The Crying Game (1992)
The Movie: Set around the time of the Irish Troubles, Crying Game follows IRA member Fergus (Stephen Rea), who kidnaps British soldier Jody (Forest Whitaker) with the help of IRA terrorist Jude (Miranda Richardson). After dispatching with Jody, Fergus meets his girlfriend Dil and begins to fall for her. A fascinating study in gender and sexuality.
Vision Of Ireland: Sexually ambiguous.
The Flight Of The Doves (1971)
The Movie: An old gem, Doves follows the flight of two Liverpool children from the abusive home of their Uncle to County Galway in Ireland, where their grandmother lives. The children are unaware, though, that theyre the heirs to their grandfathers fortune which will go to their Uncle if they go missing. A peril-filled drama with a great soundtrack.
Vision Of Ireland: A place of sanctuary.
Into The West (1992)
The Movie: Fantasy directed by Mike Newell (and reliably written by Jim Sheridan), Into The West follows two young boys whose Traveller grandfather tells them stories of magic and wonder. When the beautiful white horse that they befriend is stolen, the boys resolve to get him back and embark on a quest that sees them fulfilling their dream to become cowboys.
Vision Of Ireland: Normal on the surface, but fantastical if you scratch a little deeper.
The Devils Own (1997)
The Movie: Alan J. Pakulas final film sees Brad Pitt trying out an Irish accent as Frankie, the son of a Republican sympathiser who was shot to death when Frankie was just a child. Twenty years later, Frankie is a member of the Provisional IRA and running for his life. He runs all the way to New York, where he is put up in the house of police officer Tom O'Meara (Harrison Ford). Though it has its critics, The Devils Own is a solid thriller featuring a great performance by Pitt.
Vision Of Ireland: Living in terror of the IRA.
The Van (1996)
The Movie: More Ireland action from director Stephen Frears, who tracks the story of Brendan Reeves, a newly-redundant baker who decides to buy a van and sell fish and chips for a living. Ireland's success at the 1990 World Cup gets business going well, but Brendans friendship with co-worker Larry is put on the line.
Vision Of Ireland: Good at football.
My Left Foot (1989)
The Movie: The first collaboration between Jim Sheridan and Daniel Day-Lewis, this drama tells the story of Christy Brown, whos born with cerebral palsy and only has control over his left foot. Raised in a working class family, he nonetheless goes on to become a successful writer and artist. Day-Lewis won the Oscar for his portrayal of Brown.
Vision Of Ireland: Able to overcome overwhelming adversity.
Some Mothers Son (1996)
The Movie: Jim Sheridans monopoly on the Irish film landscape continues as he scripts this Helen Mirren vehicle. She plays the mother of a prisoner (John Lynch) who goes on hunger strike during his time at the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland, believing hes being mistreated as a criminal instead of a prisoner of war.
Vision Of Ireland: Populated by strong-willed individuals.
Da (1988)
The Movie: Moving drama based on Hugh Leonards Tony award-winning play. When his Da dies, a New York playwright heads to Ireland in order to attend to the funeral. But returning to his childhood home stirs up memories for Charlie (Martin Sheen), who sees visions of his Das ghost and finds himself reliving scenes from his past.
Vision Of Ireland: Imbued with a grand sense of history.
War Of The Buttons (1994)
The Movie: Joyous kiddie romp that follows two rival kid gangs in Ireland, who battle each other in ever-escalating clashes. Captured kids have their buttons removed as prizes. While the gangs fight, the two leaders discover a resentful admiration for one another. John Roberts film cleverly explores issues of war and its consequences through a light-hearted tale.
Vision Of Ireland: A childs playground.
Hear My Song (1991)
The Movie: BAFTA nominated film directed by actor Peter Chelsom and starring Adrian Dunbar, James Nesbitt, Ned Beatty and Shirley Anne Field. Micky ONeill runs a London nightclub that is going under. When he attempts to book Irish tenor Josef Locke, he finds that hell have to return to Ireland in order to bring Locke back to England himself.
Vision Of Ireland: Perfect for hiding out in if youre evading the taxman.
