This film is a riveting account of people in the Irish Republican Army, an accurate rendering of history portrayed with excellent acting by everyone in it. It was hard to watch due to the violent, sad images and events, but not a film I could stop watching because of those. The savagery that takes place on both sides was clearly juxtaposed with the tenderness of love, loyalty, joy between family and friends and the stark beauty of the Irish countryside. The determination of the people to be free of British control is, of course, truly epic. The revealing of how far people will go for love of their homeland is presented in all of it's gritty, bloody and heroic colors. I was glue to my set and while horrified by the twisted turn of events in the character's lives, I had to see it through to the end. I will not go into anything about the plot or characters, but I will say this, for anyone who is Irish, like I am, or who has a real interest in the history of England and Ireland, this is a must see film. Beautifully cinematography only add to it richness. Just have a box of Kleenex nearby. It was more than enough to make a grown man cry. It enriched my soul, informed my mind and tore my heart out. I loved every minute of it!

Best comedy I've ever seen in my life. From beginning to end I was practically on the floor from laughing. Whether it was when the general was cursing at the men, or when the mother was sining an Irish song, or when that young boy was all up in that cows business ;). I will always think of this movie when deciding what to recommend as a real rib tickler! 5/7, a perfect score for this movie.

The Wind that shake the Barley is a film which was released in 2006 and directed by Ken Loach. The action takes place in Irland in the 1920s. The main character is played by Cillian Murphy. It won the "Palme d'or" at the Cannes festival. It's a war movie that mixes history and drama. The movie begins with a match of hurling between some friends in 1920. After that, the players go back home. The lives in a little hamlet, in the Irish countryside. But there, they are screeching halt by the forces of the British orders. Normally, all public meeting, sport include, are band, because of the war. The forces of British orders ask them about their names and jobs, but one of the Irishes, Micheail, answer in Gaelic, which is a prohibited language. Because of that, he's killed by the forces of British orders. Damien, who wants to become a doctor, must go to London to continue his studies, but the others think it's a treason. The want him in the Irish Republican Army, to revolt, and avenge the death of Micheail. He refuses. To go to London, Damien go to the train station. There, the forces of British orders want the driver go back in the train and drive. But the driver refuse. The soldiers hit him and his assistant. It's thank to that and to the death of Micheail, Damien changes his mind, and join the IRA.... The Wind that shake the barley is a true representation of the Anglo-Irish war and the Irish civil war. It's explained very well. I really liked this movie because you learn a lot of things about the Irish history. It's really interesting. I recommend it to people who want to know things about Ireland's history, and who are not too sensitive, because it's a quite violent movie. But don't worry, it'not too complicated to understand. I'm a french boy I understand all the movie. I hope you will like this movie as much as me. Good watching ! Good bye !

I've read a few reviews about this film and more often than Not there was a debate as to whether it glorifies war and/or the I.R.A., if it should be more pro-British or pro-Irish, if the director is a traitor and so on...I think all these reviews miss the crucial point this movie tries to make - and IMHO delivers quite brilliantly: There are no winners in war, and this rule applies even more when it is a civil war!I really don't get how people can argue about the points mentioned above when the film culminates in a scene where a man has to order the execution of his own brother!?!One thing that bothers me about the IMDb is that users often do not differentiate when they cast their vote - these "binary" votes of either one or ten stars are pretty useless and in my opinion a movie has to be exceptionally well to deserve a rating of even eight stars - but if THIS ONE doesn't deserve the full load of ten stars, no one does!!!Watch this movie, invite friends over and be sure to recommend it to others: I can't imagine that anyone in his or her right mind will dislike it on the basis of ANY political agenda - viewers should be able to cope with something other than a happy ending, though...