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Season 1 – Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland May 2023 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Unheard testimonies from all sides of the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Critics Reviews

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Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times 08/29/2023
Bluemel shows them in moments of contemplation or hesitation many directors would edit out, but which humanize his subjects, and tell a deeper, ultimately hopeful sort of tale. Go to Full Review John Anderson Wall Street Journal 08/25/2023
What one notices right away during Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland is what’s missing. The punditry. The pontificating. Any artificial effort at arm’s-length analysis or the kind of “balance” that denatures history and memory and anger. Go to Full Review Rachel Cooke New Statesman 08/07/2023
It may be the best television ever made about Northern Ireland. Go to Full Review Eilis O'Hanlon Sunday Independent (Ireland) 06/01/2023
Once Upon A Time In Northern Ireland felt a bit too much in love with its own stylistic quirks. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tim D @RT04044114 11/23/2023 An outstanding historical document of the Northern Ireland troubles from the 1970’s to the late 1990’s. Talking heads of the people who, across the divide, experienced this cauldron of torment. Interspersed with haunting contemporary news footage, non judgmental in presentation and shocking in what it doesn’t say. The comparison with current world events is obvious. Lives ruined. Essential viewing. See more Tania B @RT12654896 11/07/2023 Just bowled me right over, esp episode 3, which really focuses on the human cost of the Troubles. See more Read all reviews
Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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James Bluemel

Director

Sian McIlwaine

Director

Will Anderson

Executive Producer

Andrew Palmer

Executive Producer

Clare Sillery

Executive Producer

Hamish Fergusson

Executive Producer

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 22, 2023 It Wasn't Like a Movie Anymore When tensions between Protestants and Catholics explode, the British Army is deployed. Details Episode 2 Aired May 22, 2023 Do Paramilitaries Lie Awake at Night? In 1972, community divisions deepen and intensify; many working-class Catholic and Protestant communities are in the grip of paramilitary organizations. Details Episode 3 Aired May 22, 2023 So Many Broken Hearts The impact of the IRA hunger strikes is seen through the eyes of three women -- an IRA prisoner's wife, a police officer's wife and a hunger striker's daughter. Details Episode 4 Aired May 22, 2023 The Dirty War Tensions rise as the police and army infiltrate paramilitary organizations to gain intelligence in the late 1980s. Details Episode 5 Aired May 22, 2023 Who Wants to Live Like That? Peace is finally achieved in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement after decades of cyclical violence. Details

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Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland — Season 1

Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland View more photos

Season Info

Director
James Bluemel, Sian McIlwaine
Executive Producer
Will Anderson, Andrew Palmer, Clare Sillery, Hamish Fergusson, Eddie Doyle, Mary McKeagney
Network
BBC
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
British English
Release Date
May 22, 2023