The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2007)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Bleak and uncompromising, but director Ken Loach brightens his film with gorgeous cinematography and tight pacing, and features a fine performance from Cillian Murphy.
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Cast
as Damien O'Donovan
as Teddy O'Donovan
as Dan
as Sinead
as Peggy
as Bernadette
as Micheail
as Micheail
as Rory
as Finbar
as Congo
as Steady Boy
as Kevin
as Chris
as Sean
as Francis
as Sean
as Ned
as Donacha
as Terence
as Tim
as Leo
as Man in Pub
as Volunteer
as Father Denis
as Volunteer
as Volunteer
as Volunteer
as Volunteer
as Volunteer
as Volunteer
as Volunteer
as Volunteer
as Volunteer
as Singer at Wake
as Station Guard
as Stoker
as Policeman
as Man in Pub
as Woman in Search
as Sir John Hamilton
as Julia
as Johnny Gogan
as Elderly Man
as Elderly Woman
as Lily
as Sweeney
as Mrs. Rafferty
as Boy on Bike
as Mother of Sick Child
as Sick Child
as Priest
as Member of Ceilidh Band
as Member of Ceilidh Band
as Member of Ceilidh Band
as Member of Ceilidh Band
as Member of Ceilidh Band
as Newsreel Piano Accompanist
as British Soldier Sergeant at Cottage
as British Soldier Sergeant at Station
as British Soldier Lieutenant
as British Soldier Interrogator
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
as British Soldier
News & Interviews for The Wind That Shakes the Barley
Critic Reviews for The Wind That Shakes the Barley
All Critics (113) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (100) | Rotten (13) | DVD (7)
Gripping, powerful, heart-breaking.
The Wind that Shakes the Barley is a multi-layered story, and the more you see those different aspects, the more you'll enjoy the film.
While this may be a historical piece, it's history told in the vivid present tense.
Raises hard questions about Ireland's uncanny ability to kneecap itself.
[Loach] has made an often handsome, always sobering movie that does what the best movies do: leave us a whole lot less sure about what we ought to think.
[Loach is] the master of the docu-drama or the realist social film, and Wind is one of his masterpieces.
Audience Reviews for The Wind That Shakes the Barley
A pair of working class Irish brothers are caught up in the troubles during the social upheaval caused by the fight for independence in 1920. Set during the same period as Neil Jordan's Michael Collins, The Wind That Shakes The Barley is a far more personal representation of the events depicted; while Jordan concentrated on the political movers and shakers of the period, Loach is far more concerned with the ordinary soldiers on the ground and the divisions that were created by the treaty of 1920. Although it centres around the ordinary working class folk of Ireland, I couldn't help the feeling that we didn't really get to know any of them on a personal level leaving little room for emotional attachments; we saw their political views and passions but learn little of them as people. Although its documentary style is more believable and gives a real sense of "being there" I felt Michael Collins had a stronger centre in the form of Liam Neeson's powerhouse performance and the wider scope had more value as a piece of entertainment. This film is still a powerful window on a tragic piece of Irish history however and if watched in conjunction with Jordan's biopic, makes for a extremely interesting companion piece.
Super Reviewer
This film tackles head on the all-consuming power of an idea and the evolving nature of that idea in the face of reality. Like other films about the liberation movement in Northern Ireland such as Paul Greengrass' Bloody Sunday or Steve McQueen's Hunger, it is brutal, difficult to watch, and enraging. However, even in the face of these atrocities committed by the British, Loach shows that this isn't the timeless battle of good vs. evil, but rather one group of humans subjugating another. The monsters are in many ways innocent themselves and the oppressed are capable of the same barbarism showcased by their oppressors. It is an important film and one that is exceptionally well made.
Super Reviewer
A well-done, powerful story concerning the battle for Ireland amongst the IRA (led by Cillian Murphy) against the power-hungry British during the 1920's. Director Ken Loach picked out some really gorgeous backdrops to film this story, and this add to his overall epic scope concerning the themes of loyalty, freedom, and family. Murphy's wonderful turn can not be understated, as he remains a scrawny but intense hero whose shift in character is handled exceptionally well. The movie overall is not a masterpiece, given it has some slow parts as well as a mega-depressing ending that needed a little more closure. Still a fine film in many respects, and definitely worth a view.
Super Reviewer
The Wind That Shakes the Barley Quotes
| Rory: | They're more important than a bunch of fucking groceries! A little clarity in the name of God. |
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