X
- 2007
- Not Rated
- IFC First Take
- 2 h 7 m
- 2007
- Not Rated
- IFC First Take
- 2 h 7 m
Summary In this historical drama, two brothers find themselves on opposing sides in Ireland's struggle for freedom from Britain.
Directed By: Ken Loach
Written By: Paul Laverty
- 2007
- Not Rated
- IFC First Take
- 2 h 7 m
- 2007
- Not Rated
- IFC First Take
- 2 h 7 m
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
7.6
Summary In this historical drama, two brothers find themselves on opposing sides in Ireland's struggle for freedom from Britain.
Directed By: Ken Loach
Written By: Paul Laverty
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 30 Critic Reviews
82
93% Positive
28 Reviews
28 Reviews
7% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 30 Critic Reviews
82
93% Positive
28 Reviews
28 Reviews
7% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Takes a chaotic moment in the long history of "the Troubles" and turns it into a keening, air-clearing epic.
Loach hurls us into the fracas, circa 1920, and creates such a vivid sense of the nuts and bolts of guerilla war you almost forget you are watching a period piece. Unlike the epic sweep of Neil Jordan's "Billy Collins," which spoke in a syntax closer to Hollywood's, "The Wind" doesn't paint over its political arguments with a patina of nostalgia.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 42 User Ratings
7.6
83% Positive
35 Ratings
35 Ratings
17% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 42 User Ratings
7.6
83% Positive
35 Ratings
35 Ratings
17% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a war film that is far more than your typical war film. It is dark, yes, but it is deeply emotional and entirely tragic, yet beautiful all the same. From the shots of the lovely Irish countryside to the interactions amongst the characters to the costumes, the film was very much a beautiful one. However, it is the acting and characterization of the characters that really help to make this film a home run. In war films, there is typically a plethora of action with little-to-no character development. However, here, we get both. We are not shielded to the carnage of war as there is plenty of "action", but we also get the emotional trauma that accompanies war in the characters' interactions with one another and their families. Cillian Murphy and cast also kill their roles and really handle this one perfectly, as does the director, Ken Loach. Another strength for the film is the delicacy with which is handles the tension between the British and the Irish. Yes, the British are depicted as evil and unjust, but we are not given a romanticized version of the IRA either. Instead, we see them doing exactly what the British do, but since we are seeing the war through their eyes, we are not angered by their actions. But, by showing them doing exactly what the Brits do, especially at the end, the film allows us to realize that there is no true bad guy and both sides have rotten elements to them. Nobody is truly innocent on either side. At the end of the day though, the violence and trauma depicted effect everybody involved in the war effort, whether directly or indirectly. A beautifully tragic film, The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a very good film. It is not a great one, but it is hard to ask for much more from a film of this kind.
Report
Gripping, powerful, heart-breaking.
That title would suit a melodrama with an emphasis on doomed love, which is not what Loach has crafted. There is a (chaste) love story and plenty of bloodletting. But what engages him and his screenwriter, Paul Laverty, is the growing tension between brother Irish rebels.
There are moments that stir, and it's always lovely, but it's generally too remote to gain hold of you truly.
Intermittently gripping, but overlong.
Atmospheric but pedestrian, it is a retelling of the classic tragedy of all civil wars, from the U.S. to Vietnam to England, where brother is pitched against brother.
Brothers at war - Damien O'Donell sacrifices his possibilities of having a career as a doctor in order to fight for Ireland with his brother during the Irish war of independence in 1920. Outmaneouvered and understaffed by British Black and Tans patrols, they join the Irish republican army with their closest friends. All though significantly outnumbered, they refuse to give away their independence to the United Kingdom and retaliates with unconditional patriotism. As the war increases and lives are lost, Damien falls in love with his childhood friend Sinead, who operates as their informant and provides them with food and artillery. The democracy amongst the inhabitants in Ireland are beginning to doubt their chances against the Brits, and the differences in opinion are about to complicate the relationship between Damien and Teddy.
In "The Wind That Shakes the Barley", the great humanitarian Ken Loach went far back in history to depict the Irish War of independence (1919-1921) and the Irish Civil War (1922-1923). He also moved to new surroundings, and unlike most of his films which are set in cities: "Riff-Raff" (1990), "LadybirdLadybird" (1994), "My Name Is Joe" (1998) and "Ae Fond Kissâ
Report
With Ken Loach as the driving force behind this story nascent nationhood, it's no surprise that the 'occupying force' is treated with very little sensitivity. But, that said, 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley' spends almost equal time examining the implosion of civil war and it effects. It's both a harrowing and beautiful film to watch, with strong performances. Loach's occasional delving into improvised dialogue can sometimes come off as a little like dodgy takes, but for the most part they work here.
Report
Production Company
Sixteen Films,
Matador Pictures,
Regent Capital,
UK Film Council,
Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board,
Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen,
Element Films,
BIM Distribuzione,
EMC Produktion,
Tornasol Films,
Diaphana Distribution,
Pathé Distribution,
Cinéart,
TV3 Television Network Ireland,
Filmcoopi
Release Date Mar 16, 2007
Duration 2 h 7 m
Rating Not Rated
Tagline Winner of the PALME D'OR at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.
Awards
Irish Film and Television Awards
• 3 Wins & 8 Nominations
European Film Awards
• 1 Win & 5 Nominations
British Independent Film Awards
• 4 Nominations
