Foreign directors have created numerous portrayals of Ireland on film, including several movies on the list. The Quiet Man (1952), widely regarded as a significant film in establishing Irish identity clichés, holds fame as it was directed by John Ford, written by Frank S. Nugent, and starred John Wayne. Some of the renowned ‘Irish’ films were directed by Brits, like The Commitments (1991), The Magdalene Sisters (2002), and The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006). BFI Player offers an excellent documentary on the topic titled “Irish Cinema: Ourselves Alone?” (1996). Want to know more about movies based in Ireland, just keep reading.
The film, entitled Young Cassidy, chronicles O’Casey’s early years in Dublin as an Irish rule opposition activist and his evolution into a prolific writer. The movie also delves into his controversial plays that incited riots at The Abbey Theatre, as well as his various relationships. Notably, Maggie Smith delivers a remarkable performance as Nora, O’Casey’s unlikely love interest, while Julie Christie, Edith Evans, and Michael Redgrave (portraying W.B. Yeats) excel in their supporting roles.
The Quiet Man, a critically acclaimed classic directed by John Ford, won an Oscar. This suggests that Wayne’s performance was indeed satisfactory. In the film, Wayne plays the role of the ‘quiet man,’ an American boxer who returns to his birthplace, an Irish village, where he falls for a beautiful redhead, portrayed by Maureen O’Hara. It’s no surprise that she has red hair, given the Irish setting. If you’re a fan of classic Hollywood movies, The Quiet Man is a must-watch, especially for its stunning cinematic shots of the breathtaking Irish countryside.
Director David Lean presents an epic romance set on the Dingle Peninsula after the 1916 Easter Rising. The story revolves around Rosy Ryan (Sarah Miles, 80), the daughter of a local publican, who is married to the town schoolmaster, Charles Shaugnessy (Robert Mitchum). Complications arise when Rosy engages in a forbidden affair with British officer Maj. Randolph Doryan (Christopher Jones). The scandalous relationship shocks the nationalist townsfolk, making this narrative reminiscent of Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary.
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Stanley Kubrick presents challenges not only to himself but also to his collaborators in the filmmaking process. He filmed Barry Lyndon, a 187-minute long feature, predominantly using natural lighting. Despite its financial failure, this adaptation of a William Makepeace Thackery novel received critical acclaim and is regarded as one of Kubrick’s masterpieces.
Daniel Day-Lewis, aged 65, secured his initial triumph out of three Academy Awards by portraying the role of Christy Brown. Brown, an Irishman afflicted with severe cerebral palsy and limited control over his limbs, was supported by his mother, Bridget, played by fellow Oscar winner Brenda Fricker, aged 77. Determined and courageous, Brown learns to write and paint using his left foot and subsequently publishes an autobiography that becomes the inspiration for the film. Critically acclaimed, this captivating tale of human bravery and resilience, as described by Roger Ebert in his enthusiastic review, places Christy Brown alongside the remarkable Helen Keller.
When Leap Year graced theaters in 2010, it didn’t receive critical acclaim. However, the film’s stunning backdrop is reason alone to give it a chance. As uptight American Amy Adams makes her way to Ireland in hopes of proposing to her boyfriend in Leap Day, she unexpectedly finds herself falling for the charming Irishman Matthew Goode. The endearing chemistry and picturesque countryside will swiftly make you overlook any geographical inaccuracies or cringe-worthy Irish stereotypes that may arise.
Saoirse Ronan often conceals her Irish brogue in many instances, but not in the movie Brooklyn. This period piece narrates the story of a young woman who departs her native Ireland and settles in New York’s Brooklyn. Although the entire film is not set in Ireland, a significant portion takes place there. Notably, the movie received three Oscar nominations, including one for Ronan. Of course, the film is subject to regional restrictions, but now here you can get a VPN browser extension that will easily bypass them. With the help of the addon, you can change your location as you please.
Unemployed North Dubliner Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) brings together a band of hardworking individuals from their rough neighborhood in this beloved cult classic. To their surprise, Rabbitte decided to delve into the realm of 1960s soul music, taking inspiration from artists like Wilson Pickett. He believes that the working-class Dubliners share commonalities with the passionate Black musicians who poured their hearts and souls into the civil rights movement. The band, with its talented musicians performing covers of iconic songs like “In the Midnight Hour” and “Mustang Sally,” features the remarkable lead singer Deco Cuffe (Andrew Strong), who, at just 16 years old during filming, emulates the energy of Joe Cocker.
Although finding the film “Hear My Song” set in Ireland may prove challenging, I still wanted to mention it. Its premise is quite unconventional but fortunately effective: Micky O’Neill, an Irishman, manages a struggling nightclub in Liverpool and endeavors to book Jo Locke, a renowned Irish singer, in order to revive it. Upon realizing that the person he hired was an imposter, Micky O’Neill opts to return to Ireland, seeking the elusive Jo Locke and uncovering the truth behind his disappearance.
Jim Sheridan, a 73-year-old playwright and filmmaker acclaimed for his darker stories like “In the Name of the Father” and “The Boxer,” penned this enthralling family adventure set within the marginalized Irish Travelers subculture. Ossie (portrayed by Ciarán Fitzgerald) and Tito (played by Rúaidhrí Conroy) reside in the Dublin slums alongside their widowed father (Gabriel Byrne, 72), who struggles with alcoholism. Their rather ordinary lives are shaken when their grandfather arrives with a mythical white horse named Tír na nÓg. As the police and a deceitful horse breeder pilfer the beloved steed, the boys embark on a daring journey along the untamed western coast of Ireland to rescue their treasured companion.
Ireland, also known as the Emerald Isle, is famed for leprechauns, Guinness, and countless other treasures. Throughout the years, numerous movies have graced its stunning landscapes. In celebration of Ireland, the finest films set in this enchanting land are reviewed above.
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