Films about the Troubles in Ireland explore the historical and political conflicts that occurred primarily between the late 1960s and 1998. These films shed light on the complex and turbulent times in Northern Ireland, where tensions between the Catholic and Protestant communities led to violence, bombings, and civil unrest. The Troubles had a profound impact on the region, and these films provide a window into the personal stories and struggles of the people affected by this period.
Now, here is a list of films about the Troubles in Ireland:
“Bloody Sunday”, 2001
Director: Paul Greengrass
Directed by Paul Greengrass, this film is based on the events of January 30, 1972, when British soldiers opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry, resulting in the deaths of 14 unarmed civilians. The film follows the events of that fateful day, providing a gripping and emotional account of the tragedy.
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
“In the Name of the Father”, 1993
Director: Jim Sheridan
Directed by Jim Sheridan, this film tells the real-life story of the Guildford Four, a group of individuals wrongfully convicted of carrying out bombings in England during the Troubles. It explores the injustices they faced, the impact on their families, and their fight for justice.
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
“Hunger”, 2009
Director: Steven Hentges
Directed by Steve McQueen, this powerful film portrays the life and death of Bobby Sands, an Irish Republican Army (IRA) member who went on a hunger strike while imprisoned in Northern Ireland. The film delves into Sands' personal journey and the political motivations behind his actions.
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
“The Wind That Shakes the Barley”, 2006
Director: Ken Loach
Directed by Ken Loach, this film takes place during the early 1920s, but it highlights the roots of the Troubles. It follows two brothers who become involved in the Irish War of Independence and the subsequent Irish Civil War, exploring the sacrifices and divisions that arise during these times of conflict.
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
“'71”, 2014
Director: Yann Demange
Directed by Yann Demange, this thrilling film follows a young British soldier who gets separated from his unit during a riot in Belfast in 1971. As he tries to find his way back to safety, he becomes entangled in the dangerous world of paramilitary groups, highlighting the complexities and dangers faced by both sides during 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
These films provide different perspectives and narratives surrounding the Troubles in Ireland, showcasing the human experiences and the impact of political conflicts on individuals and communities. Each film offers a unique lens through which to understand and reflect upon this period of Irish history.
The selection of films about the troubles in Ireland offers a poignant and multifaceted portrayal of the complex political and social issues that have plagued the region. From historical dramas to intimate character studies, these films delve into the human cost of conflict, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring search for peace. Through compelling storytelling and powerful performances, these films shed light on a tumultuous period in Irish history, inviting audiences to engage with the profound struggles and aspirations of the people caught in the midst of the troubles. As a film critic, it's evident that these movies have successfully captured the nuances of a turbulent era and conveyed the universal themes of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of a brighter future.
