- Actors:
- James Nesbitt, Tim Pigott-Smith, Nicholas Farrell, Allan Gildea, Gerard Crossan, Mary Moulds, Carmel McCallion, Christopher Villiers, James Hewitt, Declan Duddy, Edel Frazer, Joanne Lindsay, Mike Edwards, Gerry Hammond, Jason Stammers, Ken Williams, Bryan Watts, Simon Mann, Rhidian Bridge, Johnny O'Donnell
- Directors:
- Paul Greengrass
- Producers:
- Mark Redhead
- Writers:
- Paul Greengrass
- Studio:
- Optimum
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Drama
- Collections:
- All the Twos: 1972-2012, A Brief History of Film..., Top 10 Golden Bear Winners, Top Films
- Awards:
2002 Berlinale Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
2002 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Audience Award Dramatic #2
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Reviews (2) of Bloody Sunday
Fantastic political drama - Bloody Sunday review by JD
From the perspective of the portrayal of a moment in Northern Irish history that accelerated it towards trouble, this is brilliant and spellbinding. Every point of view is beautifully explored and a very balanced account is given. It is more likely in my opinion to be closer to the truth than the subsequent cover up type "enquiries" so beloved of corrupt modern politicians. Where it is less good in my opinion is as a drama. There are romantic plots which are just so pointless and overshadowed as to be irritating, character build up to engage sympathy and involvement is inadequate and some of the acting of the minor characters is poor. The part of the march from which the film gets its name is however gripping and moving and will touch the hearts of catholics and protestants alike.
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The docu-drama that loudly announced Paul Greengrass's incredible talent to the world - Bloody Sunday review by TB
Coming out of nowhere like a hammerblow, this was a film which, like Saving Private Ryan before it, puts us as the viewer in the very center of the action. Shot with handheld cameras to heighten not only the tension, but also the horror & violence of the nightmare that unfolded on Sunday 30th January 1972, this film shows both sides of the conflict, as well as controversially putting large amounts of the blame onto the British armed forces (I say controversially because the Saville enquiry, which looked at the Bloody Sunday massacre, was not made public until many years after this film was released.)
James Nesbitt is a powerhouse, playing Cooper, an SDLP member and organiser of the march which would become infamous for it's bloodshed. Tim Piggot-Smith also brings huge gravitas as the Major General whose orders end in catastrophe.
But the most credit has to go to Paul Greengrass & his flawless direction. This is a story and project which would have been so easy to get wrong, especially considering the extremely provocative allegations & accusations made towards British forces. But this film is incredible & gripping for every minute I watched it.
Powerful watching & incredible storytelling
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