The Wind That Shakes the Barley

[Keverian FireCry]

This is an Irish film set in the 1920s, about the beginning of the IRA. It's directed by Ken Loach and stars Cillian Murphey(28 Days Later, Batman Begins, Intermission, Red Eye).

It won the Palm d'Or from the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, which is highest honor of that festival.

I really liked this movie, though I don't know how historically accurate it is. I don't know much about the IRA other than what you read in headlines and from movies like Bloody Sunday, but this film seemed to be somewhat objective in the way they treat the IRA.

It is interesting to see the evolution of the organization as they are driven to more extreme principles. It definitely portrays the Brits as the villains (history backs this up fairly well), but it also does not glorify the IRA. It shows the hope that the organization provided to the people of Ireland as well as the darker, vengeful side that drove them even further.

I'd love to hear what U.K. folks thought of the film, or what they know of the history and how it differs from the film. I would guess that British folk were taught a different version of history than the Irish, etc.

Would love any feedback about the film, or about the history/facts.

...Anyhow this film has my top recommendations. It's a historical drama/thriller that kept my eyes glued to the screen.