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The Wind that Shakes the Barley
The Wind that Shakes the Barley
8.3
/10
7,601 Ratings

THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY

Directed by Ken Loach
Ireland, United Kingdom, 2006
Drama, War, History

Synopsis

Ireland, 1920: people unite to form volunteer guerrilla armies to face the ruthless “Black and Tan” squads that are being shipped from Britain to block Ireland’s bid for independence. Damien abandons his burgeoning career as a doctor and joins his brother, Teddy, in a violent fight for freedom.

Synopsis

Ireland, 1920: people unite to form volunteer guerrilla armies to face the ruthless “Black and Tan” squads that are being shipped from Britain to block Ireland’s bid for independence. Damien abandons his burgeoning career as a doctor and joins his brother, Teddy, in a violent fight for freedom.

Our take

Social realism luminary Ken Loach won his first Palme d’Or for this uncompromising chronicle of the Irish War of Independence and ensuing Civil War starring Cillian Murphy. A rightfully angry film that explores—in stark and shocking detail—Britain’s amnesic relationship to its violent colonial past.