Bloody Blood Boil

Rating: 8/10 (21 February 2004)

Are you partisan on the issue of the "troubles?" Watching this film will make your blood boil(witness the comments of other viewers regarding this film.) If it is possible, are you non-partisan on the centuries-long struggles in Ireland? Watching this film will make your blood boil anyway--that's the sign of a controversial subject that has exposed in such a manner that each side can identify their rationalizations. As such, "Bloody Sunday" is an excellent film.
The docu-style action is bit tedious in the opening scenes, but the film-making techniques heighten tension in the film even into the final credits. Snappy editing and strong acting performances lend a strong sense of realism--you almost feel you are there.
The story is strong, and based on fact. Herein lies the crux of the somewhat mean-spirited debate among some viewers. Historical facts are sometimes distorted intentionally, which is suggested in the film. But perceptions of facts are more often distorted by the emotions, biases and personal involvement of the participants. In this regard, "Bloody Sunday" does present enough fodder for multiple interpretations of the events leading to the calamitous events depicted in the film. The viewer will have to decide why his/her blood boils after viewing this film.