Revolutions often devour their own children...

Rating: 8/10 (16 February 2014)

All wars and violent revolutions were "created" to solve some serious issues - often they did, but - in turn - brought forth new ones, with all means employed. Families were split and friendships were deprived, enemy figures changed faster that the years and solutions were interpreted according to own judgments and skills. Plus the fact that some people get used to fighting and long-term confrontation are unable to re-enter into "normal" civil life.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a fine example of all this taking place during the Irish War of Independence (1919–1922) and the Irish Civil War (1922–1923) - through the eyes and fate of two brothers, Damien and Teddy O'Donovan, splendidly performed by Cillian Murphy and Pádraic Delaney, respectively. Tensions are maintained up high to the end, accentuated by fierce shooting events, brutal behaviour of the British soldiers and - last but not least - desolate Irish landscape and weather. All this seems realistic even to me who is unaware of those events, and the result is a strong and catchy war drama (according to Ken Loach style) - to be watched alone or in a company of like-minded, and although some women have significant role in the film, it does probably not bespeak contemporary women.