Ending (spoilers)

I think your post is excellent. I can't reply now but I respomded as a type of 'bump'. Will reply soon.

Your's sincerely, General Joseph Liebgott

babii-g1^


"They had both prioritised nationalistic needs and loyalties over family and friends, they both had blood on their hands and they had both reached the point of no return."


Interesting comment.

Almost an inherent dilemma -- one would think that the actions taken and sacrifices made would revolve around the needs of 'family and friends', but then when placed opposite (?) the 'nationalistic needs and loyalties' you speak of, one wonders if one could always act in a way that would preserve both when going down the various paths these characters did, or would one be (as depicted in this film) forced at some point to choose one over the other, with the ramifications of either choice resulting in some terrible outcome, either way?

I found many 'divides' and 'conflicts' of various natures explored in this film.

I thought this was a very good film and want to see it again.

I, like you, also would like to do some more research about these times in Irish history.


Thanks for your wonderful comments!


"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than..a rude remark or a vulgar action" Blanche DuBois

What else can close love ones say under those terrible circumstances ?

Agree with you the movie and its story, to use your own words, "incredibly devastating", as all wars for independence, against colonialism or imperialism or whatever isms that follows the credo of "might is right", had been, and still is, in some parts of this world today.

I'm Asian and my country's past history is wrought with revolutions against invaders -Spanish, American, Japanese - so we also had sectors of our freedom fighters during those long ago years accepting compromises with the enemies, even collaborating with them, also had to deal with betrayals, disappointments with the members of the church (especially during the Spanish period when the Catholic Church is exclusive for Spaniards). We've regained our freedom mid 40's. Then as now, we had a predominantly Catholic faith, and there are times even today when our clergy comes under fire for their tendency to forget their vows of poverty and chastity, seeing how they would often grace high society functions of the perfumed crowd.

That being the case, I empathize greatly with what the Irish went through before they became a Free State.

I remember about fifteen years ago, I read a novel by Leon Uris - Trinity - about a fictional three families that figured in the history of Ireland (but I wonder, then and even now, maybe Uris has just changed the names and made some modifications in the characters?). The historical background is quite accurate, since I remember researching for facts about the country after reading the book - (not from Wikipedia). When I first read that book, it took me a long time to finish it because there is so much about it that is quite similar with my own country's history, and I had to put it down from time to time. It took me five years later to be able to read it again. Leon Uris said in his book "It was on Easter Monday of 1916 that a terrible beauty was born by a declaration of independence." That Ireland has a "terrible beauty" in its struggles I can quite truly agree with.




Truth inexorably,inscrutably seeks and reveals Itself into the Light.

There must be some mistake, an intelligent and perceptive thread on IMDB. Thank you all for your posts.

Apart from the interpretation you make, which is undoubtedly intended for max dramatic effect, I wonder is Laverty/Loach [L/L] trying to make a contrast between how easy it is to kill people you don't know v how difficult it is when you know them?

Humans have a long way to evolve before we will deserve much respect, as highlighted by that contrast. When a few months bootcamp can turn probably normal people into killers, we haven't advanced too far out of the jungle. It's a point made by many war films, and this one is really much the same, just different location.

It's a raw movie, very well done, but the themes are universal I guess. Ancient Greek theater is full of this kind of family and circle killing, as is Shakespeare et al. The dramatic ploy of getting the audience to ask "Could I kill my [insert relative/friend]?" has a much stronger effect than "Could I kill a guy from another county/country?".

L/L may also be saying that many of us are unaware of the true consequences of our actions until the cold slap of a wet fish appears--such as a broken woman telling you to never appear before her again. Or a different twist, re how easy it is for good people to delude themselves into doing the most evil things, realisation only dawning with wet fish. Of course, many never get wet fished, and are free to bask in perpetual delusion--bomberpilots or missile launchers would probably be good examples, any ranged weapons' operators I guess.