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The Wind that Shakes the Barley

2006

Ken Loach

Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham, William Ruane ...

7.1

22,766

War. Drama Two Irish brothers join the guerilla armies formed to battle the British Black & Tan squads that tried to prevent Ireland's bid for independence in 1919. Damien and Teddy are brothers. But while the latter is already the leader of a guerrilla squad fighting for the independence of his motherland, Damien, a medical graduate of University College, would rather further his training at the London hospital where he has found a place. ... [+]

	Author	Review
United States	Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer	"Gripping, powerful, heart-breaking. (...) small, passionate, beautifully crafted film. (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"	POS
United States	Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader	"As frequently happens in both Loach films and history, the betrayal of ideals, socialist and otherwise, leaves a harsh aftertaste, which made me feel sadder but not much wiser."	NEU
United States	Jim Emerson rogerebert.com	"As a so-called period film, 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley' feels breathtakingly authentic, but never 'old'. Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd captures the past with fresh painterly detail (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 4)"	POS
United States	Ray Bennett The Hollywood Reporter	"The film looks handsomely authentic, and the familiar characters are engaging, but the story is predictable and the Irish accents are so thick that even English subtitles are required."	NEU
United States	David Denby The New Yorker	"[It] is a beautifully realized work and perhaps Loach’s best film (...) A sombrely beautiful dream of the violent Irish past"	POS
United Kingdom	Geoffrey Macnab Screendaily	"For all the intelligence and craftsmanship the director brings to his material, the film conspicuously fails to tug at the emotions in the way that might have been expected"	NEU
United Kingdom	Jonathan Romney The Independent	"This is Loach's most provocative film in ages, and it's also among his most dramatically compelling."	POS
United Kingdom	Peter Bradshaw The Guardian	"It is not Loach's best film, but it is a fine and powerful drama, with relevant things to say (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United Kingdom	Damon Wise Empire	"A bold attempt to convey a complex situation that captures the anger and tensions of early-20th century Ireland, but falls strangely short on human drama (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"	NEU
United States	Noel Murray AV Club	"Loach and Laverty are still capable of creating moments startling in their naturalism"	POS

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