General Description: Films About the Irish Conflict
Films about the Irish conflict often explore the complex and tumultuous history of Ireland, particularly focusing on events such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland. These films delve into the political, social, and personal ramifications of the conflict, shedding light on the struggles, tragedies, and resilience of the people involved. They provide a platform to examine the historical context, the impact on individuals and communities, and the broader implications of the Irish conflict.
Films About the Irish Conflict
“The Wind That Shakes the Barley”, 2006
Director: Ken Loach
Directed by Ken Loach, this film portrays the story of two brothers who join the Irish Republican Army to fight for independence during the Irish War of Independence and the subsequent Civil War. The movie delves into the complexities of the conflict and its impact on personal relationships and ideals.
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Pádraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham, Orla Fitzgerald, Mary O'Riordan, Mary Murphy, Laurence Barry, Damien Kearney, Frank Bourke, Myles Horgan, Martin Lucey, Aidan O'Hare, Shane Casey, John Crean, Máirtín de Cógáin, Keith Dunphy, Kiernan Hegarty, Gerard Kearney, Shane Nott, Kevin O'Brien, Gary McCarthy, Tim O'Mahon, Graham Browne, Owen Buckley, Aidan Fitzpatrick, Vince Hannington, Denis Kelleher, Colin McClery, Finbar O'Mahon, John Quinlan, Peggy Lynch, Noel O'Donovan, Peter O'Mahoney, Barry Bourke, Frank O'Sullivan, Diarmuid Ó'Dálaigh, Corina Gough, Roger Allam, Sabrina Barry, William Ruane, Danny Riordan, Peg Crowley, Fiona Lawton, Kieran Aherne, Clare Dineen, Sean McGinley, Tomas OhEalaithe, Nora Lynch, Diarmuid Ní Mheachair, Denis Conway;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, war;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” on the website imdb.com
“Hunger”, 2009
Director: Steven Hentges
Directed by Steve McQueen, “Hunger” depicts the events leading to the 1981 Irish hunger strike, focusing on the experiences of Bobby Sands, an IRA member who led the strike in the Maze Prison. The film provides a harrowing portrayal of the physical and psychological toll of the conflict [[1]](https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/northern-ireland/articles/the-12-best-films-about-the-troubles).
Starring: Lori Heuring, Linden Ashby, Joe Egender, Lea Kohl, Julian Rojas, Bjorn Johnson, Britten Partain, Laura Albyn, John Cooley, Ian Hopper, Kathy Shea, Kayden Sawyer, Yvonne Stancil, Gabe Kittle, David Nicholson;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: horror, action, thriller, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,2;
More information about the film “Hunger” on the website imdb.com
“Bloody Sunday”, 2001
Director: Paul Greengrass
Directed by Paul Greengrass, this film reenacts the events of January 30, 1972, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a peaceful civil rights march in Derry, Northern Ireland. The movie offers a gripping and intense portrayal of the tragic incident and its aftermath [[1]](https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/northern-ireland/articles/the-12-best-films-about-the-troubles).
Starring: James Nesbitt, Allan Gildea, Gerard Crossan, Mary Moulds, Carmel McCallion, Tim Pigott-Smith, Nicholas Farrell, Christopher Villiers, James Hewitt, Declan Duddy, Edel Frazer, Joanne Lindsay, Mike Edwards, Gerry Hammond, Jason Stammers, Ken Williams, Bryan Watts, Simon Mann, Rhidian Bridge, Johnny O'Donnell, David Clayton Rogers, Sean O'Kane, Thomas McEleney, Deirdre Irvine, Gerry Newton, Ross MacDonald, Jim Alexander, James Scott, Grainne Costello, Don Mullan, David Pearse, Charles Oakden, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Gerard McSorley, Bruce Lawrence, Jason Muir, Tim Clark, Matt Ashenden, Daryl Auckland, Rita Hamill, Robert O'Conner, Kevin McCallion, James McLaughlin, Graham Harrison, Oliver Maguire, Darren Healy, Simon Emberley, Raymond Cullen, Tony Bates, Kevin Meehan;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, war, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Bloody Sunday” on the website imdb.com
“'71”, 2014
Director: Yann Demange
Directed by Yann Demange, this film follows a British soldier who becomes separated from his unit during a riot in Belfast at the height of the Troubles. The movie provides a tense and suspenseful depiction of the soldier's struggle to survive in a hostile and divided environment [[1]](https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/northern-ireland/articles/the-12-best-films-about-the-troubles).
Starring: Jack O'Connell, David Wilmot, Sean Harris, Sam Reid, Richard Dormer, Charlie Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Paul Anderson, Martin McCann, Killian Scott, Jack Lowden, Paul Popplewell, Adam Nagaitis, Joshua Hill, Ben Williams-Lee, Jonah Russell, Harry Verity, Peter McNeil O'Connor, Babou Ceesay, James McArdle, Sam Hazeldine, Ben Peel, Andy Moore, Amy Molloy, Valene Kane, Aaron Lynch, Tom Cowling, Gerard Jordan, Denise Gough, Liam McMahon, Aaron Monaghan, Dawn Bradfield, Eabha MacCabe, Corey McKinley, Paul Kennedy, Emmet Kirwan, Barry Barnes, Chris Patrick-Simpson, Terence Keeley, Jim Sturgeon, Cathy White, Pamela Ashton, Paul Bergquist, Lee Bolton, Jonathan Bridge, Calum C. Sutton, Eric Campbell, Michael Degnan, Paul J. Dove, Graeme Ford;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime, war;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “'71” on the website imdb.com
“In the Name of the Father”, 1993
Director: Jim Sheridan
Directed by Jim Sheridan, this film tells the true story of the Guildford Four, a group of people wrongly convicted of bombings carried out by the IRA. The movie explores the impact of wrongful imprisonment on the individuals and their families, shedding light on the broader injustices of the conflict [[1]](https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/northern-ireland/articles/the-12-best-films-about-the-troubles).
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Emma Thompson, John Lynch, Mark Sheppard, Beatie Edney, Frank Harper, Britta Smith, Corin Redgrave, Gerard McSorley, Alison Crosbie, Philip King, Anthony Brophy, Frankie McCafferty, Paul Warriner, Julian Walsh, Stuart Wolfenden, Jo Connor, Karen Carlisle, Seamus Moran, Billy Byrne, Maureen McBride, Jane Nolan, Laurence Griffin, Jason Murtagh, Kelly McKeavney, Joanna Irvine, Fiona Daly, Catherine Dunne, Anna Meegan, Marie Jones, Leah McCullagh, Saffron Burrows, Jamie Harris, Don Baker, Barbara Mulcahy, Mick Tohill, Peter Sheridan Sr., Joe McPartland, Stanley Townsend, Tim Perrin, Tony Denham, Rob Spendlove, Phil Davis, Martin Murphy, Richard Graham, Oliver Maguire, Maurice Kehoe, Rachael Dowling;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “In the Name of the Father” on the website imdb.com
These films offer diverse perspectives on the Irish conflict, capturing the complexities, tragedies, and human experiences associated with this tumultuous period in Irish history.
The films about the Irish conflict have not only depicted the historical and political complexities of the period but have also delved into the deeply personal and emotional experiences of the individuals caught in the turmoil. Through powerful storytelling and compelling characters, these films have brought to light the human cost of the conflict, the resilience of the people, and the enduring hope for peace. From historical dramas to intimate character studies, these films have offered audiences a profound and thought-provoking exploration of a complex and enduring chapter of Irish history.
