Liked it
Ciaran from Dublin, 22 May 2007
A good, effective movie about the actions of a small group of people in the lead up to Irish Independence and the Civil War. Captures the look and feel of Ireland at the time and good characters make this well worth a look.
12 people out of 12 found this review helpful
Shaken up
Andy from Westmeath, 02 May 2007
The Wind That Shakes The Barley is an excellent movie and I highly recommend it. The acting / direction / location and feel of the movie really hit the spot.
However it's not a warm and fuzzy film so be prepared for some tough, violent and possibly upsetting scenes.
Cillian Murphy captures the heroism and in some ways the stupidity of his character perfectly. Liam Cunningham also stood out among the cast.
Well worth watching.
11 people out of 12 found this review helpful
The Wind that shakes the barley
Larragh from Dublin, 10 Aug 2007
While watching this movie I felt as though I was there myself. The story itself was harsh and realistic. I was impressed with there ability to view both angles in a way that allows the viewer to understand each viewpoint.
As this is based on real events, there is obviously no fun in watching it, but it has a very strong effect.
I recommend this movie as it will make you think more about Irish politics.
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful
The painful truth
Chris from Cork, 21 Jun 2007
If it were fiction, one would be excused for thinking that the story is far-fetched - although the characters are fictitious the story isn't. Sadly it is a human story that repeats itself throughout history. A subjugation of any people is not only impossible but also immoral - whoever the perpetrator. A good insight into Ireland's troubled history and the true nature of Empires.
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful
The wind that shakes the barley
Carrieann from Dublin, 27 Sep 2007
Amazing film, Very good and not as intence as i expected
a couple of tears very powerfull movie
4 people out of 5 found this review helpful
The Wind That Shakes The Barley
Barry from Laois, 22 Jun 2007
Excellent Irish Film!!!
4 people out of 5 found this review helpful
hhmmm...could've been better..
John A from Dublin, 09 Dec 2007
I had high hopes for this movie after hearing reviews when it was out in the cinema. It simply didn't deliver. The first half was engaging, but the second half literally lost the plot, was confusing and left the viewer with no real emotional attachment to the characters and what was happening to them. It's also pretty violent, as is the ending, so not exactly a relaxing dvd choice for the weekend.
2 people out of 4 found this review helpful
Excellent, sad , authentic, edge of seat action
Sinead from Dublin, 06 Feb 2012
This is an extraordinary film and one of Loach's best. The sense of place, the authenticity of characters and accents, the excellent acting make this one of the best films I have watched in the last year. Of course the fact that it tells the story of such a sorry chapter in the history of our country makes it an emotional watch also. Although this is fiction, it broadly tells the true story of many experiences of the period (My grandfather and his brother were on opposite sides during the Civil War)
The acting is outstanding and many scenes would stand alone as master classes in their own right. This film captures the desperation and fear and fierce pride and bravery of an empoverished people reluctantly laying aside the normal lives they dreamt for themselves to stand up to a cruel oppressor, characterised by some particularly nasty british army sergeants. It is especially hard to watch in light of the current sorry state of the republic they fought for.
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful