The Wind That Shakes The Barley

[Gather round]

I thought it was a decent film.

The Tans and Auxis probably deserve the slightly caricatured treatment. Historically, they're generally acknowledged to have been unnecessarily brutal. Brit critics who haven't even seen it should quit whining.

Thing is, almost every point of view and relationship came across a bit superficially. The film was broad and shallow, trying to fit in two detailed stories because each needed the other to fully explain it.

I liked the comic linking scenes as the new regime tried to establish itself.

The old lady (Sinead's granny) may not be a prof actor but she, and the others deserve their €10,000. Terror can often be banal and their slightly hamming it may have showed that better than blowing the entire budget on Meryl Streep or whoever.

7/10

[dahamsta]

Just out of it, thought it was very good. The dodgy dialogue got annoying after a while, but I wouldn't be inclined to put a lot of blame on the actors shoulders for that. Much of it probably was bad acting - the scene at the end was a dead giveaway, Delaney hadn't a clue what he was doing with the bike - and you're bound to get that with a low-budget film, but I'd bet Loach told them to drive on for an air of authenticity.

Real people don't plough through speeches from start to finish like they do in the movies, without hesitating or stuttering or losing their train of thought; particularly not the regular folk being portrayed in this film. But whether it was style-driven or budget-driven, I hope other directors will take note. The picture-perfect and word-perfect claptrap that's thrown at us in a huge majority of the flicks coming from hollywood is just plain annoying.

BTW, in my opinion the ould biddy came across more authentic than many other characters in the film. I wouldn't be surprised if those that were laughing had never met a Cork woman over 40 in their lives! If they do, they'd be wise to keep their mouths shut if they don't want the head eaten off them!

What made me laugh was hearing someone shout "there he is now la". The very idea of hearing someone say "la" in a mainstream film is just the berries like.

adam

[BohsPartisan]

Thought it was excellent. Very similar to Land and Freedom though. Overplayed the Socialist involvement in the Anti-Treaty side I felt, though there was some (I'm a socialist myself before anyone says anything).

[sligobhoy67]

I thought there was great emotion in the "chicken coop" scene. I'd imagine most people with a rural background would know of such folk who aren't the most emotionally articulate...hence I thought it was well acted. Viewers were probably laughing at this scene as it made them feel uncomfortable.

I agree 100% - reminded me of my grandmother - I laugh also but only as a "fair play to her, shes not going to be driven out be anyone" sort of way

Just out of it, thought it was very good. The dodgy dialogue got annoying after a while, but I wouldn't be inclined to put a lot of blame on the actors shoulders for that. Much of it probably was bad acting - the scene at the end was a dead giveaway, Delaney hadn't a clue what he was doing with the bike - and you're bound to get that with a low-budget film, but I'd bet Loach told them to drive on for an air of authenticity.

Real people don't plough through speeches from start to finish like they do in the movies, without hesitating or stuttering or losing their train of thought; particularly not the regular folk being portrayed in this film. But whether it was style-driven or budget-driven, I hope other directors will take note. The picture-perfect and word-perfect claptrap that's thrown at us in a huge majority of the flicks coming from hollywood is just plain annoying.

BTW, in my opinion the ould biddy came across more authentic than many other characters in the film. I wouldn't be surprised if those that were laughing had never met a Cork woman over 40 in their lives! If they do, they'd be wise to keep their mouths shut if they don't want the head eaten off them!

What made me laugh was hearing someone shout "there he is now la". The very idea of hearing someone say "la" in a mainstream film is just the berries like.

adam

Agree 100% - I reckon that they let them plough on.

The only thing I didnt like about the film was that he probably tried to fit too much into one film and therefore it came across as staged and that much of the issues were covered for covering thems sake.

The scene in the room where they were discussing the treaty was so staged and ever view on the treaty was covered in one room in the space of about three minutes.

Some very powerful scenes but there was too much material covered imo

Thought it was excellent. Very similar to Land and Freedom though. Overplayed the Socialist involvement in the Anti-Treaty side I felt, though there was some (I'm a socialist myself before anyone says anything).

Yeah, socialist factor was hammed up quite a bit but then again thats Loach, the guy wakes up to a glass of freshly squeezed commie juice every morning.

P.S. someone said Kes was a crap film - jesus - the young fella had a Kestrel - what more do you want!?!

[Dodge]

P.S. someone said Kes was a crap film - jesus - the young fella had a Kestrel - what more do you want!?!

The football scene to be better

[dahamsta]

he probably tried to fit too much into one film

It was a half-hour too long, the standard 90mins would have been just right. King Kong was guilty of the same type of overreaching.

adam

[BohsPartisan]

Yeah Kes was great too.
A film about The Limerick Soviet would be great. Its a little known event in Irish history and a story worth telling.

http://www.limericksoviet.com

I'm not saying the Socialist element was "Hammed" up, there were Socialists in the republican movement back then, very influenced by connolly etc. I suppose he only focussed on two of these but seeing as they were main charachters it overplayed their influence. The leadership of the anti-treaty side in reality was very far from being socialist.

[dahamsta]

I don't want to download a load of .doc's on spec, any chance of a summary of this Limerick Soviet thing?

adam

[joeSoap]

The Limerick Soviet happened in 1919, and was better known in local terms as the Limerick General Strike. It was a part of Irish history that was very important yet forgotten by many including the education system.

It was the first time, and possibly the only time, that organised Labour challenged Sinn Féin and the IRA for leadership of the increasingly powerful movement for Irish independence from Britain. It identified that Independence would not just be a political thing, but that it would also have huge effects on the social aspect of life as well.

Theres a book called Forgotten Revolution by a chap called Cahill that explains it in far greater detail. Its a good read.

[dahamsta]

Thanks joeSoap.

[joeSoap]

You're welcome

[Passive]

I really liked the film and I thought the acting was superb throughout, especially from Cillian Murphy. The actors did very well in some of the more difficult scenes, such as the one where the entire Flying Column is in a room debating the treaty.

As BohsPartisan said, I thought it overdid the socialist perspective of the anti-treaty side. Anyone who didn't know Irish history would think the Civil War was about economic ideology. But I suppose that Loach for you.

[sligobhoy67]

I really liked the film and I thought the acting was superb throughout, especially from Cillian Murphy. The actors did very well in some of the more difficult scenes, such as the one where the entire Flying Column is in a room debating the treaty.

As BohsPartisan said, I thought it overdid the socialist perspective of the anti-treaty side. Anyone who didn't know Irish history would think the Civil War was about economic ideology. But I suppose that Loach for you.

Like I said Loach drinks commie juice for breakfast and over played the Connolly/Larkin legacy - but I think he tried to get every (possibly too many) perspectives into the film

It was a half-hour too long, the standard 90mins would have been just right. King Kong was guilty of the same type of overreaching.

adam

I agree, plus he didnt really develop the brother relationship/dynamic until too late into the film imo

[BohsPartisan]

Commie juice is nice.

[sligobhoy67]

Commie juice is nice.

nah, too many root vegatables in it for my taste

[bennocelt]

Been pretty heavily criticised not for its political content but for just being quite a poor film especially in USA.

saw the movie ,,, great stuff, another top movie from Ken Loach,
movie isnt about action packed scenes, it has a very important topic to tell us, treaty versus anti- treay, fight for what you have or fight to the end, good stuff

americans wouldnt like it casue they might have to actually think for a change
maybe Superman or some toehr american trash would suit them better

[bennocelt]

explained as

I heard Loach in an Rte interview say that he would not have known what side to take in the Civil War as both sides had valid arguments. He put the responsibility of the war on the terms of the treaty, not near enough for one extreme and just about enough for the other. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

thats pretty much the movie itself? the question of which side would you join if you were there yourself, he gives both sides, but leans for the anti treaty guys
also cillian murphy is awesome

[bennocelt]

No I didn't. It's a turd.

you have to be kidding right?
kes is an alltime classic

[sligobhoy67]

you have to be kidding right?
kes is an alltime classic

I second that!

[Superhoops]

you have to be kidding right?
kes is an alltime classic

Agree wholeheartedly.

Not a Hollywood blockbuster but a brilliant documentary style commentary and insight into a youngster's attempt to escape from the dridgery of the typical North of England social environment of the time.

Great acting by David Bradley, who played the young boy and Colin Welland who played the school teacher.

Loach is a cinematographic genius who films focus on struggles, strife and adversity and are shot in a way that people can relate to in real life.