MovieChat Forums > Far and Away (1992) Discussion > Irish American History

Irish American History

posted 19 years ago by daringandimmortal
20 replies | jump to latest

It's so strange to me that there aren't more movies about Irish history, or even about the Irish in America. There's this, there's Gangs of New York. Irish American history is fascinating and certainly dramatic enough to carry movies. Not to mention there are millions of Irish Americans who are proud of their history, even though most of them don't know much about it except "there was a famine." Why aren't there more? And if there are more than these two, what are they?

[–] Hylander04 19 years ago

Watch Michael, starring Liam Neison. It's pretty good.

[–] Desmond_Crekker 18 years ago

I think german-american history would be also interesting, because 58 million american are of german ancestry, the largest ethnic group in the U.S.! Even outnumbering the irish and english.

[–] Minstrelo 18 years ago

That's certainly an aspect of history that's yet to be sufficiently raped by Hollywood.

I can only suggest that they cast Ashton Kutcher as a young Protestant victim of religious persecution in 18th century Palatinate who makes his way to the new world, only to find... other social problems he had not anticipated, in an hilarious comedy drama!

You're pretty low, Riddick Bowe!

[–] gaelic-freak 18 years ago

I loved this movie and I'm angry that there aren't lots of movies about this. We got this, Michael and Gangs of New York. What else have got?

R.I.P. Steve Irwin
CTW-Change The World
The Word of the Day is Legs. Spread the Word.

[–] djbown 18 years ago

Along with Michael, Gangs of New York, and Far and Away, there is the movie, Magdalene Sisters. This is a really good movie that takes place in a sisterhood asylum in Ireland during the 1960's. I thought it was a very good movie, based on a true story, giving insight to the lives of a few young Irish women. This is a rather "dark" picture, but it was interesting and well done. Also, there is the movie, Angela's Ashes which starts off in Brooklyn and proceeds to Limerick, Ireland. This is also based on a true story of a poverty-stricken Irish family in the 1930's- great picture- also not exactly a "pick-me-upper" but a great story. Of course there is the 2005 picture, Cinderella Man, about an Irish-American boxer and his family during the 1920's and 1930's- also based on a true story.

[–] doomdrake7 18 years ago

The Molly Maguires starring Sean Connory and Richard Harris (AKA Dumbledore from the first Harry Potter) was a 1970 movies about Irish coal miners in America. Due to the harsh living conditions, and the constant shaft they get from the mine owners, some of the miners form a sort of terrorist group, "The Molly Maguires". Richard Harris is a detective supposed to infiltrate the group and catch them red handed. I won't ruin the movie for you though.

[–] Kathe75 13 years ago

Thanks, Minstrelo! Best laugh I've had today!

[–] Jerry-137 18 years ago

>> I think german-american history would be also interesting, because 58 million american are of german ancestry, the largest ethnic group in the U.S.! Even outnumbering the irish and english. <<

You got that right and it's not generally known. 20% vs. 16% and 15% respectively. One reason--Many changed their names to more English sounding names to "fit in". This "fitting in" or assimilation required they cast off many of their mores thus few moving tales to recreate.

***************
My favorite: "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb"

[–] angel142001 18 years ago

you mean michael collins, and it's a perfect representation of the man who brought home rule to ireland.

[–] Taibhse 18 years ago

There's loads more Irish American movies. Road To Perdition, Boondock Saints, The Quiet Man, In America, The Brothers McMullen, Monument Ave., The Devil's Own to name a few.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] llblovesejw 18 years ago

Boondock Saints = Awwwesomeeee.

And, as much as I love violence and Irishosity, I would like to see a NOT mob-centered Irish movie. How about one about English oppression and how that drove Irish to America in the early-ons? And how the Irish were depicted as monkeys in early society (which I still don't get)? What about the Irish affect on the Civil War? That would be awesome to see a movie on.

Damn I love history.

Whatev.

[–] tybou3214 18 years ago

What about Braveheart?????

[–] Rex_Rocker 18 years ago

Scottish, and that's not in America, It's England and Scottland.

[–] dragon_x 12 years ago

Kill The Irishman is a movie and its pretty good.

[–] folklorish 18 years ago

yeah that wasn't home rule he brought.

[–] morethanafeeling 18 years ago

there is a really good one called The Departed. I suggest you check it out.

[–] angel142001 18 years ago

Please enlighten me then, as I am incorrect. I was under the impression that Mr. Collins, along with several other men, went to England to negotiate a treaty in which Ireland was able to rule itself. This treaty is known as the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and it was signed on December 6, 1922, and it stated that British troops would remove themselves from most of Ireland, and the twenty-six counties in the de facto Republic of Ireland were to become a self-governing dominion of the British Empire,and although the British monarch would be the head of state for the Irish Free State, Ireland was able to govern itself.

[–] roger-395 17 years ago

Molly McGuires with Sean Connery is a 'corker'!

[–] GrainofSand102 17 years ago

we watched this movie in history class.
I was surprised my teacher selected something as entertaining as this instead of her boring movies.