good, but painful

Rating: 8/10 (25 January 2006)

just finished seeing the film this evening , shown on the national TV channel.
just sifting through the commentary to this film, it is only fair to say that no matter where your sympathies lie, historically this was a crucial time in Europe's back yard, where political matters were dealt with so hard handedly with such catastrophic results. Comparing this episode to the massacres like Sharpeville would seem apt indeed. Not only was heavy practices with soldiers scared out their own control being put into use, but also with the jingoism about it as was this the remnants of the Raj in India. News of the Troubles sent shock waves of disbelief through the press in Europe, and as a secondary school pupil intimidated me enormously. The b/w photos of the battlegrounds not very far from me, frightened everybody who had aspirations of a more peaceful world. On this background this film should be viewed, and not be criticized for its lack of proper commentary for the newcomer on the scene, not for its lack of dubbing to a more understandable English. Get on the internet , folks, check out what went on.. The film has has the smell of fear and confusion and the sheer frenzy on the part of the soldiers is being forcefully onto the screen.. - and and should rightly be recognized for this very quality of portrayal. Save the smell of cordite, I got this smell of fear and utter despair into my living room. Maybe I am prejudiced, I passed through Derry back packing in '79 when the county was in a stable,but unruly state, and was impatiently told by my ride to "get the fokin' cam'ra out of the way, if yer don't want a shot in yer ahrse!" The sight of the armored cars patrolling through the streets in their intimidating everyday business, stuck in my mind, as well as a visit in mid 'nineteens where optimism had worked its way into society in especially Derry. Still the normal , everyday practice of being stopped by random patrols. So ask yourself, on the basis of your own sensations from watching the movie, how would you have reacted in a situation like this.
Consider that one of the origins of this civil unrest was the result of popular demand for proper voting for the Catholics, namely one man, one vote.
and lastly consider how in the name of God, 30 years after these ghastly incidents, no clear and final official and satisfactory conclusion has yet surfaced as to how 14 people were killed and 13 wounded....
and precious few, if any have been coming forward to offer explanations or apologies....