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.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley Photos
Movie Info
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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. |