Film Review: The Wind that shakes the Barley

History often tells us bloody tales. The long historical battle between England and Ireland takes on a pro Irish perspective in this difficult film. I sobbed. I covered my eyes through many scenes. My stomach was tied in knots. I suppose that was the intention to tell the horror faced by the Irish people fighting for their rights. I would like to think that all British soldiers were not as bad as those painted in this film. They were brutal, coarse and unflinching. One soldier did do a good deed by letting some of the Irish prisoners out of jail. They just all seemed too brutal. The young Irish lads were fighting with limited supplies. They had no uniforms. It was all clandestine. If caught they were tortured and murdered. Their women were also maltreated and often their houses burned. It was all horrible to watch from both sides. At one point it appeared there was a treaty. Everyone rejoiced until they realized that England was only offering concessions but the country was still under the allegiance of England. At this point things turned from bad to worse. It pitted Irish brother against Irish brother. I found much of it unbearable to watch. At the same time I realized that war is brutal and does not make for pleasant viewing. I also understood that the young Irish lads were willing to sacrifice everything to get the freedom for their homeland. Isn’t this a battle that is going on in many places in the world today? If you want to learn more about this crisis from one perspective you might find the film fascinating. I was too upset on too many levels to enjoy this film. It is interesting to note that Ken Loach, the director, is British. He has received a lot of criticism for his approach. The film won the Palm D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.