Is this how our revolution started?

Rating: 8/10 (17 January 2008)

I cannot watch this film without thinking that this must be the way the American revolution against the British started. If one just believes a small part of this portrayal of the British to be true, then there is ample justification for all revolutions against them. The soldiers in this film would make great customers for Hostel.
Ken Loach tells a great story here about a ragtag band of freedom fighters that go up against the British occupiers.
Cillian Murphy (Red Eye, 28 Days Later...) is excellent as a doctor that joins the IRA after seeing abuse after abuse by the British. Padraic Delaney as Teddy and Orla Fitzgerald as Sinead added immensely to the film.
Of course, the freedom fighters are sold out by their friends, the church and the landowners, and it is many more generations before Ireland can taste freedom.
Barry Ackroyd's cinematography in County Cork was stupendous, as was the fantastic soundtrack.