The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)

Written by Paul Laverty
Directed by Ken Loach

The Irish are a tough and storied, clannish bunch, and the story of the start of the IRA is as important as the Bloody Sunday massacre, and this film covers that sentiment, showing the Republican angst against the British soldiers transported to their shores in order to "keep the peace" which they did with bully tactics, extreme force, and even murder.

The story follows two brothers, the promising young doctor Damien (Cillian Murphy) and the dedicated Republican Teddy (Padraic Delaney) and how their two roads intersect on their quest for Irish freedom. Damien is off to London to practice medicine, until the impact of British rule convinces him to stay in Ireland and fight alongside his brother for control of the Irish government.

The story is broad and epic, encapsulating everything about Irish life at the time; the poverty, tragedy and sorrow involved in most lives was a sacrifice for future generations to live in an Irish controlled Ireland where the long arm of England's government has reached them with little positive change. Instead of helping, the British soldiers have become a nuisance to the people of Ireland, and this tragic story follows the people that tried to change that.

Violent, tragic, and honest, The Wind that Shakes the Barley is a love letter to the old ways of Irish life, and the dream that once was. A truly heartbreaking film, it is very true to the spirit of Ireland and the original goals of the IRA. It is a grand film, the costumes, sets, and overall visual design brings the viewer directly to Ireland at the time. Excellent filmmaking, even if the story gets a little doubled-over by the scale of the film and the wandering the plot does in the third act, so it's not a perfect film, but it's a very good film, especially for anyone interested in Irish history.

9.3/10